PREGNANCY AND WORK

Written by Liza John  

Discovering that you are pregnant may have brought on a wide range of emotions for you and your close ones. You might also have met with questions about your plans for your career now that you are pregnant. Expecting a baby does not mean that you have to put your career on hold.  

In fact, most people have kids right when their careers are taking off and manage their work and pregnancy effectively. The choice is always yours to make, and you will find support on the way. If you ever needed a guide on navigating work while you are expecting, now more than ever, this article is for you.  

Moving Ahead with Your Career 

First things first, your employer cannot give you shorter hours, cut your benefits, keep you from being promoted, or discriminate against you in any manner because you are expecting. Any such actions give you the right to make legal moves against them. When you come across the news that you are pregnant, confirm with your healthcare provider to see if it is safe for you to keep working. Once they give you the green signal, give a heads-up to the HR personnel.  

On the contrary, if your healthcare provider has expressed concern about you going to work, your employer must carry out a risk assessment and check for anything that might affect you adversely. Following this, you can either return to your job or your employer must make arrangements for another safer job with the same pay and benefits for you. Even if you are restricted from work, your employer must put you on paid leave.  

Especially if you are working with X-rays, heavy machinery, animals, or in polluted surroundings, you need to ensure that both your health and the babies are protected at all costs. 

Coping With Pregnancy Symptoms at Work  

No matter how easy your pregnancy can be, it will surely accompany some fatigue and nausea. When you are at work, the pregnancy symptoms can be a little tough on you. Here are some ways to manage your pregnancy symptoms without disrupting your workday. 

The best way to keep nausea at bay while you are working is to stay away from whatever triggers the response in you. For instance, if the smell of food being reheated in the break room is getting to you, look for a place where the smell cannot reach, to work. Even if you try your very best, some amount of morning sickness is going to affect you while you work, during such times, make sure that you have bland snacks like crackers to settle your stomach. Soothing teas, especially ginger tea, can help you to manage bouts of nausea.  

Growing another human within you is bound to take a lot of your energy. As a result, expecting parents feel fatigued all the time. To avoid feeling overly tired, make sure that your diet contains enough iron and protein. Fortified grains, green leafy vegetables, and poultry can replenish your depleting energy reserves.  

Since you are pregnant, you don’t have to give up doing things that you love but make sure that you are not overexerting yourself. Take frequent breaks from whatever you are doing to stretch and keep your circulation going. Otherwise, you will see swollen joints and carpal tunnel syndrome develop.  

Drink lots of fluids and get enough rest. Your employer must make provisions for this.  

Planning For Birth  

Start accepting help from your co-workers. Delegate a few tasks before you start your parental leave, and this way someone can help resolve any accidental absent-mindedness from your side. This is the best way to start planning for your leave of absence. Be sure to notify your employer about your parental leave at least 10 weeks prior and confirm this with them around 4 weeks before you take your time off. 

Ensure that all your tasks are smoothly handed over to your colleagues well before you take your leave. Leaving the delegation for the last minute can give you added stress and make the transition process difficult. Discuss the benefits and other financial questions with your employer before you leave work to prepare for birth. Also, make it a point to plan your return to avoid confusion. 

Final Thoughts  

Work and children are all equally important in one’s life. You need not let go of one in order to achieve the other. While planning to work while you are expecting, make sure to communicate with your employer, medical professional, and family. Most importantly, take it slow and take care of you and your little one’s health.