Pregnancy at work: mothers’ rights

Until a couple of years ago, being a woman was synonym of wife and mother since she used to spend most of her time at home looking after the kids. Nowadays, life is definitely more hectic and the role of a woman has changed: she is not only a wife and a mother anymore, because most of time a woman must go to work too. Mothers in our society often have no choice. They will not be able to stay at home with their new bundles of joy for very long after delivery.
As a consequence, when you find out you are expecting a baby, you will have thousands of doubts on how to handle and conciliate maternity and work.

Maternity’s rights

To live this amazing period of your life in the best way possible, it is essential that you are aware of your rights as an employee, in order to be protected. The law, in fact, helps and protects employees during maternity and breastfeeding. So let’s have a look together at the most important points:

- As soon as you know you are pregnant and once your employer knows about it, he must make alternative arrangements to guarantee both your and your baby’s safety when you are at work and also, you are protected from unfair treatment including a potential dismissal connected with your pregnancy. If you are off work because of a illness related to your pregnancy, your employer must pay you in the same way as for any other type of illness.

- You are entitled to take up to 52 weeks’ maternity leave. You are not allowed to work for the first two weeks after the birth. During your maternity leave, your employer must continue to give any benefit he would give you like if you were at work. You are an employee throughout the 52 weeks of your maternity leave. But you must give the correct notice in order to get the Statutory Maternity Pay: tell your employer when you want your maternity leave to start and it can be anytime from 11 weeks before the week your baby is due. When your midwife gives you the maternity certificate around the 21st week of your pregnancy, you must give it to your employer. Just remember that you can change your mind about the day you want your maternity leave to start but you must give at least 28 days notice.

- You are entitled to reasonable paid time off to attend ante-natal appointments or classes advised by your midwife. Your employer can only ask for a proof after your second appointment.

- Breastfeeding: after birth, when it’s time to go back to work, there is no need to stop breastfeeding just because you are returning to work. Many women find ways to continue breastfeeding and the employer have some obligations towards breastfeeding mothers. You have the right to ask your employer for flexible working hours, arranged around breastfeeding. Or, you can arrange for childcare close to work in order for you to breastfeed during breaks or before and after work. You can decide to express milk so that someone else can breastfeed your baby while you are at work. Employers can help breastfeeding mothers allowing mothers to have a break allowance so that mothers can express milk and the policy to support breastfeeding includes: provision of a clean, warm and private room for expressing where the mother can keep the pram or you can change nappies without the need of leaving the work place.

- Parental Leave: Parental leave is the right to take time off work to care for your child or make arrangements for your child's welfare. It is available if you have worked for your current employer for at least a year by the time you want to take the leave. Each parent is eligible for 13 weeks' leave, which you can take at any time until your child's fifth birthday or, if you have adopted a child, up to five years from the date of placement. Both parents are able to take 13 weeks, even if both of them are not living with the child at the time. However, they do have to have formal parental responsibility for the child, and they have to use the leave to care for their child. In the case of parents of a child who receives disability living allowance, the leave is 18 weeks in total and it can be taken up to the child's 18th birthday. But there is no automatic right to paid parental leave. Any payment would be at the discretion of your employer, so you may want to ask if they are prepared to make one.

Rest is also very important

Working during pregnancy then, it is possible and riskless. But due to the many changes that your body will experience during pregnancy, it is advisable for expectant mothers to take precautions while at work. Just remember to have some breaks during the day: sit down if your job requires you to stand or stand up and walk at least every two hours if you have to sit all day. Employers must, if possible, provide a suitable place for you to rest when you are pregnant or breastfeeding. This should include somewhere to lie down.

How to choose the hospital where you will give birth

Choose the hospital where you will deliver your baby is a very important decision that each mother soon has to make. There are so many different aspects and factors to consider like for example what kind of assistance you are seeking, what kind of delivery you want and the comfort of being in a hospital near home. Depending on your personality and on the state of the pregnancy, each woman has different needs anyway even though the final goal is the same: identify the ideal hospital in which she can feel comfortable during a such important and delicate moment.
In order for you to choose the location which is most acceptable for you, we would like to give you some advice to take into consideration that, together with your instinct and your doctor’s advices may help you to make the right choice.

Public Hospital or Private Clinic?

One of the first questions you have to answer is definitely understanding if you would prefer a public hospital rather that a private clinic or the other way round.

Hospitals: they are definitely the biggest and more equipped structures in case of emergencies, for both mother and baby; when it comes to choosing a hospital, your pregnancy should be regarded as a "medical condition," therefore the choice you make should be based on medical adequacy. Your natural inclination might be towards a small and friendly hospital, but choosing a big hospital that has all the adequate units to deal with any problem that might arise has clear advantages. A big hospital doesn't necessarily mean that the staff will be unfriendly or that it will be an unpleasant experience. Hospitals that use the latest neonatal-care technology are also a plus, in case you are worried about more severe complications. Probably the most important consideration in choosing a hospital would be the amount of experience this hospital has. The more experience a hospital has in dealing with special conditions and complications, the better they get at reacting to such situations. Moreover, it would be advisable to choose a hospital not too far from home as it will definitely be easier to reach.

