Precautions, Remedies During Pregnancy

Precautions, Remedies During Pregnancy

As your pregnancy progresses, everyday activities such as sitting and standing can become uncomfortable. Remember those short, frequent breaks to combat fatigue? Moving around every few hours can also ease muscle tension and help prevent fluid buildup in your legs and feet. Try these other strategies, too:

• Sitting. Using an adjustable chair with good lower back support can make long hours of sitting much easier — especially as your weight and posture change. If your chair isn't adjustable, use a small pillow or cushion to provide extra support for your back. Don't cross your legs.

• Standing. If you must stand for long periods of time, put one of your feet up on a footrest, low stool or box. Switch feet every so often and take frequent breaks. Wear comfortable shoes with good arch support. Consider wearing support hose, too.

• Bending and lifting. Even when you're lifting something light, proper form can spare your back. Bend at your knees, not your waist. Keep the load close to your body, lifting with your legs — not your back. Avoid twisting your body while lifting.

Keeping stress under controlStress on the job can sap the energy you need to care for yourself and your baby. To minimize workplace stress:

• Take control. Make daily to-do lists and prioritize your tasks. Consider what you can delegate to someone else — or eliminate.

• Talk it out. Share frustrations with a supportive co-worker, friend or loved one.

• Relax. Practice relaxation techniques, such as breathing slowly or imagining yourself in a calm place. Or try a prenatal yoga class, as long as your health care provider says it's OK.

Taking proper job precautionsCertain working conditions might increase your risk of complications during pregnancy — especially if you're at high risk of preterm labor — including:

• Exposure to harmful substances

• Prolonged standing

• Heavy lifting, climbing or carrying

• Excessive noise

• Heavy vibrations, such as from large machines

• Extreme temperatures

If you're concerned about any of these issues, mention it to your health care provider. Together you can decide if you need to take special precautions or modify your work duties during your pregnancy.Traveling creates additional concerns if you are pregnant. You have an increased risk of some medical problems, including:

• increased blood clot formation because of prolonged sitting

• exposure to infections

• unexpected miscarriage or pregnancy complications

Avoid long car trips and airplane flights, if possible. If you must travel, stretch your legs and walk around at least every hour or two.Your doctor will generally permit you to travel by air until 32 to 34 weeks, unless you are at high risk for premature labor. After that time, most airlines may not let you board the flight if you appear obviously pregnant because of the possibility of an unexpected delivery on the plane.If you will be away from home for a long time, your doctor may recommend a local doctor where you are visiting for you to contact. Be sure to take a copy of your prenatal records with you.For foreign travel, check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for recommended vaccinations or preventive medications for the area you are visiting.Avoid drinking unpurified water, unpasteurized milk, and inadequately cooked meat or vegetables.Movement is an important sign that the fetus is doing well. As your pregnancy progresses and your fetus gets larger and larger, the type of movement can change. Instead of your fetus punching you or doing flips, the baby may roll more or stick an arm or leg out.Pay attention to these movements. If your fetus is not moving as much as normal, keep track of its movements. Eat a meal and then lie down on your left side. If the fetus does not move 10 times in the next two hours, call your doctor.There are many ways to count fetal movement; ask your doctor how they want you to count. If the fetus is not moving, your doctor will order a nonstress test, a contraction stress test, or a biophysical profile (BPP).Lap and shoulder belts should be worn at all times when riding in a motor vehicle, particularly in the front seat. Being an unrestrained passenger during a major automobile accident is dangerous, whether or not you are pregnant.Generally, women in their third trimester are encouraged not to sleep on their backs. When you are on your back, your heavy uterus can reduce blood flow to the uterus and fetus. Most women aren't comfortable lying flat on their backs during the third trimester anyway. Most experts recommend sleeping on your side.The left side is considered the best choice because the uterus naturally rotates to the right during pregnancy and left-sided lying will bring it more to the center and improve blood flow. A pillow placed between your legs and/or a long body pillow to support your back are often helpful.Pregnancy is usually not affected by most occupations. Particular occupational hazards include prolonged exposure to lead-based paints, working in a poorly ventilated setting with noxious fumes (such as anesthetic gases or volatile chemicals), and unregulated radiation exposure.Before you stop working in a potentially worrisome site, you should check with your supervisor about OSHA (Occupational Safety and Hazards Administration) standards for your workplace. Pregnancy is not a true disability, but if you stop working without a valid statement from your doctor, workmen's compensation for disability pays only a fraction of your normal wages.It may be difficult to change jobs during pregnancy, but you may want to do so before you become pregnant. An understanding employer may reassign you to a position that involves less risk, but employers are not under any obligation to do so.Some obstetrical conditions require bed rest during pregnancy, such as preterm labor, incompetent cervix, placenta previa, and preeclampsia. If you have any of these conditions, your doctor may complete disability forms for you, so that you can take time off from work.There is no medical reason to prohibit working up until delivery, and most women can. Some employers allow time off before your due date. Most employers allow six weeks maternity leave after a vaginal delivery and eight weeks following a cesarean delivery. If you want more time, you may need to use vacation time or take time off without pay.