Mopping, washing clothes, cleaning the floor and other chores which requires you to bend is not recommended during pregnancy. Pregnancy weight gain can cause a marginal shift in the body's centre of gravity and bending during this time can be risky for the sciatic nerve (runs from the lower back to the leg).
Taking proper job precautions
Those working conditions include: Exposure to harmful substances. Prolonged standing. Heavy lifting, climbing or carrying.
A woman with an uncomplicated pregnancy should be allowed to and encouraged to continue working for as long as she chooses. This actually means you can work without interruption until the onset of labor.
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.
But it's important to be aware of symptoms of overexertion in pregnancy and make sure you aren't overdoing it. Overheating is one risk, and symptoms like dizziness, a headache, or chest pain while working out can signal a health problem or pregnancy complication.
Most employers will allow you to have a few days off without a doctor's note, but for longer periods of time they can ask for a doctor's note. If your sickness is pregnancy related, you should ask your doctor or midwife to confirm this in your sick note as this will be important to ensure this time off is disregarded.
Stressful work increases the risks of miscarriage, preterm labor, preterm birth, low birth weight, and preeclampsia. The greater the stress, the greater the risks of pregnancy complications. Women with a history of pregnancy complications should be counseled about reducing stressful work before pregnancy.
Under the Working Time Regulations 1998 you are entitled to at least 20 minutes uninterrupted rest break if you are working more than 6 hours. This should be taken during working time, such as a tea or lunch break, and not at the start or end of the day.
Physical demands at work could increase your chances of miscarriage, preterm birth, or injury during pregnancy.
You can ask your employer about working slightly different hours to avoid times when you feel worse, or working from home on days when the morning sickness is bad. Speak to a GP or midwife if you feel particularly bad or unwell. Read more about vomiting and morning sickness.
You'll be paid statutory maternity pay for up to 39 weeks. It starts when you stop working if that's in the 11 weeks: before your due date. from the date your baby's born (or stillborn after the end of the 24th week of pregnancy)
Sleep should never be seen as a luxury. It's a necessity — especially when you're pregnant. In fact, women who are pregnant need a few more hours of sleep each night or should supplement nighttime sleep with naps during the day, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Employees should report pregnancy-related sickness absences like regular sickness absences. Employers can ask workers to provide a doctor's note confirming that the absence is pregnancy related.
Is it normal to feel tired in pregnancy? It's common to feel tired, or even exhausted, during pregnancy, especially in the first 12 weeks. Hormonal changes at this time can make you feel tired, nauseous and emotional. The only answer is to rest as much as possible.
Avoid shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish, and albacore tuna. Mercury can harm your baby's nervous system. Dry cleaning solvents, pesticides, and paint remover. Fumes from these chemicals can harm your baby.
High blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, epilepsy, thyroid disease, heart or blood disorders, poorly controlled asthma, and infections can increase pregnancy risks. Pregnancy complications. Various complications that develop during pregnancy can pose risks.
Certain uterine conditions or weak cervical tissues (incompetent cervix) might increase the risk of miscarriage. Smoking, alcohol and illicit drugs. Women who smoke during pregnancy have a greater risk of miscarriage than do nonsmokers. Heavy alcohol use and illicit drug use also increase the risk of miscarriage.
Eat breakfast every day. Eat foods high in fiber, and drink fluids (particularly water) to avoid constipation. Avoid alcohol, raw or undercooked fish, fish high in mercury, undercooked meat and poultry, and soft cheeses. Do moderate-intensity aerobic activity at least 150 minutes a week during your pregnancy.
Communicating with your line manager
By law, you don't need to tell your employer you're pregnant until the end of the 15th week before your due date (when you're 25 weeks pregnant). But it's best to tell them as soon as possible, especially if you have physical symptoms like sickness and need their support.
Statutory Maternity Leave
Eligible employees can take up to 52 weeks' maternity leave. The first 26 weeks is known as 'Ordinary Maternity Leave', the last 26 weeks as 'Additional Maternity Leave'. The earliest that leave can be taken is 11 weeks before the expected week of childbirth, unless the baby is born early.
The earliest you can start your maternity leave is usually 11 weeks before your due date. However, even if you decide to work right up until your due date, if you end up taking time off with a pregnancy related illness during your last month of pregnancy, your leave will start then.