$Unique_ID{PAR00413} $Pretitle{} $Title{Pregnancy: The First Trimester: Planning And Preparation} $Subtitle{} $Author{ Editors of Consumer Guide Ellis, Jeffrey W Ellis, Maria} $Subject{First Trimester Planning Preparation Work Working Travel job jobs strenuousness hazardous Strain strenuous injury lifting lift swelling feet leg cramps legs cramp Radiation X-ray X-rays X rays Chemicals Chemical Fumes hazards paints painting paint thinners thinner turpentine cleaner cleaners cleaning polish polishing weed killer killers herbicide herbicides fertilizer fertilizers insecticide insecticides dyes organic solvent solvents heavy metals lead mercury gases gas carbon monoxide exhaust Infectious Organisms Complication Complications Policies policy maternity leave Traveling travels Car cars automobile automobiles drive driving airplane airplanes} $Log{} Miracle of Birth The First Trimester: Planning And Preparation Work and Travel During Pregnancy Working Through Pregnancy If you are employed, a natural question to ask during pregnancy is "How long can I work?" In general, a pregnant woman is allowed to continue working until the end of pregnancy unless doing so would be hazardous to either her or her baby. The factors that need to be taken into account when you make this decision include the strenuousness of your job, the possibility of exposure to hazardous substances, your history with previous pregnancies, complications that may exist with your present pregnancy, and policies at your place of employment. Physical Strain A job that involves strenuous physical activity is potentially hazardous because of the greater risk that you may fall down or accidentally get hit in the abdomen. Either of these could injure your uterus and harm the pregnancy. If there is potential for such injury in your job, it is best to either stop working or ask for a change in assignment. Even if your job does not generally involve strenuous activity, however, you'll need to keep an eye out for potentially hazardous situations. Since your change in shape and the added weight of your baby will put increasing strain on your back, you will need to avoid lifting and pushing heavy objects. These activities will probably not hurt your baby, but they may harm your back. Also, if it is ever necessary for you to lift an object--even if it's just a pencil--from the floor, be sure to lower yourself by bending your knees instead of bending your back. Remember, too, that the added weight and bulk will affect your balance and mobility, so you'll need to tread carefully on stairs and newly waxed floors and you'll need to watch out for open file drawers and wobbly furniture. The normal physical changes associated with pregnancy may also make sitting or standing all day uncomfortable. These discomforts are generally not harmful to your pregnancy, but you'll probably need to take steps to relieve them if you plan to continue working. For example, if your work involves long periods of standing, you may experience swelling of your feet or cramps in your legs. If this occurs, support stockings may be helpful. Also, you may find it necessary to take more frequent rest periods so that you can sit down and raise your legs. Long periods of sitting can also cause swelling in your feet. This can often be reduced by elevating your legs on a stool. If hemorrhoids have become a problem, a soft cushion on your chair may provide comfort. Whatever your occupation, you will need adequate periods of rest, since you will fatigue much more easily. Be certain to inform your employer as soon as you know that you are pregnant so that rest periods can be worked into your schedule. Radiation Radiation of all types may be harmful to your developing baby and you must take extreme care to avoid excessive or prolonged exposure, especially during the first trimester. Dental technicians and X-ray technicians are obvious examples of women who may have prolonged radiation exposure. Many industries, however, also use X rays to detect defects in parts and equipment. Therefore, it is important that you check with your employer about the use of radiation in your workplace and discuss ways to avoid exposure, such as leaving the room when X rays are performed or transferring to an area in which radiation is not used. If these protective measures are not possible, you will have to stop working during your pregnancy. Many women today work at computers with display screens for extended periods of time. To date, there is no conclusive evidence that exposure to video display terminals is harmful during pregnancy. Chemicals and Chemical Fumes Chemicals and chemical fumes are all around us; they have become a part of our modern lives. Since we deal with so many of these substances at work and at home, we may forget that some may be potentially dangerous to the developing baby. Unfortunately, at this time, little is known about the hazardous effects of most chemicals on humans. Even less is known about the effects of certain chemicals on the unborn baby. Therefore, as soon as you know you are pregnant, it is extremely important that you ask your employer about any chemicals that may be used in or near your work area. You should also ask about what controls and safeguards are being used for your protection. Make a list of these potential hazards (request specific names of chemicals) and discuss them with your doctor. You have the legal right to ask your employer for this information. Since it is impossible at this time to state that a certain chemical is absolutely safe and another is definitely harmful, it is best while you are pregnant to avoid all chemical exposure if possible. In some cases, this may mean changing your employment, while in others, it may mean wearing rubber gloves or other protective gear. Here are some guidelines to help you avoid hazardous substances at work and at home. - Avoid coming into contact with paints, especially those that are oil based (that includes the paint you were planning to use to paint the baby's room). Also, avoid breathing paint thinners and turpentine. It is well known that these substances will enter your body, as anyone who has ever gotten dizzy after painting knows. Scientists are not certain that these substances are harmful to the developing baby, but then again, they are not certain that they are safe. Since no one can say for sure, avoid painting products. - If you use cleaning and polishing substances in your line of work, always wear rubber gloves when handling them and avoid splashing them onto your skin. Always work in an area with good ventilation to avoid breathing fumes. You may also want to wear a mask over your nose and mouth. - If your job involves farming or working with plants, you maybe exposed to weed killers, fertilizers, and insecticides. Some of these substances may harm your developing baby. You will probably need to change your employment if your work puts you in contact with these substances. - Industrial plants often use dyes and substances called organic solvents during the manufacturing