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| |    Is it Safe? Your Workplace by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. reviewed by Elizabeth Brandewie, M.D. For women with jobs outside their homes, the workplace can present unique challenges during pregnancy. While most women can work throughout their pregnancies without problems, questions often arise as to what is OK and what may pose some risk. Are computer video display terminals safe or dangerous for the fetus? How much lifting is acceptable? Is standing for long periods of time just tiring or truly bad for you? Are there certain times during pregnancy when some risks are greatest? When do you have to leave your job for the sake of your baby? For information on workplace safety, read on. EXPOSURES: Computer (VDT) terminals Rumors abound about the risks of the electromagnetic field that exists around computer terminals and small amounts of x-ray radiation that they emit, but scientific studies have shown no increase in the risk of miscarriage, birth defects or pregnancy complications from this exposure. Bottom line: no problem here. Infection The workplace can be full of germs?particularly if you are a healthcare worker, daycare provider or teacher. Some infections can be dangerous to the mother-to-be and her baby. The best protection is to be up to date in your immunizations and to practice universal precautions to prevent contact with body secretions. Talk to your doctor or midwife beforehand about the kind of work that you do and the types of infections you may encounter. She can test your blood to see if you are immune to some common illnesses, which may help guide your care if you come in contact with these germs later on in pregnancy. Some infections pose particular problems for pregnant women and their fetuses. Let your doctor or midwife know if you get exposed to a viral infection, like fifth disease, chicken pox, rubella or CMV (cytomegalovirus), to which you may not be immune. And remember: frequent hand washing may be your best protection. Toxic exposures Many agents (chemicals, x-rays and the like) can increase the risk of miscarriage, birth defects or other pregnancy complications. Here is a list of agents, found in some workplaces, which have either been shown or suggested to cause problems for the fetus. You may want to check with your supervisor or union representative to find out specifics about potential exposures at your job.
Standing Prolonged standing and long working hours may increase the risk for preterm birth and poor fetal growth. In numerous research studies, the more adverse her working conditions (for example standing more than 6 hours a day at work, carrying heavy loads, working on an assembly line, performing a physically demanding job) the more likely a woman was to deliver prematurely or have a baby that was smaller than it ought to be. Women who start off pregnancy underweight or who have high blood pressure are at even greater risk, as are women who can't slow down their work pace when they feel they need to. Bottom line: these risks are real. If you have a lot of physical stress at work, talk to your doctor or midwife about your working conditions so you can get personalized advice about how to minimize risks to you and your baby. Sitting all day You might think that sitting most of the day would be a problem, but actually, women who spend some time sitting and some time walking have the lowest prematurity risk of all working women. Sitting for long periods of time though, can be hard on your back. A pillow to support your lower back, or a different chair will sometimes help if you are having pain. If your feet are swollen, try elevating them when you are sitting. Also, sitting still for long periods can allow clots to form in your legs. Take frequent breaks to walk around--your legs, your back and your baby will thank you. Lifting In general, lifting isn't risky for the baby, just for your back. But jobs with repetitive heavy lifting, particularly if you are also on your feet all day, may confer a greater risk of having a premature or small-for-dates baby. Be sure to talk to your doctor about the lifting you need to do at work, and use good body mechanics when you must lift something heavy. Job stress In this age of downsizing and productivity measures, many jobs are very stressful. Evidence suggests that occupations in which a pregnant woman can't pace herself during physical work (like on an assembly line) might increase the chance of preterm birth or poor fetal growth. The data on emotional stress in pregnancy are not as clear-cut. It makes the most sense to try to manage stress effectively, both to protect the baby from possible effects of stress, and to make your life easier and more pleasant. After all, you deserve to enjoy your pregnancy, even if you are having a bad time at work. Travel Does your job require travel? While travel in pregnancy is generally safe, taking special precautions for car and plane trips can help to keep you healthy. If possible, journeys far from home are best saved for the second trimester, when the early pregnancy issues of bleeding or miscarriage are past, and you are unlikely to need medical care. Later in pregnancy, you may want to carry your records with you in case anything comes up that requires medical consultation. International travel to developing areas may not be advisable, particularly if you are likely to get ill or to need medical care. Bottom line: while traveling is usually fine, talk to your doctor or midwife about your travel plans, so you can get an individualized recommendation.
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