It is important for women who want to have children in the future or those who already do. They should think about their occupation during pregnancy. This article will consider jobs that are not advisable for pregnant women.

33 Worst Jobs to Have While Pregnant

Being a woman is hard enough, but being pregnant can make things more difficult. Not only do you have to worry about yourself, but you also have to worry about the baby you are carrying.

While some jobs are better for pregnant women than others, a few jobs are not advisable to do while pregnant. Before we consider the worst Jobs for pregnant ladies, let’s consider the laws that protect them.

Laws for Pregnant Women

Pregnancy Discrimination Act

This act was put into place in 1978 and prohibited employers from discriminating against employees based on their pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. This means she cannot be fired, demoted, or passed over for a promotion because she is pregnant.

However, this law does not protect women who are not yet pregnant. It is important for any woman who is considering getting pregnant to look into the laws of her state and country to see what protections are in place.

The act applies to all employers with 15 or more employees, so even if you are a small business, you are still required to follow these guidelines. This helps pregnant employees maintain their jobs and income while they are pregnant.

Family Medical Leave Act

The Family Medical Leave Act is a separate piece of legislation that also offers protections to pregnant employees. Passed in 1993, this law requires employers with 50 or more employees to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for medical and family reasons.

The employee can use this leave to take care of a newborn child, an adopted child, or a family member with a severe medical condition.
Pregnant employees are allowed to use this leave for prenatal care, childbirth, and recovery from childbirth.

While both of these laws are important, they do not protect every pregnant employee. If you feel that you have been discriminated against because of your pregnancy. You may want to consult with an attorney.

The OSHA

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), pregnant women should avoid exposure to aluminum, arsenic, carbon monoxide, lead, lithium, and other chemicals.

Avoid exposure to epoxies, resins, radiation, and secondhand smoke. These chemicals can be dangerous for a developing fetus and can cause birth defects.

Policy on Pregnancy & Human Rights in the Workplace in Canada

Women in the workplace are valued workers who deserve equal treatment, dignity, respect and accommodations during their pregnancies and after returning to work.

The purpose of the policy will help employers, unions, and employees operating under federal jurisdictions understand better their obligation, legal right, and duty related to pregnancy and discrimination issues.

Pregnancy rights in Canada

Pregnancy rights include being treated fairly at work, having time off from work, and being paid for your pregnancy.

In some cases, your pregnancy might prevent you from doing your work. However, if this is the case, you shouldn’t be forced to quit your job. Your employer should help you find reasonable accommodations that allow continuing working.

Accommodation is when an employer changes the workplace or your daily duties, due to a medical condition, to allow you to continue working.

Pregnancy accommodation is very important because many women need extra time to recover after giving birth. This includes:

• Modify duties not to carry heavy loads while you’re pregnant, even if it’s your job requirement.
• Provide extra time than normal for bathroom breaks.
• Allow pregnant employees extra time off for medical appointments.
• Breastfeeding should be allowed as much time as possible.

Now that we know a bit about the legal landscape let’s look at some of the worst jobs for pregnant ladies.

Jobs that pregnant ladies should avoid

1. Nurse (LPN)

Being a nurse requires a lot of work and can be extremely demanding. It is also a job that involves a lot of contact with patients, which can be risky for both the mother and the baby.

Many nurses work long hours, often on their feet, and this can be tough when you are pregnant. This will result in high-risk pregnancies for both the mother and the baby.

Additionally, nurses are at risk of exposure to hazardous materials, which can be dangerous for developing fetuses.

If you are a nurse, it might be a good idea to take some time off during your pregnancy or switch to a less demanding position.

2. Food Stocker

Working in a food warehouse can be tough, especially when pregnant. The work is often strenuous and involves lifting heavy boxes and containers. It can also be dirty and hot, which is not ideal when pregnant.

In addition to the job’s physical demands, stockers also risk exposure to harmful chemicals and bacteria. For these reasons, it is best to avoid this job while pregnant.

3. Hair Stylist

Working as a hairstylist can be tough on your body, and it is not a job that is recommended for pregnant women. The work can be exhausting and involves standing for long periods. It is also very demanding, both physically and emotionally.

Stylists are also at risk for exposure to harmful chemicals and hair products, which can be dangerous for a developing fetus.

4. Nail Salon Technician

Working as a nail technician can be tough on your body, and it is not a job that is recommended for pregnant women. Nail salon technicians are at risk for repetitive motion injuries, which can be painful and challenging to recover from during pregnancy.

