Healthy pregnancy (18)
- Pregnancy nutrition: Healthy-eating basics
- Twin pregnancy: What multiples mean for mom
- Childbirth classes: Get ready for labor and delivery
- see all in Healthy pregnancy
First trimester (7)
- Fetal development: The first trimester
- Prenatal care: First-trimester visits
- First trimester pregnancy: What to expect
- see all in First trimester
Second trimester (7)
- Second trimester pregnancy: What to expect
- Prenatal care: Second-trimester visits
- Fetal development: The second trimester
- see all in Second trimester
Third trimester (9)
- Overdue pregnancy: What to do when baby's overdue
- Third trimester pregnancy: What to expect
- Fetal development: The third trimester
- see all in Third trimester
Pregnancy problems (16)
- Bed rest during pregnancy: Get the facts
- Heart conditions and pregnancy: Know the risks
- High blood pressure and pregnancy: Know the facts
- see all in Pregnancy problems
About our e-newsletters
- Free e-newsletters
- Mayo Clinic expertise
- We do not share your e-mail address
Housecall, our weekly general-interest e-newsletter, keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics with timely, reliable, practical information, recipes, blogs, questions and answers with Mayo Clinic experts and more. Our biweekly topic-specific e-newsletters also include blogs, questions and answers with Mayo Clinic experts, and other useful information that will help you manage your health.
Housecall Archives
Mayo Clinic Housecall
Stay up to date on the latest health information.
What you get
- Free weekly e-newsletter
- Mayo Clinic expertise
- Recipes, tools and other helpful information
- We do not share your e-mail address
continued:
Working during pregnancy: Do's and don'ts
Staying comfortable
As your pregnancy progresses, everyday activities such as sitting and standing can become uncomfortable. Remember those short, frequent breaks to combat fatigue? Moving around every few hours can also ease muscle tension and help prevent fluid buildup in your legs and feet. Try these other strategies, too:
- Sitting. Adjustable armrests, a firm seat and back cushions, and good lower back support can make long hours of sitting much easier — especially as your weight and posture change. If your chair isn't adjustable, improvise. Use a small pillow or cushion to provide extra support for your back.
- Standing. Prolonged standing can cause blood to pool in your legs, which might lead to pain or dizziness. It also puts pressure on your back. If you must stand for long periods of time, put one of your feet up on a footrest, low stool or box. Switch feet every so often, and take frequent breaks. Wear comfortable shoes with good arch support. Consider wearing support hose, too.
- Bending and lifting. Proper form can spare your back, even if you're lifting something light. Bend at your knees, not your waist. Keep the load close to your body, lifting with your legs — not your back. Avoid twisting your body while lifting.
Keeping stress under control
Stress on the job can sap the energy you need to care for yourself and your baby. To minimize workplace stress:
- Take control. Make daily to-do lists and prioritize your tasks. Consider what you can delegate to someone else — or eliminate.
- Talk it out. Share frustrations with a supportive co-worker, friend or loved one.
- Relax. Practice relaxation techniques, such as breathing slowly or imagining yourself in a calm place. Or try a prenatal yoga class, as long as your health care provider says it's OK.
Taking proper job precautions
Certain working conditions might increase your risk of complications during pregnancy — especially if you're at high risk of preterm labor — including:
- Exposure to harmful substances
- Excessive working hours
- Prolonged standing
- Heavy lifting
- Excessive noise
- Heavy vibrations, such as from large machines
- High stress
- Cold work environment
In addition, activities that require agility and good balance might become more difficult later in pregnancy.
If you're concerned about any of these issues, mention it to your health care provider. Together you can decide if you need to take special precautions or modify your work duties during your pregnancy.
Previous page(2 of 2)
- Healthy pregnancy: Dos and don'ts. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/mom-to-be-tools/pregnancy-dos-donts.pdf. Accessed March 30, 2011.
- You and your baby: Prenatal care, labor and delivery, and postpartum care. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/ab005.cfm. Accessed March 30, 2011.
- Morning sickness. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp126.cfm. Accessed March 30, 2011.
- Easing back pain during pregnancy. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp115.cfm. Accessed March 30, 2011.
- Routine prenatal care. Bloomington, Minn.: Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. http://www.icsi.org/prenatal_care_4/prenatal_care__routine__full_version__2.html. Accessed March 30, 2011.
- Croteau A, et al. Work activity in pregnancy, preventive measures, and the risk of preterm delivery. American Journal of Epidemiology. 2007;166:951.
- Fowler JR, et al. Work and pregnancy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 30, 2011.
- How to lift and carry safely. National Safety Council. http://www.nsc.org/news_resources/Resources/Documents/How_to_Lift_and_Carry_Safely.pdf. Accessed March 30, 2011.
- Dietary supplement fact sheet: Iron. National Institutes of Health. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/iron/. Accessed April 1, 2011.
- Kinser P, et al. Prenatal yoga: Guidance for providers and patients. Advance for Nurse Practitioners. 2008;16:59.
Find Mayo Clinic on