In your WORKPLACE are you PREGNANT are they point at safety for knowledge!

Well first things first congratulations on your new born soon to be mom!

And before all the guys roll their eyes and say oh boy or not interested remember we all came from mom not unless I failed science and biology class so please pay attention!

And yes pending your workplace and the type of work, directing employees to take parental leave. If a pregnant employee wants to work in the6 weeks before her due date her employer can ask for a medical certificate within 7 days that states: she can continue to work. Is it safe for her to do her normal job. If you're a healthy woman having a normal pregnancy and your job does not involve exposure to harmful chemicals, you may be able to continue working until the day you give birth – or close to it. Though you may tire more easily toward the end of your pregnancy, so take it easy if possible.

If you're pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, one thing you'll want to think about and fully understand is what being pregnant and having a baby means in relation to your job. This is often referred to as your pregnancy (or parental) rights. 

How do I maintain a professional image as my pregnancy progresses?

It helps to know how your pregnancy may affect you at work. During the first and third trimesters, expect fatigue, discomfort, and absentmindedness. But you may feel more energetic and focused in the second trimester. Even though the fatigue and forgetfulness are normal, it might help to talk about your pregnancy with a trusted friend at work.

Your pregnancy, though visible, can still be private. Try not to complain or talk about your pregnancy too much, especially if your supervisor or co-workers are already less than supportive of your pregnancy.

Whenever you can grab a few moments of privacy during the day, feel free to daydream, worry, wonder, even meditate about your pregnancy, but be prudent when you're around your co-workers.

For a Safe Maternity Experience program

How to ensure a safe maternity experience in the workplace

See a physician

If you are pregnant and are concerned that your work may constitute a hazard to your health or that of your unborn child, see a physician. Describe your duties (tasks, movements, posture, exposure to products, etc.)

Most women experience nausea or vomiting at some point during pregnancy, and chances are it will hit you at work. Talk to your healthcare provider about treatments to relieve morning sickness and strategies to keep nausea at bay.

If you're having trouble keeping food down, stash plastic bags, towels, and mouthwash in your desk or your car, and figure out the quickest way to the bathroom. (If you haven't told your boss or co-workers your news yet, try to be ready with a convincing explanation in case someone comes in while you're indisposed.)

If your morning sickness is especially severe and prolonged – with constant nausea or frequent vomiting – you may have to tell your supervisor about your pregnancy earlier than you planned. This can be tricky because you don't want it to seem like you can't do your job.

Before you tell her, figure out what you want: Compassion? Time off? A flexible schedule until you get through the worst of it? And be ready to offer a commitment that you'll continue to get your work done. Finally, assure your supervisor that morning sickness usually goes away by the end of the first trimester.

Sometimes a pregnant employee requires an adjustment in how, when, or where her job is performed to be able to continue working safely. Examples of pregnancy accommodations include:

·      Sitting, instead of standing, during the workday

·      Carrying a water bottle

·      Taking more frequent breaks to use the restroom, to have a snack, or to rest

·      Receiving assistance with heavy lifting

·      Working a modified or part time schedule

·      Taking leave

Despite its discomforts, pregnancy isn't a ticket to slack off at work. And thankfully, there are lots of ways to curb your symptoms so they don't interfere with your job performance. If you have "morning sickness" (and up to 85 percent of pregnant women do -- though not necessarily only in the A.M.), the best advice is to eat, eat, eat. "Constantly snacking kept my queasiness at bay, so I keeping Kashi bars and Goldfish in your pockets or coat  all the time," 

Handling fatigue at work and home

You might feel tired as your body works overtime to support your pregnancy — and resting during the workday can be tough. It might help to:

·        Eat foods rich in iron and protein. Fatigue can be a symptom of iron deficiency anemia, but adjusting your diet can help. Choose foods such as red meat, poultry, seafood, leafy green vegetables, iron-fortified whole-grain cereal and beans.

·        Take short, frequent breaks. Getting up and moving around for a few minutes can reinvigorate you. Spending a few minutes with the lights off, your eyes closed and your feet up also can help you recharge.

·        Drink plenty of fluids. Keep a water bottle at your desk or in your work area and sip throughout the day.

·        Cut back on activities. Scaling back can help you get more rest when your workday ends. Consider doing your shopping online or hiring someone to clean the house or take care of the yard.

·        Keep up your fitness routine. Although exercise might be the last thing on your mind at the end of a long day, physical activity can help boost your energy level — especially if you sit at a desk all day. Take a walk after work or join a prenatal fitness class, as long as your health care provider says it's OK.

·        Go to bed early. Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep every night. Resting on your left side will maximize blood flow to your baby and ease swelling. For added comfort, place pillows between your legs and under your belly.

