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Pregnancy and the Workplace |
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Written by Dr Michael Moreton
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Years ago a woman's workplace was in the home, cooking, cleaning, washing and looking after her family. When she was pregnant, with the help of family she was able fairly easily to adjust her life and care for herself during this time. In today's modern world, however, more and more women are working in offices and businesses and for those in HR responsible for working conditions, knowing how to treat a pregnant woman in workplace requires a little thought and planning.
Pregnancy is a natural condition
Pregnancy is not a disease, it is a perfectly normal condition, and most women wish to continue working and to do so as long as it is safe for mother and baby. It is the duty of all those responsible for working conditions to make the work environment as comfortable for the mothers-to-be as possible. Although there are some aspects of being pregnant that may cause a few problems, the happiness of the mother usually is shared by her co-workers making it a celebration of life for them all.
The Stages of Pregnancy: the first three months
The first three months can be difficult; not all mothers have the same symptoms; understanding and patience is needed to support them. Many mothers feel very tired; nausea and occasionally vomiting are also common during the first three months usually improving in the fourth month. Mothers are very sensitive to bad smells. For this and many other reasons they should be provided with a smoke-free area in which to work. They also seem to be more sensitive to temperature and can be particularly uncomfortable if the room is too warm.
The Third Month to the Sixth Month
The second three months is usually better. However, tiredness at the end of the day is a problem and pregnant women should not be asked to work more than eight hours a day. Low back pain which is a feature of late pregnancy can start earlier, the pain is usually not severe but it can be continuous, the mother just cannot find any position in which she is truly comfortable. Be sure that she has an office chair that she likes; one with a good lower back support can be helpful.
The Final Three Months
In the final three months, the baby really grows a great deal; the mother can become HUGE. Her ankles can become puffy and swollen; getting in and out of a chair becomes increasingly difficult and inelegant and trips to the bathroom increase even more. It is really good for the mother and baby if she can lie down for a time during her lunch break. When the mother is lying down, the baby gets a very rich blood supply; it is like feeding the baby. Ideally lying on the left side is the best position.
Hospital Appointments
During the pregnancy the mother will have to take time off for appointments at the hospital, usually every month in the first six months and then more frequently later. At our Clinics at Beijing and Shanghai United Family Hospitals we have an appointment system and try to be as efficient as possible in getting our patients in and out with no delay, but in many hospitals it can take a long time to be seen.
Maternity Leave - when to take it?
How long should a pregnant woman work? This is very difficult and will differ from patient to patient. There are some prefer to work up until the day the baby arrives in order to keep busy while waiting; others may wish to leave early. The regulations give mothers a set amount of time that they can take off - there tend to be variations from company to company and position to position, but the average in the Shanghai area at least is between two and three months. This time can be used either before the baby arrives or after the baby is born. Most mothers like to be at home with their baby as much as possible after baby is here. Unfortunately this means that sometimes they push themselves to work late into pregnancy.
"Although there are some aspects of being pregnant that may cause a few problems, the happiness of the mother usually is shared by her co-workers making it a celebration of life for them all."
Part time work
One option that you and the mother may wish to discuss is the option of part-time work. Many mothers feel that an eight hour day is not possible but may be happy to come in and work for four or five hours a day. This could be good for them and good for the company. My own feeling is that mothers should stop work at least three weeks before the birth so that they can be rested and ready for the birth. A few mothers may be told by their doctors to stop earlier for medical reasons.
Dr Michael Moreton is the Chief of the Obstetrical service at the Shanghai United Family Hospital and is the Senior Medical advisor to both the Beijing and Shanghai United Family Hospitals.
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