Guidance for new and expecting mothers in the workplace
Being pregnant or a new mother is no reason to prevent you from working and developing your career if you so wish. Many women continue to work while they are pregnant and return to work while they are breastfeeding. However, in many workplaces there are risks which may affect the health and safety of new and expectant mothers and that of their child. There are specific laws which require employers to protect the health and safety of new and expectant mothers and working conditions which are generally considered acceptable may no longer be so during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
It is hoped that guidance provided on this website may help to answer some of the questions you may have about continuing to work while pregnant or about returning to work after giving birth. It sets out what action you need to take and what action your employer should take to protect your health and safety and that of your child.
You may be wondering the role your heath care professional can take in relation to your health and safety.
Health professionals play a vital role during pregnancy and birth. In most cases primary care will be the main option for advice on work-related ill health. This means that if you experiencing health problems as a new or expectant mother the first point of contact should be your GP or Midwife.
Obviously, is important that health professionals are aware of an employers' responsibilities for managing work-related ill health and exposure potential risks in the workplace.
If a new mother experiences a health problem it will be the role of the health professional to consider whether conditions in the workplace may have precipitated it. If any health problems are identified then health professionals can provide written advice on the mother's health, which she can then give to her employer. The employer is then has a responsibility to take the advice into account when conducting a specific risk assessment.