Making Morning Sickness More Bearable
Pregnant women who experience morning sickness, especially those who endure intense morning sickness find the idea of going back to work nearly impossible to deal with. A few tips from specialists can, however, remedy this. These include;
- Staying away from nausea-inducing foods or triggers- if tea and sweet potatoes were your preferred breakfast and know it suddenly makes you vomit, stay away from it. Instead, explore different foods that are more palatable.
- Snack often and rehydrate adequately to keep your energy level up especially if you vomit a lot. Snacks that contain lemons, or herbal teas with ginger and sweets are ideal.
Dealing with Pregnancy-Related Fatigue
During the first trimester and throughout your pregnancy, fatigue is a prominent feeling. You can follow the following tips to help you out with this:
- Take short frequent breaks
- Up your water intake but stay away from caffeinated drinks as these are not healthy during pregnancy and are also known to make you crash when their effects wear out.
- Eat foods that are rich in iron and protein as some of pregnancy related fatigue could be caused by anemia and other nutritional deficiencies.
- Rest more in the evenings, weekends or on off days.
- Exercise at least for 30 min each day as exercise is known to boost energy levels.
- Go to sleep early to ensure you get in at least 8 hours of rest.
- Get comfortable at work by using seats that offer enough back support.
- Put one foot up on a footrest and alternate frequently if your job requires long periods of standing.
Precautions to Take While at Work
Avoid:
- Exposure to chemicals
- Extreme temperatures
- Excessive vibrations
- Heavy lifting
- Excessive noise.
What the law says about pregnancy at work
Getting to Know Your Rights
Knowing what the Kenyan constitution says about pregnancy and work is important. This will outline your rights and protect you from any. It states:
- Article 27 of the employment act prohibits discrimination on any grounds including pregnancy
- Section 29 of employment act 2007 states that a female employee is entitled to 91 days maternity leave on full pay if she gives 7 days’ notice of her intention to proceed on maternity leave.
- Section 46 of the employment act also states that termination or imposition of disciplinary penalty due to a female employee’s pregnancy or any reason connected to her pregnancy is unfair.
These tips should carry you through till you go on maternity leave.
Disclaimer:
Please note that development differs from one child to another.
Content intended for educational purposes only, and not a substitute for medical advice from your doctor.
Be careful when using any products mentioned on this website. We hold no regulations for such products or their providers.
Last reviewed April 2019
Sources: mayoclinic, kenyaemploymentlaw, parents, tuko
