Paid leave has been shown to increase the proportion of women, especially low-income women, who return to work after giving birth and is associated with higher rates of female employment 10. We just finished having our second kiddo and have worked with the vast majority of doctors here and they are all excellent! *This task duration category can encompass multiple hours of lifting in one work day provided that each continuous lifting period is less than 1 hour and followed by a minimum of 1 hour of nonlifting activity before lifting resumes. Working more than 40 hours per week was associated with a modest increased risk overall (relative risk, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.25–1.49), but the association was not significant when limited to higher quality studies. Employment characteristics of families—2016 . All studies included in the analysis were retrospective and had adjustment for confounders. Pregnancy FAQ115. Resources for anticipating and answering patients' questions. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. It is also illegal to terminate a woman’s employment for being pregnant; yet, nearly one third of allegations to the U.S. In all three studies, the odds ratios were lower when the meta-analyses were restricted to higher quality studies. Women typically are expected to return to work or risk losing their jobs after medical leave has been used. However, as the pregnancy progresses, certain common-sense rules certainly apply. By educating themselves regarding laws and leave policies, obstetrician–gynecologists and other obstetric care providers can help their patients obtain the necessary accommodations and medical leave or help them identify resources to address pregnancy-related job discrimination. Lifting, in particular, poses a risk of musculoskeletal injury and low back pain. Burtle A, Bezruchka S. Population health and paid parental leave: what the United States can learn from two decades of research. Keep your back as straight as possible. Some states offer partial income replacement for pregnancy disability through payroll deduction-funded disability programs. If work accommodations are medically indicated because of pregnancy complications or specific symptoms, physicians should explore the patient’s duties at work to determine whether accommodation might be possible and offer knowledge and additional resources regarding the potential implications of taking medical leave (eg, it is time limited and often partially paid or unpaid and may affect the availability or length of postpartum leave). The FMLA also allows time off for parents to care for an adopted or foster child. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ policy on paid parental leave is available at www.acog.org/-/media/Statements-of-Policy/Public/92ParentalLeaveJuly16.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20170419T1540420564. 2016;214:597. Influence of shift work on early reproductive outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2013. http://www.clinicalkey.com. In a 2014 United Nations Survey of 185 countries, only Papua New Guinea and the United States did not have national paid maternity leave policies 7. A national survey of pregnant working women showed that although 53% felt the need to change their job duties, 37% never requested such changes. The major employment issues concerning pregnant women include pregnancy-related discrimination, work accommodations that allow continued employment, job-protected leave, and wage replacement while on leave. To minimize workplace stress: Certain working conditions might increase your risk of complications during pregnancy — especially if you're at high risk of preterm labor — including: If you're concerned about any of these issues, mention it to your health care provider. Washington, DC: ABT Associates Inc; 2014. Fowler JR, et al. Family medical leave in 2012: technical report . There should be adequate ventilation, and the patient should not participate in environments of extreme heat or cold. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. For example, a systematic review and meta-analysis found a statistically significant association between preterm delivery and standing and walking at work for more than 3 hours a day (odds ratio [OR], 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1–1.6), lifting and carrying more than 5 kg (11 lb) (OR, 1.3; 1.05–1.6), or physical exertion at work (OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.2–1.7) 16. To stay healthy and productive on the job, understand how to alleviate common pregnancy discomforts — and know when a work task might jeopardize your pregnancy. Figure 1. Working during pregnancy is generally safe. However, in cases for which potential job discrimination has occurred, accommodations are denied, extended medical leave is necessary, or when other complex employment questions arise, legal assistance should be obtained. Available at: U.S. Available at: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. For example, a woman with gestational diabetes may need additional break time as well as a private space for glucose testing and snacking. Patients who work with chemicals should do so with adequate ventilation and protective gear, such as gloves and masks. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulates exposure to chemicals and radiation in workplaces. National compensation survey: employee benefits in the United States, March 2016.