News Moms Need

Working during pregnancy may have some challenges. It can be difficult to stay safe and comfortable at the workplace, manage your pregnancy symptoms all while tackling your work schedule and duties. Lots of women work long hours at physically demanding jobs. Others may be very sedentary, working at a desk looking at a computer screen for most of the day.  Here are some tips to help make your day safer and easier.

If you work on a computer or sit at a desk for most of the day, comfort is key. To avoid wrist and hand discomforts, neck and shoulder pains, backaches and eye strains, follow these tips:

• Take short breaks often and walk around your office or building.

• Adjust your chair, keyboard and other office equipment to be more comfortable.

• Use a small pillow or cushion for lower back support.

• Keep your feet elevated by using a footrest.

• Be sure to use the correct hand and arm positions for typing.

• Use a non-reflective glass screen cover on your computer monitor.

• Adjust the computer monitor for brightness and contrast to a setting that is comfortable for your eyes.

If you need to lift something, follow these tips:

• Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.

• Bend at your knees, but keep your back straight and rear end tucked in.

• Use your arms and legs. Lift with your arms (not back) and push up with your legs.

• When possible, lower the weight of the item (for example, break up the contents of one box into two or three smaller boxes).

Standing for long periods of time can also be cause for concern. That’s because blood can collect in your legs, which may lead to dizziness, fatigue and back pain. When standing:

• Place one foot on a small foot rest or box.

• Switch feet on the foot rest often throughout the day.

• Wear comfortable shoes.

It’s important that the work environment around you is safe for you and baby. If you have concerns, speak with your health care provider and your supervisor at work.

Learn more ways to stay safe at work.

Have questions? Email us at AskUs@marchofdimes.org.

Click here to read more News Moms Need blog posts on: pregnancy, pre-pregnancy, infant and child care, help for your child with delays or disabilities, and other hot topics.

One of the most common questions that we get asked at askus@marchofdimes.com is “Am I pregnant?” Although we can’t answer that question, there are a few signs that indicate you might be pregnant:
•    You miss your period.
•    You feel sick to your stomach or throw up.
•    Your breasts are big and sore. The area around your nipples gets darker.
•    You crave certain foods. Or you really dislike certain foods.
•    You feel tired all the time.

Not every woman will have all of these symptoms and some women may have none of them.  Every woman and every pregnancy is different, so there is really no way for a woman to know for sure that she is pregnant just by her symptoms.  For instance, some women may think they have had a period, but they actually have experienced implantation bleeding.  Implantation bleeding occurs when the embryo attaches to the lining of your uterus. This may occur 10-14 days after fertilization. Although this spotting is usually earlier and lighter than a menstrual period, some women don’t notice the difference, and don’t even realize they’re pregnant. And many early signs of pregnancy are similar to some premenstrual signs, so it can be very confusing.

If you think you might be pregnant, the best thing to do is to take a home pregnancy test.  Home pregnancy tests are usually more accurate when your period is late – about 2 weeks after conception (getting pregnant). If they’re done too early, they may say that you’re not pregnant when you really are. This is called a false negative. That’s why it’s best to take a home pregnancy test when your period is late. Make sure you follow the instructions carefully.

If you’ve taken a home pregnancy test and it’s negative (shows that you’re not pregnant), you may want to take a blood pregnancy test at your health care provider’s office. A blood pregnancy test is more sensitive than a home pregnancy test that checks your urine. The blood pregnancy test can tell a pregnancy very early on.

Pregnancy tests work by looking for the hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone that a woman’s body makes during pregnancy. If both a blood and urine test come back negative and you still have a missed period, talk with your health care provider. Things like stress, eating habits, illness or infection can cause changes in your menstrual cycle.

Finally, if you are trying to get pregnant, and that test is negative, try not to get discouraged. Nearly 9 out of 10 couples who try to get pregnant do so within 1 year. It may not happen immediately, but the odds are it will happen soon.  You can read more about getting pregnant on our website.

You’re swelling, you’re shrinking, you’re puking or eating everything that doesn’t eat you first… What’s normal, what’s not and what can you do about it?

Join us on Twitter, Wednesday August 24th at 1:00 PM EDT for our next #pregnancychat on pregnancy body basics. Share your experiences with heartburn, weight gain, sleeping issues or the amazement of feeling your baby move for the first time. Share what worked for you or ask questions. Health education specialists will be here to help give you answers.