Do you think work is really bad for a pregnant woman?

I know most of us really have no choice but to go in, but I have been thinking a lot about how stress from work affects the baby.

I found out today that someone at a different agency who has my same job is pregnant about 3 weeks behind me.

Her doctor actually wants her home on bed rest because of issues with her placenta but she is making herself take it week by week at work, at least for the time being.

She sent an email saying that she needs to avoid as much stress as possible. Is that really possible though with most jobs these days?

I would feel horrible if something happened to my
because I put work in front of his/my needs.

Re: Do you think work is really bad for a pregnant woman?

I think to an extent yes-- but it does depend on the job.

I left my regular full time job now, almost a year ago (wow) because it was taking over my life. I don't know how I would have TTC and completed the last 15 weeks of pregnancy being in that job.

I am so happy I made the decision to re-prioriitze my career-- which was always important to me. I left not only because I knew we wanted a family soon, but because my relationships were suffering-- with both friends and family-- and with DH even. It was too much.

We were not made to give ourselves to our employers as much as they are demanding these days. Unfortunately, many people give in. I guess I am lucky I am in a position where I could re-prioritize.

Re: Do you think work is really bad for a pregnant woman?

I am reading your post while sitting here *sweating* as I take a break from working on the nursery. I think it's not always good on your body, but some people feel (like me ) like we have no choice.
I don't think the high stress jobs are good, but I also could not see myself on total bedrest - I would go nuts!

Re: Do you think work is really bad for a pregnant woman?

I think it can be. My job can be very stressful, but I sort of made a decision to do everything I could to not let it affect me while pregnant. I'm a lawyer at a NYC firm. I've worked late a few times, but I've also left work to work from home if I wasn't feeling well and took a day off when I just felt wiped out. If my doc says stop working, I will, without question.

I've seen pregnant women in my job under so much stress. One was away at trial for the entire first trimester of her first pregnancy. No DH around, working around the clock under stressful conditions. Same person was working late and working all weekends at 8mths pregnant in the same pregnancy. Her baby was fine, but she swore she wouldn't do it again for the next pregnancy, and she didn't. In fact, after her second, she didn't come back from maternity and took another job.

Re: Do you think work is really bad for a pregnant woman?

I think if a person is too stressed at work, they should go out per doctors orders. Why take any chances. Stress can def. affect the baby. I know I've had some very stressful jobs where my body just shuts down, I get sick , have stomachaches etc

my job is much better now thank goodness

Re: Do you think work is really bad for a pregnant woman?

I have a very stressful job; thankfully I am on vacation this week and next

Once I found out I was pregnant, THAT became my priority and I simply did not let things get to me the way they always had in the past

Re: Do you think work is really bad for a pregnant woman?

Yes, I do. But, it also depends on your job. If I was working at my previous job, I know that I would of been stressed and worn out 85% of the time. But with my current position, I took the job b/c I knew that I would be ttc and eventually pregnant and I needed to be in a stressfree environment.

Re: Do you think work is really bad for a pregnant woman?

I'm a teacher.. it gets VERY stressful at times, but I just try to not let the kids get to me and if I have a problem, I send them out. It is just not worth it.

Re: Do you think work is really bad for a pregnant woman?

my job can be both stressful and dangerous, and during this pregnancy (especially when i started showing) my supervisor and co-workers were careful to always make sure i was taking every safety precaution i could, and my job was kind of modified so that i didn't need to do the most dangerous parts. now that i am less than 4 weeks away from givng birth, i am basically sitting on my butt at my desk all day

i am lucky in that i work with mostly women... i don't know that if i worked with all men that my job would have been made so easy.

Re: Do you think work is really bad for a pregnant woman?

Posted by headoverheels

my job can be both stressful and dangerous, and during this pregnancy (especially when i started showing) my supervisor and co-workers were careful to always make sure i was taking every safety precaution i could, and my job was kind of modified so that i didn't need to do the most dangerous parts. now that i am less than 4 weeks away from givng birth, i am basically sitting on my butt at my desk all day

i am lucky in that i work with mostly women... i don't know that if i worked with all men that my job would have been made so easy.

Re: Do you think work is really bad for a pregnant woman?

Re: Do you think work is really bad for a pregnant woman?

My job is not stressful, but the commute is really starting to get to me. I have 12 hour days, 4 of which are commuting.

Re: Do you think work is really bad for a pregnant woman?

i was told I can no longer work in the City and I was told weeks ago that I may not be able to allowed to work to the end.

i am working as long as I can.. but you're right.. stress is a factor.. and my kid so more important than my job.

Still... I'd probably stress more at home.

Re: Do you think work is really bad for a pregnant woman?

I worked until the day I gave birth, but honestly, all I can do is think of the most overpopulated parts of the world, and I'm sure those women are working all through their pregnancies... KWIM?