Pregnancy
week by week -
Week 13,
Must-ask
Questions this Week
(Week 13)
Can my employer
fire me because
I am pregnancy?
Your employer is
unlikely to fire
you outright (it
is against the law)
but you could face
subtler forms of
discrimination in
the workplace. For
example, you might
be passed over for
a promotion because
your management
may think you are
unlikely to return
to your job after
your leave. That
is why you should
familiarize yourself
with company policies
including medical,
fringe benefits
and maternity leave,
and the laws of
your country pertaining
to working pregnant
women.
Under what
circumstances is
it dangerous to
work in this condition?
Most women experiencing
low risk pregnancies
are able to work
throughout their
entire pregnancies
and since job positions
of women are every
bit important, women
tend to work right
to the end if their
health permits.
There are situations
that do not permit
that and pregnant
women are compelled
to make some changes
or switch to other
positions.
Reasons you might
want change in the
job scenario:
• You are
exposed to hazards
such as radiation,
tobacco smoke, oil
based paints, toxic
chemicals etc
• Your job
requires that you
stand for more than
3 hours per day
• Your job
is very physically
demanding
• Your job
involves a lot of
bending, stooping,
stair or ladder
climbing or heavy
lifting
• You work
in an extremely
hot, cold or noisy
environment
• You work
long hours or rotating
shifts When you
put in the request
for a job modification,
be specific on when
you require the
change to be effective,
how the change will
impact you as a
pregnant woman and
what exactly you
are looking for.
You may also want
to submit documentation
like your doctor's
letter to support
your request.
Any tips
on staying comfortable
on the job?
• The biggest
challenge will be
staying comfortable
during you're the
nine month duration
as you find yourself
battling with your
discomforts day
in and day out.
Some tips to tide
you over
• Put your
foot up on a stool
to relieve pressure
on your lower back
• Take regular
breaks from the
PC to avoid being
hard on your body.
Pregnant women are
at an increased
risk of suffering
from carpal tunnel
syndrome - a painful
condition that can
affect the wrist
and lower arms if
a lot of time is
spent at the keyboard
• Keep a glass
of water on your
desk at all times
so that you will
remember to drink
frequently and NEVER
skip meals no matter
how hectic your
day gets
• Take 5 to
10 minutes to catnap
during your break
or lunchtime by
putting your head
on your desk
• Keep stress
to a minimum and
accept any offers
of help. People
love helping a pregnant
woman so don't be
shy if help comes
your way
Some
Basic Pointers
(Week 13)
• Approximately
15% of confirmed
pregnancies end
in miscarriage
• While
sex is considered
safe for women
with low risk
pregnancies, some
women find that
their interest
in sex diminishes
during the first
weeks of pregnancy
when fatigue,
morning sickness
can make sex the
last thing on
your mind
• High stress
levels have been
linked to premature
births and low-birthweight
babies
• Most garden
variety colds
and flus are not
harmful to you
or your baby
• Keep yourself
abreast with laws
governing pregnancy
in your country
and your company's
policies on issues
such as medical,
family and pregnancy
acts
Stretch Marks
Stretch marks
are seen often
and in varying
degrees during
pregnancy. They
appear early or
in the later part
of pregnancy,
usually on the
abdomen, breasts,
hips and buttocks.
After pregnancy
they may fade
to the same color
as the rest of
your skin but
they won't go
away. Gain weight
slowly and steadily
to avoid these
marks. Avoid creams
with steroid content
in it as you can
absorb some of
it into your system
and pass to your
unborn child.
Don't use steroid
creams without
your doctors OK.
There are some
things you can
do to reduce the
severity of these
marks:
• Drink
lots of water
and eat foods
high in antioxidants
such as fruits
and vegetables
that are bright
red, orange or
yellow as these
help in tissue
repair
• Maintain
skin's elasticity
by eating adequate
protein rich foods
and fats in moderation
• Stay out
of the sun
• Keep up
with your exercise
regime
•
Read
Full Article
Your
Nutrition (Week
13)
Caffeine is a
central nervous
system stimulant
found in many
beverages and
foods including
tea, coffee, cola
drinks and chocolates.
Caffeine is also
found in headache
medicines. Research
shows that you
may be more sensitive
to caffeine during
pregnancy comparatively.
High caffeine
intake has been
associated with
low birthweight
babies and a smaller
head size in newborns.
Some researchers
have gone as far
as to say that
caffeine use leads
to miscarriages,
stillbirths and
premature labor.
Cut down on caffeine
or better still
eliminate it from
your diet. Too
many negative
associations i.e.
it crosses to
your placenta
to the baby, it
can affect yours
and your baby's
calcium absorption.
Increased intake
can lead to breathing
problems in your
newborn; if you
are jittery your
baby may suffer
from the same
effects. Breastfed
babies can suffer
from sleeplessness
and irritability.
Since an infant
metabolizes caffeine
at a slower rate
than an adult,
caffeine can collect
in the infant.
Effects of caffeine
on you during
pregnancy may
include irritability,
headaches, stomach
upset, sleeplessness
and jitters. Quit
caffeine use or
limit its consumption.
Read labels on
over-the-counter
medications for
caffeine. Up to
2 cups (not mugs)
of regular coffee
or its equivalent
is probably permissible
as that is less
than 200mg a day.
Still it is a
good idea to stop
consuming caffeine
altogether to
have a healthier
you and a healthy
baby. The list
below gives you
a rough idea on
the amounts of
caffeine from
everyday sources:
| Coffee
5 oz - 60
- 140 mg
and higher |
| Tea
5 oz - 30
- 65 mg |
| Baking
chocolate
1 oz - 25
mg |
| Chocolate
candy 1
oz - 6 mg |
| Soft
drinks 12
oz - 35
- 55 mg |
| Pain
relief tabs
standard
dose - 40
mg |
| Allergy
and cold
remedies
- 25 mg
|
| Pregnancy
Articles
by Category |
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