Stop exercising if you feel dizzy, have a headache, develop chest pain, have calf pain or swelling, have muscle cramps, or you experience vaginal bleeding, leakage of fluid, contractions or shortness of breath before exertion. Call your healthcare provider with any concerns.
Studies have shown that women who work physically strenuous jobs while pregnant are at a higher risk of potential pregnancy complications. Be straightforward with your healthcare provider about what your job entails so they can help you come up with a plan that makes sense for your situation.
Prolonged standing or heavy lifting can cause an increased chance of miscarriage or preterm delivery (premature birth). Changes in a pregnant woman's hormones impact ligaments and joints in the spine to accommodate the developing baby.
You can certainly overdo any physical activity during pregnancy, whether it's hyper-extending your joints in a prenatal yoga class or pushing yourself too hard in the lap pool. Even walking too much in pregnancy can incur potential risks, such as shortness of breath, strain and pain.
If you are used to being active or very active, it's safe to continue as long as it feels comfortable for you to do so. LIsten to your body and slow down or switch to a different form of exercise if you begin to feel uncomfortable. Aim to be active for at least 150 minutes every week.
Even in your third trimester of pregnancy, bending is still considered safe for your baby. You'll probably find it becomes increasingly difficult for you, though, if not impossible. Apart from your extra body weight, the size of your belly is increasing.
After 26 weeks: There should be no extended work hours, with a 40-hour week being the maximum for the employee/patient. No travel further than 50 miles is allowed.
Therefore, pregnant women can work 40 hours a week if the working conditions are safe for them to do so. If a pregnant employee begins to work over 40 hours a week and is subject to a lot of stress, it could be harmful to their health and the health of their unborn child.
If you work with chemicals, radiation, heavy metals, gases, or biological agents (virus, bacteria, fungus, or parasites) you may need to take extra precautions during pregnancy. Some hazardous agents get into the mother's blood and can pass to the fetus.
With the right approach to handling special work circumstances and support from your doctor for individual health conditions, most women can work through their pregnancies until they're ready to stop or until the baby arrives with no risk to their child's health.
It is recommended that pregnant women stand for no more than four or five hours while taking frequent breaks throughout the workday. Since pregnant women's feet are prone to swelling, it is more important to listen to your body and give your feet the rest that they need.
Exercising or picking up a (reasonably) heavy object—such as a grocery bag, a toddler, or the like—are extremely unlikely to cause a miscarriage. In fact, the ACOG notes that exercise during pregnancy, with your doctor's approval, can have benefits during pregnancy.
Some research has found that being on your feet for long periods can reduce your baby's growth rate and increase the chances of preterm delivery. If you're already at risk for these conditions, your provider might recommend that you avoid prolonged standing.
A common recommendation is to not lift objects heavier than 20 pounds during pregnancy.
When you can start your maternity leave. You can start your maternity leave any day from 11 weeks before your due date. Your maternity leave will start earlier than the date you pick if: your baby comes early, or.
Many women find that 34-36 weeks of pregnancy is an ideal time to start parental leave. So if you want to start parental leave at 36 weeks, you would need to tell your employer about your plans by the time you're 26 weeks pregnant.
Risks of Heavy Lifting During Your Pregnancy
For some women, lifting heavy objects can lead to an increased risk of premature labor and low birth weight. Lifting an object incorrectly, whether heavy or not, can also result in a pulled muscle. A potentially severe complication from heavy lifting is a hernia.
Lifting weights while pregnant can strengthen your abdominal and back muscles, increase your stamina for labor and delivery, and even boost your mood. Before starting any new pregnancy weight lifting routine, check with your doctor: Women who are at risk for preeclampsia or have anemia may need to skip the weights.
Women suffering from symptoms of depression during pregnancy are more likely to sit down for long periods of time in the second trimester, putting them at risk of greater weight gain and contracting gestational diabetes, according to a UK study.
Also, the AMA guidelines do not differentiate weight limits with regard to duration of exposure. Lifting more than 23 kg (51 lbs) is permitted repetitively for the first half of pregnancy (up to Week 20) and intermittently through Week 30. Between Weeks 20 and 24, repetitive lifting up to 23 kg (51 lbs) is permitted.
Shift work and long working hours have been related to menstrual disorders, miscarriages, and preterm birth. Women who work at night, or who work long hours, often do not get enough sleep.