You should know your rights to antenatal care, maternity leave and benefits if you're working while you're pregnant. If you have any worries about your health while at work, talk to your doctor or occupational health nurse. You may also reach out to your employer, union official or someone in the HR department where you work.
Your employer should then carry out a risk assessment to see if your job poses any threats to you or your baby. In case of any threats, they must make reasonable adjustments to eliminate them. This may even include altering the working hours. If you work with chemicals, lead or X-rays, or in a job with a lot of lifting, you are not recommended to continue to work. You may worry about using computer screens during pregnancy. But no research to support this.
Experiencing exhaustion or fatigue is common, especially in the starting and ending weeks of pregnancy. Try to utilize your lunch break for eating and resting. Ask your employer if it’s feasible to alter the working hours in case travelling in rush hour is tiresome. Avoid indulging in another job namely. cleaning and cooking after reaching home. Reach out for a helping hand be it your friend, partner or a member of your family. Struggling with morning sickness makes working even harder. On days when the morning sickness is bad, reach out to your employer for different working hours or work from home option.
