Even if you love your job, you won’t always love being there when you’re expecting.  There will inevitably be days when your feet are swollen, your legs ache, you’re too hot, you’re too nauseated, or you simply want to be in your sweats lying on the sofa. Take heart and fight back with these soothing strategies. Take a load off. You may find great relief simply by elevating them for a little while. If you can’t prop them on your desk (bad protocol in most places), find a box, wastebasket, or other sturdy object on which to rest your weary gams. Ask your office manager if there are any footrests available (these come in many sizes — you can sometimes set the angle just the way you like).  If possible, remove your shoes (and don’t even think of wearing high heels these next nine months!).When you gotta go, you gotta go — but don’t let it get that far. Plan to pee every hour or so, whether you need to or not. You’ll relieve the pressure on your bladder (which is getting increasingly squeezed by your uterus) and feel better overall if you avoid getting to the bursting point.

(Now’s not the time to have to sprint to the bathroom!)Your desk chair probably used to be comfortable enough, right? As your body expands (belly and butt!), your seat can become a formidable enemy (especially when you’re trying to squeeze into it!). So seize the opportunity to adjust and customize it to suit your symptoms. Slip on a lumbar cushion for extra support. tables and chairs for rent in charlotte ncSlide a soft pillow onto your seat. metal folding chairs from chinaIf your chair reclines, consider setting it back a few notches to create more (and more!) space between your belly and your desk.cheap table and chair rentals queens ny Get off your tush. bloom high chair price uk

Now that you’re nice and comfortable in your seat, get up! Sitting still for prolonged periods can cause your legs to ache, compromise your circulation, and actually make you feel more tired than you do already. Be sure to stand every hour or so — find reasons to walk about (getting to and from the ladies’ room for your hourly visit counts; so does walking down to the watercooler to refill your water bottle).table and chairs morrisonsAlways on your feet? cheap electric wheelchairs ukNow’s the time to fit periods of sitting into your day. deck chair fabric australiaLook for opportunities to give your legs a rest. dining table and chairs for sale brighton

Can any part of your job be done in a seated position? If all else fails, lean against a wall or piece of furniture when one is available to you, stretch as often as possible, wear sturdy (yet forgiving) shoes, and talk to your employer about seated alternatives.At least once (or even twice) every hour, do this 30-second stretch: Raise your arms above your head, clasp your fingers palms ups, and reach up. dining room chairs lazy boyNext, place your hands on a desk or table, step back a bit, and stretch out your back. Sit down and rotate your feet in both directions. If you can bend over and touch your toes — even from a seated position — go for it to release the tension in your neck and shoulders.No matter the climate in your city (or your office) — when you’re pregnant your body temperature can fluctuate tremendously. Sweating one minute and chilly the next, you’ll want to have a layer for every possible condition.

Don’t make the mistake of wearing a wool turtleneck to work, even if it’s 12 degrees outside, unless you’ve got a lightweight layer underneath when that inevitable heat wave (driven by hormones) strikes with a vengeance. And even if you’re usually toasty in just a T-shirt, stash a sweater in your drawer or locker. Your body temp goes both ways these days!Pregnancy and Workplace Safety More than half of all women work outside the home, with many working late into their pregnancies and returning to work less than three months after giving birth. While much attention has been paid to the importance of ergonomics i n the workplace, practicing good ergonomics will provide comfort and support a woman’s health throughout the duration of her pregnancy. Decreasing the ergonomic risk factor by implementing reasonable accommodations are essential to make the workplace safe and comfortable for expecting moms. Ergonomic Hazards for Expecting Employees For any employee, sitting 8-10 hours a day behind a desk or in front of a computer screen can lead to back and neck injuries, stiff muscles and joints, poor circulation, worker’s fatigue, and more.

However pregnant women face even more challenges, as pregnancy alters the shape of the body and the way women interact with their workspace. For example, a growing abdomen alone causes backaches, progressive posture problems, and reduced agility and coordination. Similarly, to accommodate the growing fetus, joints in the spine become less stable, while hormonal changes affect ligaments and increase the risk of injury. As pregnancy progresses, women must lift items further away from their bodies, having to reach 15-20 inches to access their workstation. Since the growing fetus alters the center of gravity, pregnant women are also more susceptible to falling. In addition to affecting balance, lifting tasks, and posture, studies suggest that there is a link between ergonomic stressors and unfavorable pregnancy results. Things to avoid are standing for long periods of time, working long hours, and repetitive lifting. Pregnancy and Lower Back Pain Expecting mothers often develop a curvature in the lower back (also known as an accentuated lumbar lordosis) due to weight gained in the lower abdomen.

In fact, each pound a woman puts on during pregnancy can creative five extra pounds of pressure on the hips, knees, and lumbar spinal joints. Moreover, elevated hormone levels (Estrogen and Relaxin) lead to increased ligament laxity, predisposing pregnant women to joint instability and an increased risk of strains and sprains. Ergonomic Accommodations for Pregnant Workers To accommodate pregnant women, both employers and expecting moms themselves are advised to take make ergonomic friendly workplace modifications. Here are some expert tips to ensure the safety and comfort of working women during pregnancy. Advice for Pregnant Employees Neutral posture brings daily comfort: elbows level with the keyboard so your shoulders are relaxed, feet flat and supported, avoid awkward postures Take frequent breaks from sitting, walking and stretching to increase circulation in your legs and feet, which are prone to swelling and possible blood clots during pregnancy Invest in an adjustable ergonomic office chair with excellent lumbar support and well cushioned seat to support growing body and possible sensitive tailbone, or add a thin lumbar pillow for extra support and comfort to existing chair

For stable posture comfort, feet flat on floor or supported with a footrest. Use a footrest to reduce swelling and reduce pressure on the joints To accommodate your growing abdomen and the increasing curve in your spine, adjust the height of your monitor and desk Use a softer wrist rest with your keyboard to prevent the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome caused by increased fluid in the joints during pregnancy Avoid heavy lifting (10-25 lbs or more) and do not lift items directly from the ground The ability to go from sitting to standing increases oxygen intake and circulation. Invest in a sit/stand desk or a Sit Stand Ergo Unit allowing you to alternate between sitting and standing positions throughout the workday; this very change of position is a mild form of exercise which helps prevent stiffness, swelling, and varicose veins Know your rights: Study the laws pertaining to the treatment of pregnant employees in your state and don’t hesitate to ask your employer for special accommodations