Can I work while I’m pregnant?
For the majority of women with uncomplicated, low-risk pregnancies, there is no problem with working as long as you would like. There are a few situations that might make working hazardous for both you and the baby. If you work with certain chemicals, solvents, fumes or radiation, you might need to avoid contact with some of these workplace hazards. Your employer may have policies in place to protect pregnant women. Also, if your work if very physically demanding, it may not be possible to continue doing strenuous work. Talk to your health care provider and your employer if your work includes:
- Stooping or bending over more than 10 times per hour
- Climbing a ladder more than three times in an 8 hour shift
- Standing for more than 4 hours at a time
- Climbing stairs more than three times per shift
- Working more than 40 hours per week
- Shift work
- Lifting more than 23 kg (50 lb) after the 20th week of pregnancy
- Lifting more than 11 kg (24 lbs) after the 24th week of pregnancy
- Stooping, bending, or climbing ladders after the 28th week
- Needing to lift any heavy items after the 30th week
- Needing to stand still for more than 30 minutes of every hour after the 32nd week
- Working with chemicals, solvents, fumes, or radiation
If my work is not strenuous can I work until the end of my pregnancy?
A woman who is having a normal, healthy pregnancy can work right up until the start of labour. However, you can choose to stop working whenever suits you. Some women choose to stop several weeks before their due date but others will be at work even in early labour.
Will I still be paid if I stop working early?
In Canada, federal Employment Insurance (EI) provides temporary financial assistance to Canadians who are sick, pregnant, or caring for a newborn or adopted child. In order to qualify for these maternity, parental, or sickness benefits, you must have worked 600 hours within the past 52 weeks. For more detailed information on eligibility and benefits, visit servicecanada.gc.ca.
Maternity benefits. The EI program provides maternity benefits of up to 15 weeks to a mother for the birth of a child. These benefits can be collected any time during a period that begins eight weeks before your expected due date and ends 17 weeks after the birth. However, if you stop work earlier than eight weeks before the due date, you would not receive EI maternity benefits until the eligibility period begins.
Parental benefits. In addition to the 15 weeks of maternity benefits, the EI program provides parental benefits to either parent for up to 35 weeks. These benefits can be claimed by either parent, concurrently or consecutively, as long as the total maternity and parental benefits add up to no more than 50 weeks for a pregnancy.
Employer benefits. If you are an employee, check with Human Resources at your work place to see what maternity benefits and work accommodations are available to you.
FAQs
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists makes the following recommendations: Working during pregnancy is generally safe. For those in high-risk occupations or with medically complicated pregnancies, work accommodations often can allow for continued safe employment.
How many hours should a pregnant woman work a day? ›
After 26 weeks: There should be no extended work hours, with a 40-hour week being the maximum for the employee/patient. No travel further than 50 miles is allowed. Lifting is restricted to no more than 20 pounds.
At what month should a pregnant woman stop working? ›
A woman with an uncomplicated pregnancy should be allowed to and encouraged to continue working for as long as she chooses. This actually means you can work without interruption until the onset of labor.
How many hours should a pregnant woman work on her feet? ›
It is recommended that pregnant women stand for no more than four or five hours while taking frequent breaks throughout the workday. Since pregnant women's feet are prone to swelling, it is more important to listen to your body and give your feet the rest that they need.
What should you not do at work while pregnant? ›
Those working conditions include: Exposure to harmful substances. Prolonged standing. Heavy lifting, climbing or carrying.
Can I ask for reduced hours at work when pregnant? ›
Under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, your employer must provide reasonable accommodation on your work schedule so you can get the medical attention you need. In addition, your company must allow schedule adjustments such as reduced or modified hours.
How many weeks before my due date should I leave work? ›
“You need to be ready to take care of a new life and that may mean leaving the week before you're due in order to have time for yourself.” Marter adds that this is ultimately a personal decision. “For some, it is helpful to take time off before the baby to rest, prepare and nest,” she notes.
Is it okay to call in sick while pregnant? ›
Sick leave during pregnancy
If you are too ill to work you may need to take sick leave. You should follow your employer's sick leave procedures. Most employers will allow you to have a few days off without a doctor's note, but for longer periods of time they can ask for a doctor's note.
How do I know if I'm overworking myself while pregnant? ›
If you experience any of the following during or after physical activity, stop exercising immediately and see your doctor:
- headache.
- dizziness or feeling faint.
- heart palpitations.
- chest pain.
- swelling of the face, hands or feet.
- calf pain or swelling.
- vagin*l bleeding.
- contractions.
The earliest that you can usually start your leave is 11 weeks before the expected week of the birth. However, if your baby comes early, then your leave will start the day after the birth. If you are off work with a pregnancy-related illness in the 4 weeks before your due date, it will start from then.
Summary of Tips for Pregnancy
Consume foods and beverages rich in folate, iron, calcium, and protein. Talk with your health care professional about prenatal supplements (vitamins you may take while pregnant). Eat breakfast every day. Eat foods high in fiber, and drink fluids (particularly water) to avoid constipation.
What signs should you not ignore during pregnancy? ›
Download the Urgent Maternal Warning Signs poster.
- Headache that won't go away or gets worse over time.
- Dizziness or Fainting.
- Changes in your vision.
- Fever of 100.4°F or higher.
- Extreme swelling of your hands or face.
- Thoughts about harming yourself or your baby.
- Trouble breathing.
- Chest pain or fast-beating heart.
Prolonged standing or heavy lifting can cause an increased chance of miscarriage or preterm delivery (premature birth). Changes in a pregnant woman's hormones impact ligaments and joints in the spine to accommodate the developing baby.
Which gender causes extreme tiredness during early pregnancy? ›
The energy demands on your body can result in pregnancy exhaustion and fatigue. As a side note, it's said that extreme tiredness during early pregnancy can indicate the gender is a girl because carrying girls more often results in higher likelihood of nausea and extreme fatigue.
Do you get paid for bed rest during pregnancy? ›
Yes, FMLA does cover doctor-ordered bed rest. If you qualify for FMLA, you can take job-protected time away from work as a part of your 12 weeks, so if you're on bed rest for two weeks before you give birth, you will have only 10 weeks remaining after the birth of your child.
Can you call in sick with morning sickness? ›
If an employee cannot come to work because of a pregnancy-related illness, they should: report in sick in the usual way. get their usual sick pay.
How many hours can you work while pregnant? ›
The number of hours and even time of day when you work may also be a factor. A 2014 study of Japanese women uncovered that those who worked more than 40 hours each week were at higher risk of miscarriage and preterm labor. And the more hours worked (51–70 hours and 71+ hours), the higher the risk.
Should I work 12 hour shifts pregnant? ›
Shift Work There is insufficient evidence of a risk to pregnant women to make recommendations to restrict shift work, including rotating shifts or night/evening work.
Can I work 12 hour shifts while pregnant? ›
Working 12-hour shifts while pregnant can be challenging, especially as the pregnancy progresses, and fatigue sets in. It's important to discuss your work schedule with your healthcare provider and employer to determine the best course of action for your specific situation.
Can too much work affect pregnancy? ›
Physical demands at work could increase your chances of miscarriage, preterm birth, or injury during pregnancy.
