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Many working, pregnant women face the 'how long can continue to work for?' question at some stage during their pregnancy and the answer is, probably until labor starts providing you are having a healthy pregnancy and your job doesn't present risk or strain.

Consider your needs and decide how long you wish to work. Some women like to work as long as they can so that they don't waste any maternity leave and can use more of it after their baby is born. Others get tired or uncomfortable and it becomes difficult for them to work, especially if they have a strenuous or stressful job or commute. Talk to your doctor about your situation. While you are working, you want to maintain your health and ensure that your baby has a healthy environment in which to grow and develop. Here are some tips:

Some foods and smells can trigger nausea during pregnancy. What you once loved may now make you queasy. Recognize these changes and stay clear of these foods and smells so you don't make your nausea worse. Both hunger and an overly full tummy can cause increased queasiness so have a stash of crackers nearby to nibble on when nausea hits.

Drink 6-8 glasses of water a day to stay hydrated. Dehydration will make your morning sickness worse. Get plenty of sleep and allow yourself more time to get ready for work in the morning. Fatigue and stress will also increase nausea. You might feel tired much of the time, especially during the first and third trimesters and even more so after a long day at work. Take regular breaks, take a short walk (outside if you can) and move around. If your job is physical, try to take more rest periods. Rest periods will also help you concentrate. You may want to close your office door, put your feet up and close your eyes for a few minutes during lunch or on a break.

Afternoon tiredness is common in early and late pregnancy. Schedule your day so that you are busiest in the morning while you still have energy. Depending on the demands of your job you may need to curtail personal, out of work activities so that rest is a priority thus helping you remain fresh for the workplace. Energy levels can be improved through light exercise. Speak to your physician about continuing your pre-pregnancy exercise routine. You should also seek his/her advice if you are looking to start exercising during pregnancy.

All help should be gratefully accepted whether in the workplace or at home. You can always return the favor after you and your baby are on a regular schedule and you are feeling like your old self again. Get others to do the daily, physical tasks like housework and shopping and, if you can afford it, hire someone to do these jobs. That way, you can get the extra rest you'll need to do your job every day. Don't fear the bed and sleep when you need to. You don't have to stay up until midnight to get that extra work done, just because you always did before. Your baby and your overburdened body need all the sleep they can get.

Move around frequently to ease the stress on your muscles and back. You may find that standing, lifting and even sitting for long periods of time will make you tired or sore now, so listen to your body. Many companies supply an ergonomic chair for office workers if you have a note from your doctor. Chairs with adjustable arms and height, and a firm back can help. You can also bring in a small pillow to support your lower back while you sit. Put your feet up on a box, wastebasket or stool to take the weight off your lower back and reduce foot and leg swelling. Plan for those extra trips to the bathroom. Don't try to hold it!

A stressful job may necessitate time off. Neither you nor your baby need the grief. Discuss options for alleviating stress with your boss and coworkers. Seek the advice of your doctor also. They may have suggestions and advice. Yoga and other forms of relaxation classes can be hugely beneficial for pregnant women. Physical and mental relaxation are achieved via these methods and will help you cope much better with the stresses of work. Fill your doctor in on pressures within your job. The risk of pregnancy complications are higher in some jobs than others.

High risk jobs include: %u2022 The aforementioned lifting especially heavy lifting (strenuous work has been shown to increase the risk of premature birth. Also, the likelihood of pre-eclampsia or hypertension and low birth weight babies is increased). %u2022 Lots of demanding walking or ascending and prolonged standing (premature birth is also associated with long periods of standing). %u2022 Working in close proximity to toxic chemicals, dust, radiation, infectious diseases or fumes. %u2022 An extremely, consistently noisy environment especially if there is a lot of vibration. %u2022 Any prolonged travelling. %u2022 Irregular, shift work with long hours or frequent changes of shift causes fatigue which increases risk. %u2022 Extremes of temperatures. %u2022 You're not going to be terribly supple or have amazing balance so if you job requires those attributes you may have a problem.

If you must continue to work throughout your pregnancy and your job is high-risk, talk to your employer about taking a temporary position elsewhere until after the baby is born. Talk to your doctor and/or your midwife about what you are feeling and change your plans if your pregnancyor health is being affected by work.