Mom working dangerous job

psantos13

Hi everyone. I have a job where I am outside, traveling most of the time and getting dirty. I am an adjuster for an insurance company. I get to look at and write estimates on train wrecks, also known as cars. I realize that as I am growing larger, uncomfortable and moving around with a bit less mobility, things will become more challenging to crawl under a car, lift things and keep my balance. I'm not exactly sure what to do. My main priority is safety. I don't want to put myself or baby at risk or even in a compromising situation. Anyone in a similar situation? Advice on how to proceed in a dangerous job?

Mrs_Bennett

Can you talk to your boss about putting you in a less risky position during your pregnancy? It seems like they should be able to make accommodations for you somehow. Good luck!

summererobinson

I would see if any accomadations can be made, and go from there. Maybe simply waiting and then saying " I cna no longer fit under the car" thing slike that. I was a correctional office with my last son, working in one of the worst jails in baltimore that had dialy stabbings. It was me to 150 inamtes. People gave me crap all the time about it.  But I bet if i quit my job and sat on welfare they would be mad about that too. THe truth is not everyone has a " safe" job. So do the best you can.

kayham12

I know this may be hard to believe but my job also poses pregnancy risks. Not in the same degree but as a teacher and coach I come in contact with over 125 people directly everyday. Any number of them could be sick. I also coach so heat, falling, collisions, getting hit with balls all a real possibility. A few weeks ago a kid passed out and I didn't think twice about catching him. I had a girl that had a serious medical condition last year and I would have assisted her pregnant or not. It's like PP have said it's part of the job and there's not much you can do. Although the people I work with treat me like I'm broken when they can.

becks2012

I had a somewhat similar job to yours when I was pregnant with my first, except rather than cars it was old factories.  I flew somewhere once or twice a week until I was 36 weeks, was rarely home, had to deal with craving blueberries in tiny little towns without grocery stores...  Ok, that last part was mostly a joke, although one time I couldn't find macaroni and cheese anywhere, and finally had to resort to a gas station that had instant and begged to use the employeer microwave.. 

Back to being serious, I asked my OB about this at the time, because old factories who call people in my line of work have problems.  He told me that what didn't hurt me, wouldn't hurt the baby in most cases.  Of course things like chemical exposure etc are different, but for most routine occupational exposures, dust hitting your head on the undercarriage, overheating (good gracious, do not estimate this one!) the mom is going to exhibit symptoms first.  And yeah, you might be uncomfortable, but as you know, with this type of work, you can be uncomfortable anyway.

My advice for you is to do your research as much as possible and try to know what you are walking in to each time you go to a different site.  I know that can be hard to do.  But the more you know in advance, the easier it is to do your job quickly and efficiently and protect yourself while you are there. 

TiffanyJill

Honestly I think if you just take your time that you should be fine. Maybe let your boss know that things might take a little longer but that they will still be done properly. We working women are tough I work construction and have been cleared to keep working and doing what I have been unless it causes any pain. My job consists of a lot of manual labor, but again, my Dr said as long as this doesn't cause any pain that it is actually better for me and for the baby. Those working jobs where they sit most the day actually compress their torso making baby's movements more difficult and can increase the chance of having a c-section because baby cannot adjust into natural birthing position. Sorry to rant, just sharing the positives of our labors be safe!! You can do anything, I mean you are already creating life!!

Heathervettech

I work in animal medicine, which is super physical. Wrestling big dogs and nasty cats, not too mention the use of gas anesthetics and plenty more that is dangerous. I have obviously cut out taking xrays which would be a huge no no and we just take more precautions with the anesthetics as well as with those fur friends who really don't want to be my friend. I just try to be more aware of the situations I'm in.

rachel+family

I was a dairy farmer last pregnancy super hick and dorky but I loved it. I ended up getting very painful Braxton hicks contractions around 20 weeks every hour while I was working. Probably due to the heavy lifting, 12 hour shifts and raking etc. so my family doctor gave me a note... In BC that means I got employment insurance until I delivered which was equal to my maternity leave pay. I loved my job and I loved being active though so I was quite bored before the baby came.