Published July 2001

For many, it’s business as usual during pregnancy

By Dr. Joan McFadden
Guest Columnist

Issues concerning employment during pregnancy have become increasingly important as more women of childbearing age are participating in the work force. Many pregnant women have questions about the safety of their work environment, what precautions they may need to take and how long they may safely continue working.

The answers to these questions need to be individualized and should be discussed with one’s health-care provider.

For most women in most professions, there is little modification needed in their usual work duties and schedules to accommodate pregnancy. Additionally, it is safe for most women to continue working until their due date.

There are some exceptions to this, and recommendations have developed as a result of research in this area.

Several studies in recent years have shown an association between prolonged standing and walking (in the range of six to eight hours or more per day) with pre-term delivery. However, there also are several studies that have not shown this association.

In general, prolonged standing and strenuous physical work to the point of exhaustion should be minimized or avoided. Work that may increase the risk of falls or trauma also should be avoided.

Some professions have specific risks for the mother and baby. For instance, women who work with small children may be susceptible to certain infections that could be dangerous to a growing fetus. Some health-care workers are at risk for exposure to biologic or infectious agents that could be harmful. Women who work regularly with chemicals or organic solvents should ask their health-care provider about risks associated with those specific agents.

Depending on your role at these types of jobs, your health-care provider may counsel you to modify or reduce your work activities in an attempt to minimize exposures.

For women with pregnancy complications such as hypertension or pre-term contractions or labor, recommendations often are made to reduce strenuous work, hours at work or even to be completely off work until the birth.

Some professions may be more willing than others to make accommodations to the work environment to allow a pregnant employee to continue working. It often helps for the health-care provider to communicate with the employer about accommodations.

Many women are returning to work soon after having their baby. Some assume that they will not be able to breast-feed once they have returned to the work force. However, more women are finding that minor schedule adjustments allow them to take breaks for pumping breast milk. Others have been able to gradually decrease the frequency of lactation to a few times a day. Since breast milk is the optimal nourishment for babies, any schedule adjustments needed that will allow breast-feeding to continue are encouraged.

If you have a concern about working during pregnancy, discuss it with your health-care provider.

Joan McFadden, M.D., is a physician with the Birth and Family Clinic in Edmonds. To schedule an appointment, call 425-640-4950.

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