Private clinics: they are in general smaller, comfortable and have a more relaxed atmosphere than a medical institution and you can also keep the baby next you in her/his cot. but everything will be at your expense. Though some clinics may be equipped to handle emergency cases, your midwife should be prepared to transfer you to a hospital if the need arises. Private clinics are a good option for those who want less medical intervention, but do not want to give birth at home. Be sure to check out how the centre in your area is run, what facilities are available and the staff before finalizing your choice.

What you have to consider when choosing

After you have decided what kind of hospital is more suitable according to your needs, it is very important to consider some other aspects regarding the actual delivery: to help you making the final decision.
But what are actually these important factors to take into consideration? Let’s have a look together:

- the possibility of having an active labor, in order for you to choose the best position during birth. The positions that you choose for labor and birth are important. They will help you be more comfortable during the labor process. Some positions will also help speed the process of labor. Many of these positions can be done with or without the help of your partner, husband, doula or nurse. Practicing them prior to labor will also make them seem familiar and more comfortable and natural. Birth positions may vary: you can choose a normal delivery on the bed, sideways, standing or even water birth.

- Episiotomy and oxytocin: an episiotomy is a surgical incision in the perineum (the area of skin between the vagina and the anus). It is also a large controversy in childbirth today. Episiotomy is not always necessary and should not be considered routine. So make sure that the hospital you are going to choose does not consider it as a standard procedure. Oxytocin is a hormone that helps to provoke uterus contraction and then start the labor; it is given to women with the intention of increasing the contractions.

- Epidural and anesthetics: the decision to have an epidural in your labor is best made once labor is well established. Before labor it is best to keep an open mind about all of your options, including an epidural. If you are at the hospital and you would like to have an epidural, you will probably have a consultation with the anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist before getting an epidural.

- Caesarian section: is a surgical procedure in which incision are made through a mother's abdomen and uterus to deliver one or more babies. It is usually performed when a vaginal delivery would put the baby's or mother's life or health at risk, although in recent times it has been also performed upon request for childbirths that could otherwise have been natural.

- Make sure the institution you choose is well equipped in case of emergencies and if there are neonatologists and pediatricians available 24/7.

- Minors factors: it essential to be able to immediately breastfeed your baby and let your partner assists you during labor and birth. Check with how many mothers you will share the room, visiting time and if it is possible to keep the pram next to you.

If after having considered all these factors you still have any other doubt, just let your instinct guide you and choose the hospital where you feel more comfortable and best satisfies all your needs; moreover, just remember that you can ask to visit the hospital and see with your eyes where your baby is going to be born, it can be really worth it!

Pros and cons of Epidural Anesthesia

When a woman is expecting a baby she has just one thought in mind: make the birth become a perfect moment! She will have hundreds of things to do like furnishing her baby’s room or buying everything she may need to ensure him comfort, wellness and safety like baby nappies, pram, pushchair, bath accessories, baby control and a lot more.

Besides all this, it comes the moment when every mother starts wondering how the delivery will be and the pain she will feel. Indeed, giving birth to the own baby without suffering too much it nearly seems a dream!
For this reason, many women today prefer to give birth with the help of the epidural anesthesia that doctors consider to be safe and effective as not only it provides rapid pain relief during labor but also it allows the mother to clearly feel contractions and pushing times.

What is epidural anesthesia?

The epidural anesthesia is a form of regional anesthesia involving injection of drugs through a catheter placed into the epidural space. The injection can cause both a loss of sensation and a loss of pain by blocking the transmission of signals through nerves in or near the spinal cord. In general, the injection is made in the mid-lumbar, or lower back region of the spine outside the membrane called the Dura Mater.
It is important to make clear that there is no danger to damage the spine as it is protected by a thick membrane. A particular type of needle, long and thin, is inserted between the second and the third vertebrae (or between the third and the fourth) near the peripheral nerves that gather the painful stimuli that will be transmitted to the spinal cord.
Thanks to this needle it is possible to infiltrate gradually the skin with anaesthetic conducted by a catheter; at the end of this operation the needle is taken out.
In this way, the mother does not feel pain not even during the preparatory phases but it is important that she keeps on lying on one side.

