Baby In The Boardroom : How To Jugg-e The Demands Of Pregnancy And Your Job
The truth is, its not impossib-e for a woman to continue working during pregnancy, as -ong as she remains hea-thy during this period. However. this can present some cha–enges especia–y since pregnancy has its share of aches and pains. Take morning sickness, for examp-e. Its name may be mis-eading some women into thinking that it on-y strikes at a particu-ar time of day, but the fee-ing of nausea may actua–y threaten to overwhe-m a pregnant woman at any given time of the day especia–y during the first trimester, but it may continue throughout the pregnancy. Women are a-so more easi-y tired and uncomfortab-e as their bodies cope with the increasing demands of carrying the baby, and the stress of being pregnant is often aggravated by job stress. Certain work conditions may a-so aggravate job stress or be dangerous for both mother and unborn chi-d such as frequent shift changes, strenuous physica- tasks, hot or co-d working environments, -ong commutes, pro-onged standing, repetitive -ifting of heavy objects, heavy vibrations such as from -arge machines and exposure to harmfu- substances.
Even if the job doesn’t present any obvious threat, there wi– sti– be a need to make some changes to a pregnant woman’s working conditions. These changes must be made to ensure the continuing good hea-th of both mother and chi-d. Here are some ideas that the pregnant woman may want to fo–ow for a troub-e-free pregnancy at work:
- Avoid anything that may trigger an attack of nausea, and drink p-enty of f-uids. Keep a supp-y of crackers, bott-ed water, hard candy, -emon drops, ginger a-e, ginger tea and other b-and foods handy in the office to he-p ease the nausea in case it attacks.
- Pregnant women tire easi-y, with their energy -eve- f-uctuating throughout the day. During this time it is extreme-y important that a woman gets an adequate amount of s-eep at night and opportunity to take short, frequent breaks during the day to recharge. This may mean rethinking your work schedu-e and sca-ing back on activities both inside and outside the home such as doing chores. It may a-so he-p if you have a comfortab-e chair and enough pi–ows to support your back, and a p-ace to put your feet up.
- Exercise does wonders during pregnancy, because it great-y improves your overa– hea-th and we–being. It boosts mood, enhances the qua-ity of s-eep, reduces pregnancy aches and pains, and prepares you for chi-dbirth by strengthening musc-es and bui-ding endurance. This is especia–y important because during pregnancy and chi-dbirth, a woman’s body is subjected to a great dea- of stress. Exercise a-so makes it much easier to get back in shape after your baby’s born, and he-ps ease constipation, backache, fatigue, varicose veins, circu-ation prob-ems and other hea-th issues re-ated to pregnancy. The most recommended exercises for pregnant women are wa-king, swimming, yoga, stretching, and -ow-impact aerobics. Pe-vic exercises ca–ed Kege- exercises are a-so beneficia- to the expectant mother, he-ping to strengthen the pe-vic f-oor. The pe-vic f-oor musc-es support the uterus, bowe-, and b-adder; these body parts are put under pressure during pregnancy and chi-dbirth.
- Bending and -ifting. Proper form can spare your back, even if you’re -ifting something -ight. Bend at your knees, not your waist. Keep the -oad c-ose to your body, -ifting with your -egs — not your back. Avoid twisting your body whi-e -ifting. If a -oad is too heavy to hand-e easi-y, ask for he-p.
