You think about your baby's safety 24 hours a day — but it's the nine- to-five shift that requires a little extra attention. Here are questions to ask yourself whether you work at a desk or a factory, along with tips to keep you and baby safe.

1. Staying Safe on the Job during Pregnancy
You think about your baby's safety 24 hours a day — but it's the nine-
to-five shift that requires a little extra attention. Here are questions to
ask yourself whether you work at a desk or a factory, along with tips to
keep you and baby safe.
From meeting deadlines or boosting sales to pleasing clients or scoring
a promotion — getting the job done and done well may have always
topped your list of priorities. But now that you're expecting, it's not just
your boss that you need to answer to — it's also that growing baby of
yours. Indeed, circumstances you might encounter during your workday
can play a role in maintaining your healthy pregnancy — and you'll
want to make sure that your nine-to-five job doesn't get in the way of
your 24/7 job of keeping your baby healthy and safe.

2. The good news: Many women successfully juggle work and pregnancy
right up through their third trimester (and in some cases, right up to
labor!), without putting themselves, their baby or their careers at risk.
And chances are, you’ll fall into that category.
Still, some jobs are obviously safer and better suited to pregnant
women than others. Most on-the-job problems can be avoided with the
right precautions or a modification of duties. Here's how to assess your
job situation, know your rights and make smart choices. Ask yourself
these questions and talk to your practitioner about your concerns so
you can determine what’s safe.
1. IS YOUR WORK STRENUOUS?
Jobs that require heavy lifting, long periods on your feet, physical
exertion and excessive overtime may somewhat increase your risks of
miscarriage, preterm delivery and stillbirth. If any of those tasks are
part of your job description, talk the risks over with your practitioner.
Then, if necessary, ask your employer for a transfer, by 20 to 28 weeks,
to a less-taxing position until you return from maternity leave.
2. DO YOU OPERATE HEAVY OR DANGEROUS MACHINERY?
If you have a factory or manufacturing job that has you operating heavy
or dangerous machinery, talk to your boss about changing your position
while you’re pregnant — for your sake and your baby’s. You can also
contact the machinery’s manufacturer (ask for the corporate medical
director) for more information about the product’s safety. Concerns?
Contact the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
office nearest you or the National Institute of Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH).

3. 3. ARE YOU EXPOSED TO HARMFUL CHEMICALS?
You may be exposed to chemicals such as arsenic, carbon monoxide,
lead or dioxin that may put your baby at risk if you work in certain
places, including (among others):
Computer-chip, dry-cleaning or ship-building plants
Rubber or leather factories
Pottery studios
Farms
Printing presses
Toll booths
If you think you might work in a place where you’re exposed to
chemicals, talk to your employer about safer alternatives. If necessary,
make sure your labor organization takes the necessary steps to ensure
your safety. If you’re exposed to potentially harmful chemicals at work,
your employer should have a Material Safety Data Sheet available for
you (it's required by the OSHA). Ask for it and review it with your
doctor.
Not sure what’s in the air? By law, you have the right to know what
chemicals you are exposed to on the job; your employer is obliged to
tell you. The OSHA is the regulatory body that monitors those laws;
contact them for more information on your rights regarding workplace
safety. Further information on workplace hazards can be obtained by
contacting the NIOSH.

4. 4. ARE YOU A HEALTH-CARE WORKER?
Physicians, nurses and medical technicians put their health and safety
at risk every day — it’s part of the job, and it’s required at times to save
people’s lives. But pregnant health-care workers should take extra
precautions, asking for a change of duties if possible in order to avoid
exposure to:
Cancer-fighting drugs (like alkylating and antineoplastic agents)
Radiation
Anesthesia gases
Chemicals used to sterilize equipment (like formaldehyde and ethylene
oxide)
Two more common-sense tips:
Be cautious about X-ray exposure: You don’t have to worry about being
exposed to dangerous levels of radiation with low-dose diagnostic X-
rays. But if you work with higher-dose radiation, wear a special device
to keep track of daily exposure and ensure that the levels of radiation
do not exceed those considered safe. (Contact your union rep or your
human resources director for more detailed info.)
Take extra precautions with hygiene. Be certain to take precautions (as
any health care worker should) when treating patients with diseases
such as HIV, hepatitis B and cytomegalovirus. Gloves, hand washing and
wise judgment are good bets for protecting yourself, as is making sure
all your immunizations are up-to-date.

5. 5. ARE YOU EXPOSED TO OTHER DISEASES?
If you work with animals or meat: You're probably aware of
toxoplasmosis, an infectious disease that can be passed to humans
through feces. If you're not sure whether you're immune to the
disease, ask your practitioner to test you. If you turn out not to be
immune, wear gloves and remember to wash up after work.
If you deal with young kids: Teachers and social workers may come into
contact with infections that can potentially affect pregnancy, such as
chicken pox, fifth disease and CMV. So make sure you’re immunized as
needed and precautions such as washing hands frequently and
thoroughly, wearing protective gloves and a mask, etc.
6. DO YOU SPEND A LOT OF TIME AT A DESK?
Anyone with a desk job knows the pain of stiff necks, eyestrain, wrist
tenderness and headaches — all of which can make a pregnant woman
feel more uncomfortable than she already is. No harm done to baby —
but a lot of wear and tear on your achy body. Some tips to avoid strain:
Stand up frequently. If you spend a lot of time sitting, be sure to stand
up, stretch and walk away from your desk frequently.
Stretch. Take time to stretch your arms, neck and shoulders frequently
while sitting in your chair.
Put your feet up. It will help reduce swelling; try resting your feet on a
low stool or box.
Make your seat more comfortable. Support your back with a cushion,
and use any ergonomic equipment (keyboards, mouse, telephone) that
your company provides. If they don’t have those items, ask whether
you can buy them yourself and get reimbursed.

6. 7. DO YOU SPEND TOO MUCH TIME IN FRONT OF A COMPUTER?
Computer monitors and laptops, which emit very low levels of
radiation, are not a hazard to pregnant women. More worrisome is the
hand, finger and wrist pain that can come from too much typing. If
you’re feeling the twinges of carpal tunnel syndrome:
Type with a soft touch
Make sure your wrists are straight
Keep your hands lower than your elbows
Consider wearing wrist braces when typing
If none of the above seems to help, talk to your practitioner for more
advice.
8. DOES ANYTHING ELSE SEEM RISKY?
Whether you renovate homes or work in a factory, spend your days in a
chemist's lab, hair salon or farm, common sense should always be your
first order of business. So wear protective clothing as appropriate,
including a mask or respirator when necessary. And talk to your
practitioner about your specific circumstances — he or she will be able
to let you know what might be dangerous and what you needn't be
concerned about.