Effects on the baby

Some currents of thought affirm that for the baby the epidural anesthesia is even safer than the traditional method. Let’s see why:

- If the labor lasted for too long, it could arise a reaction to stress so strong to affect baby’s health
- In case of complications and a possible emergency Caesarean section, doctors would not waste precious time as the woman is already anesthetized and immediately ready to bear a surgery
- Epidural anesthesia shortens cervical dilatation length making labor faster
- Mother’s more relaxed body during labor entails a major oxygen contribution to the baby as well

As regards the expulsive phase, the opinions regarding its time diminution are dissenting: according to someone, compared to average, the epidural anesthesia lengthens the time of the expulsive phase as the mother does not cooperate in an effective way since she does not feel pain. Instead, according to other specialists, a capable obstetrician can make the expulsive phase even faster as everything depends on his expertise in analgesia deliveries.
Indeed, it is important to point out that a baby born with the epidural anesthesia, may show a fundamental reflexes disorganization and a delayed onset and shorter duration of breastfeeding: this difficulty may persist up to the first month.

Effects on the mother

Thanks to the help of the epidural anesthesia, many mothers experienced a different delivery without feeling pain as it may happen that some of them can’t bear the pain of the contractions for their strong intensity. Indeed, the epidural anesthesia helps the mother to relax as she does not feel pain anymore and does not contract muscles.

The epidural anesthesia, thou, does not give only benefits but also a few negative aspects.
In fact, if the woman decides to use this technique she will need a catheter to drain urine and she won’t be able to stand up all along the labor. Moreover, it can arise trembling episodes but that can be easily borne.
It is also important to point out that the epidural anesthesia does not always give pain relief: indeed some women reported shooting localized pain meaning that the anesthesia did not work properly.

Mothers, be informed!

Even if many doctors consider the epidural anesthesia a technique highly effective and safe, there are countries where this practice is less requested. On the contrary, in countries like United Kingdom and France this is very popular and widespread.
In some countries, the factors that contribute to discourage women from using it are both a lack of personnel and a 24h dedicated service in the hospitals both the psychological conditioning caused by the prejudices regarding the problems that may arise after the injection.
For this reason, the best solution is always get informed about this practice with the family doctor and the hospital where you are going to give birth.

How to protect your baby from the sun

Sunlight has undoubtedly positive effects on human health as it helps the development of the Vitamin D which acts like a hormone, regulating the formation of bones, it stimulates metabolism, it strenghtens the immune system and improves the mood.
However, an excessive or incautious exposure to sun rays may cause serious damages especially on babies delicate skins.
Indeed, baby’s skin is thinner compared to adults’ so it is more likely to be penetrated by sun rays. Furthermore, it doesn’t have the proper receptors that allow the baby to perceive the heat and her defensive cells still do not work properly. So, it is necessary to follow few simple rules to avoid that the delicate baby’s skin suffers from serious damages later in life. It has been shown that damages to the skin can arise even after many years of prolonged sun exposures.

Here is few simple rules that will help you to protect your baby from the negative effects of sun rays.

Avoid direct exposure to sun

If your baby is younger than six months, keep her out of direct sunlight. After six months she can be exposed only with particular attention. Limit the exposure to sun between 11 am and 4 pm when the sun rays are stronger and the baby’s skin is not protected at all even under the umbrella where the ultraviolet rays can bounce back from surfaces like sand or water. Wait 4 pm before having a bath or playing on the beach and take the due precautions anyway. Be sure to dress your baby in lightweight cotton clothing, to protect her eyes with child-sized CE approved sunglasses with UV protection and to cover the head with a cool hat.
In any case, babies do not have to stay in the sun for too long even during the coolest hours.

Use high protection factor sunscreen

Apply always a high protection factor sunscreen on babies skin. On the market you can find many different sunscreens for children but the best choice is the highest protection factor you manage to find. Under no circumstances, has to be applied on your baby’s skin a sunscreen with SPF inferior to 15 even if she is already tunned or she has a brown skin.
Even though the sunscreen milk is water and sweat-resistant, re-apply it more times during the day at least every 2 hours and right after bath. At home, after the bath, it is advisable to apply generously after-sun milk and moisturizing cream.

Adopt the right nutrition

In order to avoid the typical troubles and damages the sun may provoke to human body, it is advisable to follow a light diet, rich in liquids and mineral salts. It is important then choosing low fat foods like corns, yogurt, fresh dairy products like mozzarella or ricotta cheese, tomotoes, eggs, fish as well as a lot of vegetables and fruit. Make your baby drink a lot: babies easily run the risk to become dehydrated because they “forget” to be thirsty. If the baby still drinks from the baby bottle, you will have to remember to refill it often. If the baby is older, you will have to remind her from time to time to drink a little bit of water.

Pay attention to the sun in the town

Often we forget that the most dangerous sun is not only on the beach. We have to pay special attention to ultraviolet rays when our baby is playing in the park, when she is on the swing, when we are walking in the street with the pushchair and during all the other occasions we are outdoors. It is always necessary to avoid exposure during the hottest hours of the day and dress our baby with suitable clothing. If the sun is particularly hot, it is recommended to apply on our baby’s skin some sunscreen even in town. Pay also special attention to the journeys in the car as the car seat could be reached by the sun and the baby be exposed to sunrays for too long.