While pregnant you can work as much as possible, but now you need to take special care of yourself and good working conditions. Many women have a so-called job. sitting - at the desk, in front of the computer monitor. Staying in such a position for several hours is burdensome for everyone, the more so that a pregnant woman must take care of hygiene in order not to aggravate back pain and swelling.

Working pregnantrunning properly is even recommended. It is a truism to remind the old truth that pregnancy is not a disease and does not slow you down from work - unless, of course, it proceeds without complications. You can and you have to work. Anyway, there are more and more women who like what they do and can not even imagine that pregnancy will change anything. However, some changes are advisable, because in this special condition you also need to take special care of yourself, so pay attention to the conditions in which you work.

Working time at the computer during pregnancy

The regulations state thata pregnant womanshould work at the computer screen for no more than 4 hours a day (Ordinance of the Council of Ministers of September 10, 1996). It is commonly believed that this is because of the harmful electromagnetic waves that the monitor emits. However, it is not quite like that. There are no authoritative studies to prove that computer work has an adverse effect on the development of pregnancy. Some refer to old studies, more than 20 years ago, when only old-style monitors were in use. Currently, most of them are modern liquid crystal monitors (LCD), which generate an electromagnetic field even several dozen times smaller than traditional monitors - so working with them is safe. Therefore, you do not have to worry about radiation, because it is minimal and harmless.

However, the regulations are in place - the employer may not require a pregnant woman to work at the monitor for more than 4 hours a day (regardless of the type of monitor). If it is impossible to shorten the working time, the employer is obliged to transfer the employee to another job, and if there is no such possibility, temporarily release her from the obligation to perform work (while maintaining her remuneration). If there are problems with the enforcement of this provision, you need to contact the National Labor Inspectorate.

Working conditions at the computer during pregnancy

In work witha more important issue than exposure to electromagnetic field is the burden on the eyes and the musculoskeletal system. In other words, staying in one, especially the wrong, position for a long time does more harm than radiation. The effects of sitting in front of the monitor for too long include: back and neck pain, leg swelling (due to a circulatory disorder), carpal tunnel syndrome, eye problems, many of these ailments will probably get you because of pregnancy, so try not to let your work make them worse. The equipment determines the working conditions to a large extent. A good office chair should have, for example, not only seat height adjustment, but also adjustable (horizontally and vertically) armrests and the angle of the backrest, so that they can be adjusted to the parameters of your body. The correct working position is when the back is straight and supported - along the entire length or at least in the lumbar part, the legs are bent at right angles at the knees and the feet touch the entire surface of the floor (they should not hang in the air). The monitor should be placed straight, approx. 50 cm from the face, and its top edge should be 20-50º below the line of sight (too high a position of the monitor, eg on a stand, forces you to lift your head and causes neck pain). While writing, the forearms should be placed on the armrests, exactly at the height of the desk top, and the wrists should not hang in the air - they should rest on the desk.

Important

You have the right to do so

  • Pregnant women may not be employed overtime or at night. It is also not allowed to delegate her outside of her permanent place of work without her consent (Art. 178 par. 1 of the Labor Code).
  • The employer is obliged to dismiss a pregnant woman from work for each examination ordered by a doctor, even if she will go for it for several days in a row (Art. 185 par. 2 of the Labor Code).
  • A pregnant woman may propose to the employer an individual working time arrangement, e.g. that she will come two hours earlier (or later) and leave earlier (or later) accordingly. However, the employer does not have to agree to this (Art. 142 of the Labor Code).

How to organize a workplace so that it is ergonomic and comfortable during pregnancy

You have no influence on what company provides you with equipment for work, but you can do a lot yourself to keep the load as low as possible.

  • Position the monitor directly in front of you so that you do not have to twist your torso while working.
  • Make sure the screen is perpendicular to the window - this setting is best for your eyes (in others, light may blind you or reflect on the monitor).
  • Sit upright, leaning your back against the chair - this relieves the spine and relieves back pain.
  • When the chair is too high and you can't put your feet on the floor - you should have a footrest. Ask your employer for it - he should get it, or use something instead of, for example, a non-slip footrest in a children's bathroom. By having a footrest and avoiding folding one leg over the leg, you facilitate blood circulation in the legs, which prevents swelling and varicose veins.
  • When you write a lot or work with a mouse - take care of gel pads that effectively relieve your wrists. If the employer does not provide them, you can buy them yourself (about PLN 20).
  • Don't sit at your computer (or your desk) all the time. Take breaks of a few minutes at least once an hour: get up and go to the kitchen, toilet, or a colleague at the other end of the hall. Such a walk or a substitute for gymnastics (stretching exercises, circulation of the shoulders, neck and wrists) increase joint mobility and improve circulation. Also, while sitting at the desk, you can, for example, make circles with your feet by twisting your ankle.

What else is worth remembering during pregnancy

  • Always have a bottle of still mineral water or juice (no sugar added!) On hand - try to drink at least 2 liters of fluid a day.
  • Keep he althy snacks in your desk drawer. At the beginning of pregnancy, they can relieve nausea (eg rusks, ginger cookies, or … ice cream cones). In turn, the supply of dried fruit, nuts or granola bars will protect you from the unpleasant and unhe althy attack of "wolf hunger".
  • Ventilate the room often - fresh air will oxygenate you and reduce the amount of dust and other pollutants.
  • In winter, moisten the air - for example by hanging a wet towel on the radiator.
  • Avoid smokers.
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Pregnancy