Counting down days to meet your little one? Motherhood is a new phase. A woman goes through a lot of changes post pregnancy mentally and physically. If you are currently pregnant and working, doesn't mean you have to give up your job to deal with pregnancy.
You can continue your work but with some extra attention. To prevent any health issues during pregnancy while working, you should keep a few things in mind.
We spoke to Dr. Anuradha Sadashivamurthy, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Bangalore (Malleshwarm & Jayanagar and Sahakar Nagar)and asked her to share a few tips for pregnant working women.
It is important for the mother-to-be to consume a healthy diet for her baby. Make sure you carry homemade lunch to work during your pregnancy. To ensure that your lunch is balanced and nutritious, add leafy green vegetables, whole grains to your meals. It is important to consume more folic acid as it helps in boosting the growth of the baby. Add folic acid foods to your diet like avocado, cauliflower, oranges.
Avoid consuming junk food while at work. Completely avoid street food or items which are too high in salt or sugar. It is a good idea to pack along buttermilk and fresh juices.
Morning sickness or nausea is quite common during the first trimester. It usually kicks in the morning and can make it difficult for you to begin your day at work. To beat nausea, munch on snacks through the day. Pack along salad, fruits, biscuits in your lunch box. Consume these snacks when nausea hits. It is also a good idea to keep tamarind balls, amla handy.
Make sure you don't stand for too long at work as it can lead to back and leg pain. Standing for too long also reduces blood flow to the fetus and slows down the baby's growth.
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Pregnancy brings along a lot of stress for the mother-to-be. It feels like an added pressure when you are working. Discuss your stress with your co-workers, managers at work. Let them know how are you feeling and if required asked them for flexbility measures like work from home.
If your is a travel related job, know that the safest time for you to travel is between 14 to 28 weeks. This is the time when first symptoms of pregnancy have faded. Most women aren't too big or uncomfortable during this time. Try to limit your travel time as much as possible. If you have to travel for a longer period, stop often to stretch your legs.
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If your job required pulling, pushing, lifting or any other physical labour, stop right away. This can turn out to be dangerous with your pregnancy symtoms like dizziness and tiredness. Speak to your manager about the same.
It is crucial you take short breaks while at work. Get up and walk around for a few minutes every hour. This will help in improving blood flow in your body. Walking around will also reduce swelling. Take a few minutes off work, put your feet up and keep your eyes closed. This will help you recharge on a heavy work day.
Remember that it isn't easy to work while you are pregnant. However, you will find your way to work-life balance over time. Working will also help you stay active, financially independent.
We hope these tips help you have a happy and safe pregnancy. For more such stories, stay tuned!
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