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.

become pregnant

natural labor induction 

Natural labor induction

is the artificial starting of labor with the use of pitocin, castor oil, or herbal preparations such as blue or
black cohash. Other methods used to start labor include breaking the amniotic sack (an amniotomy), stripping of the
membranes (separating the membranes of the amniotic sack from the uterine wall), and inserting prostaglandin gel,
or pieces of Misoprostol tablets into the vagina to soften the cervix. The idea is to get labor going artificially, by
starting contractions of the uterus. The most commonly used agent is pitocin, an imitation of the natural hormone,
Oxytocin, which stimulates labor contractions spontaneously. This is administered by an intravenous drip, and the
major side effect is violent and extremely painful contractions of the uterus. Castor Oil is frequently proscribed by
midwives, and causes diarrhea, which can stimulate the body to produce natural oxytocin, and start labor
contractions.

Giving childbirth through this practice as common in the United States, its not so normal on other places.
Interference in a natural process such as birth can cause negative side effects, as well as lead to more risky
interventions. It is important that all pregnant women educate themselves on the pros and cons of all interventions
(medical and otherwise) before agreeing to them.

Many natural labor inductions are performed because women are deemed to be past their due date. The medical community fears
postmaturity syndrome, which means that the baby is past due, the placenta may have started to function less
efficiently, depriving the baby of nutrients, oxygen, and sufficient amniotic fluid. While this is a very serious
condition, it is also rare. Obstetric Myths i’s her book vs. Research Realities, author Henci Goer discusses research
indicating that postmaturity syndrome may actually be caused by Intrauterine Growth Retardation, a disease of
malnutrition or system failure, rather than being overdue. More research needs to be done to confirm this, but it
brings into question the practice of automatically inducing because a woman is considered overdue.
One of the new ways to induce women to have “big” babies its the most recent macrosomia. It is important to
note that methods used to determine a baby’s size can unreliable, measuring up to 2 lbs. off in either direction.
Ove estimate the size of the baby its the most usuall.

A study done in 1993 by Combs, et al, noted that:

“We conclude that elective induction of labor after sonographic diagnosis of macrosomia increases the cesarean rateand does not prevent shoulder dystocia”. Shoulder Dystocia, when a baby’s shoulders get stuck during birth,ususally resolves easily with the use of the Gaskin Manuver (turning the mom on to her hands and knees), andgentle, gradual mother-initiated pushing. Another study done in 1983 by Boyd, et al, showed that an increase of csections for macrosomia did not improve perinatal out comes, yet this is still done frequently. Both Obsteteric
Myths vs. Research Realities by Henci Goer, and Understanding Diagnostic Testing in the Childbearing Year by
Anne Frye, CNM cite important research on this topic.

Next to the increased risk for cesarean surgery, one of the other most common negative side effects is actually the
possibility that the baby will be premature, and unable to sustain life outside the womb. This means that the baby is
born too early, and may suffer serious health and developmental problems. According to a 1990 study published in
the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the average length of pregnancy is actually 41 weeks and one day. This
would extend the overdue period to 43 weeks. Additional reasons commonly given for induction include medical
complications such as pre-eclampsia, diabetes, fetal growth restriction (AKA: intrauterine growth retardation),
oligohydramnios (too little amniotic fluid), and blood incompatibility. Sometimes, however, inductions are done
simply for the convenience of the parents, or medical personnel.

Obstetrics Illustrated lists the following complications of induction: failure to induce effective contractions;
placental separation (abruption); bleeding; prolapse of the cord; infection; pulmonary embolism of amniotic fluid;
poor uterine action; abnormal fetal heart rate patterns; hyperstimulation; rupture of the uterus; water intoxication;
50% increased risk of a cesarean section, and a general trend toward the need for more invasive and risky medical
interventions. This last one is known as the domino theory of obstetrical interventions, in which one intervention
leads to another, and more increasingly invasive, and thus more risky, interventions, and so on, until the woman
ends up with complications that require a cesarean section. It is important that parents also educate themselves
regarding the risks of major surgery, which are numerous, as well as potentially life threatening.

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Become pregnant