process. These substances are readily absorbed by the body and, in some cases, have been linked to cancer. If you have contact with these substances in your work, it is best to ask for reassignment to a safer area or quit work until after the baby is born. - Industrial plants that make plastics also use substances such as vinyl chloride that are potentially hazardous to the developing baby. Again, if you work in such a setting, it is best to ask for a safer assignment or quit work until after you deliver your baby. - Substances called heavy metals--lead, mercury, and others--have been associated with birth defects. Do not work with these substances during pregnancy. Certain gases and fumes that you may not smell or be aware of can potentially harm the baby. For example, women who work in hospital operating rooms are exposed to gases used in administering anesthetics. Women who work near running automobiles or engines in industrial plants are exposed to carbon monoxide and exhaust fumes. Since little is currently known about the effects of some of these gases and fumes, it is always best to avoid them whenever possible during pregnancy. Infectious Organisms In addition to radiation and chemicals, certain infectious organisms can be harmful to your developing baby. Women who work in settings such as hospitals, laboratories, or research centers may be exposed to a variety of these potentially harmful bacteria and viruses. Since these organisms can enter your body and, in some cases, cross the placenta, the baby can become infected. If you work in such a setting, let your employer know as soon as you suspect that you are pregnant. You will probably need to be reassigned to an area where you will not be exposed to the organisms themselves or to patients who may be infected with them. Complications in Prior Pregnancies Another factor that may influence your ability to work during pregnancy is a history of complications with previous pregnancies. Since these complications could repeat themselves in your present pregnancy, you may need to take special precautions that may conflict with your employment. For example, if you delivered a growth-retarded baby or developed extremely high blood pressure (preeclampsia) during a previous pregnancy, your doctor may advise you to stop working and get as much rest as possible. This may also be true if you previously delivered a premature baby or if you developed serious back problems. If it will be necessary for you to stop work early because you developed complications in a previous pregnancy, your doctor should be able to inform you of this at your first office visit. If so, it is best to let your employer know as soon as possible. Complications in Current Pregnancy Certain problems or complications in your present pregnancy may also force you to stop work early. Women who are carrying more than one baby are generally advised to stop working during their seventh or eighth month. If you have experienced abnormal bleeding or premature labor contractions, or if you have high blood pressure or diabetes, your doctor may also advise you to stop work early. Policies at Work Before you become pregnant, it is probably best to check with your employer about policies regarding pregnancy. For example, check on your insurance coverage for maternity care and the length of time that you can take off from work both before and after delivery of your baby. There are now laws that protect pregnant women from discrimination in employment. In general, employers are required by law to treat pregnancy and childbirth as they do any other physical disability. The "Pregnancy Discrimination Act," which went into effect in 1979, prohibits employers from discriminating against women on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions. To avoid any problems, it is always best to notify your employer as soon as possible about your intention to stop working or about your need for reassignment to a safer area. Traveling for Two Another question that you may ask when you are pregnant is "How far and how long can I safely travel?" Since each pregnancy is unique, it is difficult to establish one policy that would apply to all pregnant women. There are, however, some basic guidelines that do apply to most pregnancies. In general, if your pregnancy has been normal, there is no physical reason why you should not travel. However, since an emergency can occur at any time, it is always best to avoid remote destinations where medical facilities and competent obstetrical care may not be available. During your last month of pregnancy, when labor is most likely, most doctors advise that you travel no farther than one hour's distance away from the hospital where you plan to deliver. If you are experiencing any complications with your current pregnancy, you should discuss any travel plans with your doctor. If you do have permission to travel, it's wise to bring along a list of medical facilities at your destination in case you experience any problems. Traveling by Car Whenever you travel in an automobile, be sure to wear a seat belt with a shoulder restraint. The lap belt should be placed snugly across your hips below the bulge of your abdomen. The shoulder belt should be placed above your abdomen and between your breasts. Never wear a seat belt across your abdomen. Ask your doctor if it is all right for you to drive a car yourself. In most cases, if your pregnancy has been normal, this will be permitted. During your last month of pregnancy, however, you'll probably need to give up the driver's seat, since your large abdomen may make controlling the steering wheel difficult. When traveling long distances by automobile, it is important to make frequent rest stops--at least once every hour--to change position, stretch your legs, and use the rest room. Since it will usually not be possible to elevate your legs during a car trip, you may wish to wear support stockings to prevent your feet from swelling. In addition, since long car trips are fatiguing, even to those who are not pregnant, you may wish to get extra sleep the night before your trip. Traveling by Air In some cases, it may be preferable or necessary to travel by airplane, since the time needed to get to your destination will be shorter. To make your trip more comfortable, try to get a seat on the aisle. This way, you won't have to climb over other people each time you need to use the rest room. Be sure to wear your seat belt snugly across your hips below your abdomen whenever you are seated. You may also want to wear support hose to keep your feet from swelling and place a pillow behind the small of your back to make sitting more comfortable. During your last few months of pregnancy, most airlines will ask to see a letter from your doctor that indicates your due date and states that you are in good health and able to travel. Remember, too, that during your last month of pregnancy, your doctor will probably recommend that you travel no farther than one hour's distance from the hospital in which you intend to deliver.