Are 12 hour shifts bad for pregnancy?

Working night shifts or long hours can mean a greater chance of miscarriage, preterm delivery or other adverse outcomes for pregnant women.

How many hours can pregnant woman work?

Legally, pregnant women can continue to work the average 40 hours a week or the hours that they were working previously. However, a pregnant employee must only continue to work these hours if it is safe to do so, physically and emotionally.

Can working shifts affect pregnancy?

Working two or more night shifts in a week may increase a pregnant woman’s risk of miscarriage the following week by around a third, shows a prospective study published online in Occupational & Environmental Medicine.

Does working long hours affect pregnancy?

June 28, 2012 — Working long hours on your feet while you’re pregnant may affect the size of your newborn. A new study shows that pregnant women who spend a lot of time on their feet — and work more than 40 hours a week — may give birth to smaller babies.

Are you allowed to work nights when pregnant?

Yes. But, if a doctor or midwife has provided you with a medical certificate stating that for your health and safety you must not continue to work nights, then your employer must offer you suitable, alternative day work on the same terms and conditions.

Does working night shift affect your baby?

Working at night, during your normal sleep hours, can change your circadian rhythms , which regulates your menstrual cycle and your pregnancy hormones. Shift work and long working hours have been related to menstrual disorders, miscarriages, and preterm birth.

Can standing too much affect pregnancy?

Heavy lifting, standing for long periods of time, or bending a lot during pregnancy could increase your chances of miscarriage, preterm birth, or injury during pregnancy. High physical demands at work have also been associated with menstrual disorders, which might reflect reduced fertility.

Does working night shift affect getting pregnant?

Women who work the night shift often have a harder time getting pregnant than those who work the day shift. For women, working the night shift can impact their circadian rhythm, resulting in hormonal imbalances, lower estrogen levels, and irregular menstrual cycles.

Is standing all day bad for pregnancy?

Standing for long periods during pregnancy may curb the growth of the developing fetus, suggests research published online in Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Previous research has indicated that long working hours may increase the risk of birth defects, premature birth, stillbirth and low birth-weight.

Can standing for long affect pregnancy?

When should you stop working when pregnant?

Most women can physically handle their usual workload up until about 32 to 34 weeks of pregnancy. Around this same time, many women are also shifting their mental focus from their job towards being a new mother, and that can affect the decision on when to stop working.

Is it safe to work the night shift while pregnant?

Pregnant or not, though, working the night shift can cause you to experience disturbed, reduced, fragmented and poor sleep compared to working during the day.

What are the risks of shift work for pregnant women?

While there is some research that has evaluated the potential risks of shift work on pregnant women, studies have been small and have had conflicting results. Some of the specific outcomes studied included the risk of pre-term delivery, low birth weight, and a condition called pre-clampsia.

How long can you work while pregnant?

Learn about your company’s maternity policies. According to experts, you can work up to six months of your pregnancy. Most work places allow you leave in your third trimester. Resting during day is important for you, as you work in night shifts. Exposure to sunlight is also very important.

Is it safe to work during third trimester of pregnancy?

Most work places allow you leave in your third trimester. Resting during day is important for you, as you work in night shifts. Exposure to sunlight is also very important. So it is advisable for you to go out in fresh air for at least an hour. Consume lots of milk, cereals and pulses during the day.