When to stop working when pregnant is entirely up to you. As a pregnant woman, your body goes through a lot of physical and physiological changes. Physically you will grow bigger, find energy lagging and have days when concentrating on work is difficult. It is, however, best for you if you are able to work for as long as possible and as close to the delivery date, as you can. Staying active suits your body better in this state.
The extensive changes can sometimes be very imposing to deal with. Hormones tend to be rampant during a pregnancy. Most employers are very accommodating of pregnant women. Often women choose to keep working till the very last possible day because of administrative concerns like limited days of maternity leave. Talk to your employer about shifting to a part-time schedule or a flexible schedule, if he allows it. Most books and websites also suggest that you continue working for as long as it is physically not a challenge for you to commute or work. A flexible schedule might allow you to work from home, right up to the time you go into labor.
You might also want to consider occupational hazards when it comes to you and your pregnancy. Travelling by public transport and sitting for hours in front of the computer is work for you, working might not be good for your body towards the end of your pregnancy. Any strenuous physical work, if part of the job description, will need to be avoided till you have had the baby. You will also need to make sure that facilities like restrooms, rest areas and proper seating is available at your workplace.
Depending on how easy or difficult your pregnancy is, your doctor might also suggest a week when you can go on leave. Typically one to two weeks before your expected due date is also considered a good enough time to go on leave. It means you have completed your 40 weeks and can get ready mentally for the baby's arrival. All this of course changes if you are having a C-section. Since C-sections are planned, you can decide on the date for the birth of your baby and accordingly stop working.
There is also your health to consider. First pregnancies, in mothers who are beyond 35, can be difficult. Your first trimester maybe plagued with a lot of health issues. In the event that your doctor requests you to rest out the pregnancy, you may not have the option of deciding when to stop working.
Submitted by N on October 10, 2012 at 05:14