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Expert Q&A:
Is it safe to continue custodial work until I deliver my baby?

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Margaret Freda
Answered by Margaret Freda Ed.D., R.N., C.H.E.S., F.A.A.N.
"I've been a professional nurse working with pregnant women and parenting families since 1966," says Margaret Comerford Freda. "Pregnant women and parents need to know as much as possible about their own health and that of their children."

Margaret Comerford Freda, Ed.D., R.N., C.H.E.S., F.A.A.N., is a Professor in the Department of Obstetrics &; Gynecology and Women's Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, and also serves as Director of Patient Education Programs for that department. Since 1993, Dr. Freda has been the Consultant for Nursing at the National March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation and the Chair of the National March of Dimes Nurse Advisory Council. In addition, Dr. Freda serves as the editor of MCN, The American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing.

Dr. Freda received her Master's Degree in Nursing from New York University and her doctorate in Health Education from Columbia University. She has worked in women's health for her entire professional career. Dr. Freda has published 50 research articles in professional journals, and is a frequently invited speaker at nursing and medical conferences. She has written two books: Perinatal Patient Education, published by Lippincott Williams &; Wilkins, and Miscarriage After Infertility, published by Fairview Press, written with her daughter Carrie Semelsberger, who is also a nurse.

Dr. Freda has received several noteworthy awards, such as the Distinguished Professional Service Award and the First National Award for Excellence in Nursing Research from the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN), the Woman of Distinction Award and the Maternal Child Nurse of the Year Award from the March of Dimes, the Patient Care Award for Excellence in Patient Education from the American Academy of Family Physicians, the Research Recognition Award from Molloy College, and several Outstanding Research Paper awards at national conferences. She serves on the Scientific Advisory Council for the March of Dimes, and was selected to serve on the Select Panel of the Centers for Disease Control to advise on prenatal health. Dr. Freda has developed patient education booklets and videotapes that are now distributed nationally.

Dr. Freda has been married for four decades. She has two daughters, two sons-in-law, three grandsons, and a granddaughter.
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Question


I'm a custodial worker and I'm 6 months pregnant. Is it safe to be working up until delivery?

Answer


Though people sometimes treat pregnancy as if it were an illness, pregnancy is normal, and therefore almost anything you choose to do while you're pregnant won't hurt you. There are exceptions, of course. Using drugs, tobacco, or alcohol is dangerous in pregnancy, and certain high-risk activities that could result in your falling aren't a good idea. But in general women can do all their normal activities while pregnant. Since you are a custodial worker, I'd advise you to be careful about inhaling any high-powered cleaning solvents (use a face mask and gloves if there are fumes), and I'd suggest that you be good to yourself and not try to pick up or carry very heavy objects during this last stage of pregnancy. Most of all, follow the clues your body is giving you. If you feel fine at work, then all is well. If you have troublesome symptoms such as cramps or headaches, then talk to your health care provider.

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