Parenting - Prenatal to preschool/Parenting_PrenatalToPreschool.bin/dp/0041/00413.txt

Text File | 1993-06-14 | 15KB | 254 lines

$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.