4 Tips Every Mom Should Know When Working While Pregnant in the Medical Field

It goes without saying that bringing a child into the world is an exciting time for all. Before the newborn arrives, there are lots of changes and adjustments to be taken care of. Remodeling the office for the nursery, maybe buying a bigger car, loading up on diapers and picking out a name are just a few of the many steps parents have to take.

One of the big questions that many mothers face is always a question of work. Is it safe to work all throughout the pregnancy? Should I be resting more? What if my job is a physically demanding job, is that OK

While many women are able to work throughout most of their pregnancy and it is considered safe, others may have to stop just short to go on bed rest or for other reasons.

In the medical profession, a high-demand and potentially high-stress job may seem difficult from the outset, but there are ways to manage your work throughout pregnancy and beyond.

Listen to your Body

Just like in a car, your body can have “check engine” signs go off, warning you to either take a break or stop altogether. While others will certainly be jumping at the bit to give you advice, you’re the best one to manage yourself and make the overall decision. You’re already going to be thinking and worrying about other things, so just take what your body tells you for granted.

If you’re receiving one of those “check engine” signals, don’t be afraid to see if you can work shorter shifts or less strenuous times. See if there’s other things you can do or ways you can continue working without having to sacrifice your whole job. Those working with you are sure to be understanding and reasonable about the situation.

Know the Risks at Your Job

Naturally, you’re going to be surrounded by many potential risks in a hospital or medical practice. One of the big risks is an infection. Working in an emergency department or other similar areas, it’s likely there will be patients with the flu, fevers, both or something else contagious.

One way to take a precaution is to wear a surgical mask at all times, at least protecting you from any initial pathogens. Make sure you’re up to date on all your vaccinations to get that extra layer of protection for you and your growing baby.

With x-rays and other imaging, there is always a lot of radiation running throughout a hospital. Do your best to avoid these areas and make sure your staff knows that you have to stay clear of such areas.

When it comes to manual labor, lifting and moving things might be easier at the beginning of your pregnancy than near the end. You’re already going to be on your feet during your work, but adding in extra physical demands and the fatigue that comes with pregnancy can make it a troubling combination. Once again, see if you can modify your shifts to different hours or fewer hours overall.

Do Your Homework

If you’re taking time off during your pregnancy or planning on moving to a different position, it pays to start planning ahead. While in the job search, you can do some preliminary investigating on the expectations of your new job.

Be sure to look at the hours your job demands, what time off you get and be sure to explain that you are the new mother. If you’re breastfeeding your child, it’s important to realize the above risks still may carry over even though you are not pregnant anymore.

Physical labor still may be difficult and you’ll want to minimize your risk for infections as well. Be honest and open with your supervisor, colleagues, and shift manager to help them help you manage expectations and workflow.

Be Patient

You’ve just gone through one of the biggest changes in your life and things may be quite different going forward. Where before you could have made it across the hospital floor in 30 seconds, it may now take you one minute. Bending over and lifting those boxes was easy before, but may make you tired now.

It’s going to take a little bit of time to get back into your routine fully. It might be frustrating at first, not being able to return to your past condition immediately, but eventually, you’ll get back in the swing of things. Just be patient and know it’s a marathon, not a sprint.