If an employee has just informed your company that she’s expecting a baby, you might be apprehensive about how this will change her abilities to perform her job. The good news? Pregnancy is generally a natural, healthy state, and your employee will most likely be able to carry out her duties until quite late in her pregnancy. There are a few things you can do, though, to help keep a pregnant employee happy and healthy.

Provide her with a pregnancy-healthy workspace. This means an environment free of hazardous chemicals, cigarette smoke or fumes. Exposure to environmental toxins has been linked to an increased chance of miscarriage; and in those mothers that carry their babies to term, their babies are at greater risk of low birth weight, birth defects, central nervous system disorders and other health problems. Fresh paint, harsh cleaning chemicals (such as bleach or ammonia), and pesticides are included in the list of substances and fumes that pregnant women should avoid.

But a healthy work environment is about more than just the air. Pregnant women are more likely to suffer from repetitive stress disorders like carpal tunnel syndrome, so be sure to provide administrative employees, or those who spend a lot of time on the computer, with a posture-friendly desk setup with a slide-out keyboard; ergonomic mouse, keyboard and wrist pad; and a chair that allows the user to look down, not up, at the monitor.

During pregnancy, sluggish circulation can cause pregnant employees to suffer from dizziness or fainting. Standing or sitting in one place for too long can exacerbate this problem, so make sure that standing employees have a stool or chair nearby, and that all employees are permitted to get up frequently and take a short walk or stretch.

Understand her limits. Heavy lifting, pulling or pushing, and any other activity that could cause an employee to strain her abdominal muscles or back is a no-no during pregnancy.  The same goes for climbing up on ladders, stools, or chairs. Pregnant women are dealing with an ever-changing center of balance, and a fall could injure them and their baby.

While most pregnancies are healthy and progress normally, in some cases a woman might suffer from debilitating nausea, experience pre-term labor or another condition that requires bed rest. In cases like these, work with your employee, and if applicable, your human resources department, to find out whether she is eligible for short-term disability benefits.

Be sure she’s able to stay hydrated and fed. In the early months of pregnancy, pregnant women need to eat every one and a half to two hours to keep blood sugar levels up and to avoid nausea and faintness. If a pregnant employee can’t eat at her desk or work area, be sure to give her frequent opportunities to step into another area for a snack. From a health perspective, it’s very important that pregnant women drink enough liquids; so allowing a water bottle at her work site or frequent trips for a drink are vital to her wellbeing. Especially during her pregnancy, your employee needs to be able to count on her lunch and snack breaks. Skipping or prolonging meals isn’t good for a mother or her developing baby, and can make her feel miserable—not very conducive to  productiveness!

Make allowances in her schedule for pregnancy-related appointments. Clinics, and doctors’ and midwives’ offices, usually operate during regular business hours; so if that’s your employee’s schedule, there’s likely to be some time off for healthcare appointments required. A lunch hour probably isn’t enough time to squeeze in a prenatal appointment, and don’t forget that the pregnant employee actually needs to eat on her lunch break, too! During the first half of their pregnancy, most pregnant women will need one checkup every four weeks, increasing to every other week in their seventh and eighth months, and every week in the final month of pregnancy. Your employee’s clinic or healthcare provider may occasionally request additional appointments for lab tests, ultrasounds or additional consultation.  
Be understanding. Particularly in early pregnancy, your employee might be overwhelmed by fatigue and morning sickness. If at all possible, allowing a nauseous or exhausted employee to lie down in the break room for a few minutes is a nice gesture of appreciation and consideration.

An ethical business looks out for its staff, including pregnant women. Consideration of your pregnant employee’s needs will not only help her and her growing baby stay healthy, but can also help maintain—or improve—your working relationship.

		Kip Kozlowski is a certified nurse-midwife and owner of the Greenhouse Birth Center in Okemos.  She has been caring for pregnant women and new mothers for more than 20 years.