Remember those short, frequent breaks to combat fatigue? Moving around every few hours can also ease muscle tension and help prevent fluid buildup in your legs and feet. Try these other strategies, too:

·        Sitting. Using an adjustable chair with good lower back support can make long hours of sitting much easier — especially as your weight and posture change. If your chair isn't adjustable, use a small pillow or cushion to provide extra support for your back. Don't cross your legs.

·        Standing. If you must stand for long periods of time, put one of your feet up on a footrest, low stool or box. Switch feet every so often and take frequent breaks. Wear comfortable shoes with good arch support. Consider wearing support hose, too.

·        Bending and lifting. Even when you're lifting something light, proper form can spare your back. Bend at your knees, not your waist. Keep the load close to your body, lifting with your legs — not your back. Avoid twisting your body while lifting.

Keeping stress under control

Stress on the job can sap the energy you need to care for yourself and your baby. To minimize workplace stress:

·        Take control. Make daily to-do lists and prioritize your tasks. Consider what you can delegate to someone else — or eliminate.

·        Talk it out. Share frustrations with a supportive co-worker, friend or loved one.

·        Relax. Practice relaxation techniques, such as breathing slowly or imagining yourself in a calm place. Or try a prenatal yoga class, as long as your health care provider says it's OK.

Taking proper job precautions

Certain working conditions might increase your risk of complications during pregnancy — especially if you're at high risk of preterm labor — including:

·        Exposure to harmful substances

·        Prolonged standing

·        Heavy lifting, climbing or carrying

·        Excessive noise

·        Heavy vibrations, such as from large machines

·        Extreme temperatures

If you're concerned about any of these issues, mention it to your health care provider. Together you can decide if you need to take special precautions or modify your work duties during your pregnancy.

Obtain a certificate

For the certificate to be valid, your physician must consult the physician in charge of health services for your establishment or the one designated by the public health director for the region in which this establishment is located.

Notify your employer

Once the certificate, duly completed by your physician, is received by the employer, this constitutes a request for reassignment. Your employer may then opt to eliminate the hazard represented by your work or assign you to other tasks. If neither of these alternatives is doable, you are entitled to benefit from a preventive withdrawal and to receive compensation until the fourth week prior to the planned delivery date or until such time as your employer can assign you to a position that does not represent a hazard. Sometimes, being pregnant can feel as if it's a full-time job. And that is a problem if you've already got a full-time job -- the kind that requires you to be at your desk, not at the doctor's, or to be pleasant to clients even when you feel like you're about to barf. But don't worry. We have advice on how to handle the major issues you'll face at the office in the coming months.

If needed breast-feeding period

If you wish to breast-feed and are concerned that your work may represent a danger to your newborn child, you must repeat the above steps. You must submit a new request, even if you were reassigned or benefited from a preventive withdrawal while pregnant.

What is in your policy and what do your state or provincial laws state

Company policy Check your employee handbook or company Web site to find out what your employer officially offers. Then talk to other new moms to find out how much leave they took and what portion of it was paid. Many employers expect workers to use sick days, vacation time, and their short-term disability insurance (usually for six weeks) to cover the "paid" portion of their leave.

State laws So far, New Jersey, California, and Washington have passed laws requiring certain employers to give new parents time off with pay. Other states have laws mandating certain amounts of unpaid leave. Each Province has its own human rights code or legislation governing these rights. In principle, they are all similar in their protection of your rights. They include your leave and accommodation at work. However, because they are a little different in each province, you should check your provincial practices. For more specific information about your rights and responsibilities in your Province, visit the website of your provincial human rights commission or contact them directly. See our Province by province guide to find the right body in your province.

In some cases, your pregnancy may prevent you from doing your job. If this is the case, it does not mean you cannot work. You and your employer should work together to find accommodations that allow you to continue to work. An accommodation is when an employer modifies the workplace or your day to day duties to allow you to work. Unless this causes unnecessary hardship (like excessive financial cost), your employer together with your input should make an effort to find a way for you to continue working. 

Here are some examples of accommodations:

·        Not requiring you to carry heavy items temporarily, even if that's part of your job.

·        Providing you with flexible hours or a quiet place for breastfeeding your baby.

·        Allowing you time off to go to medical appointments.

Are there any other rights outside of the workplace I should know about?

·        While most of the issues arising from pregnancy or new parenthood occur in the workplace, there are other areas in which your rights are ensured, like housing, facilities and services.

You have a right to use services - for example, restaurants, stores and public areas such as malls and parks - without discrimination due to your pregnancy. You also have the right to rent an apartment, or sign a lease or other contract, without discrimination.