Technicians are also at risk for exposure to harmful chemicals and nail products, which can be dangerous for a developing fetus. For this reason, it is best to avoid this job while pregnant.

5. Airplane Pilot

Pilots are at risk for exposure to a variety of harmful chemicals and gasses, which can be dangerous for a developing fetus. In addition, they are often required to work long hours and fly in difficult conditions.

The pilot is not a job that is recommended for pregnant women.

6. Night shift Security at a chemical plant

Working the night shift at a chemical plant can be tough on your body, and it is not a job that is appropriate for pregnant women. The work involves doing hazardous tasks in a dangerous environment.

It can also be difficult to get rest when you are working the night shift. In addition, security guards are often at risk for exposure to hazardous materials and chemicals, which can be dangerous for a developing fetus.

7. Working in a greenhouse

Working in a greenhouse can be tough on your body, and it is not a job that is advisable for pregnant women. The work involves working in hot, humid conditions. It can also be dirty and dusty.

In addition, greenhouse workers are often at risk for exposure to harmful chemicals and pesticides. Working here can be dangerous. It will harm the pregnant woman and her unborn child.

8. Elementary Teacher

Working as an elementary school teacher can be tough on your body, and it is not a job that is recommended for pregnant women. The work can be demanding and involves a lot of standing and walking. It can also be difficult to get rest when you are working.

In addition, the tasks that teachers have are not always safe for a pregnant woman. It involves a lot of interaction with young children, which can be a health hazard. Teachers are also prone to getting sick due to the amount of contact with students, fatigue, and stress.

9. Car Mechanic

Working as a car mechanic can be tough on your body, and it is not a job that is suitable for pregnant women. Their work involves a lot of contact with hazardous materials and chemicals. It can also be dirty and greasy.

In addition, mechanics are often required to work in difficult conditions and tight spaces. This can be dangerous for a pregnant woman.

10. Worst Job to Have While Pregnant – Construction worker

A construction worker is not a job that is suggested for pregnant women. The work can be laborious and involves a lot of heavy lifting and climbing. It can also be dirty and dusty.

Being a construction worker also means that you are often at risk of exposure to asbestos harmful chemicals and materials. And this means that it is not a good idea for pregnant women to take this job.

11. Gymnastics Teacher

The work can be demanding and involves a lot of standing and jumping. It can also be difficult to get rest when you are working.

Gymnastics requires a lot of energy, and it is not a good idea for pregnant women to overexert themselves. Doing so will hurt the pregnant woman and her unborn child.

12. Janitor

Working as a janitor can be tough on your body, and it is not a job that is suitable for pregnant women. Their work involves doing a lot of physical labour and cleaning up hazardous materials.

Being a janitor means that you often do tasks that are not safe for a pregnant woman, like scrubbing toilets and emptying garbage cans all day long. Scrubbing toilets can be very tough on your hands and arms, and you will be exposed to all sorts of bacteria.

Emptying garbage cans is also a hazardous task, as you will be exposed to sharp objects and a lot of dirt and grime.

13. Painter or Home improvement person

Working as a painter or home improvement person can be tough on your body, and it is not a job that is recommended for pregnant women. Painters are often required to work in difficult positions, like standing on ladders or scaffolding. This can be dangerous for a pregnant woman.

Also, painters are often required to work with hazardous materials, like paint fumes and lead paint. Lead paint is hazardous for pregnant women as it can cause developmental problems for the unborn child.

14. Physical Therapist

The work involves a lot of standing and walking. Being a physical therapist means that you are often working with injured or sick patients. This can be a health hazard for a pregnant woman.

15. Maid/housekeeper

Working as a maid or housekeeper involves doing a lot of physical labour, like cleaning and dusting. In addition, maids and housekeepers are often required to work in difficult positions, like bending over or reaching up high.

This can be tough on a pregnant woman’s body. Also, maids and housekeepers are often exposed to cleaning products and chemicals, such as bleach, which can be harmful to a pregnant woman and her unborn child.

16. Worst Job to Have While Pregnant – Trash collector

Collecting trash involves a lot of lifting and carrying heavy bags of garbage. It can also be dirty and smelly. In addition, being a trash collector means that you are exposed to all sorts of hazardous materials, like sharp objects and toxic chemicals.

Their work is not appropriate for pregnant women because it can be very tough on their bodies, and it is not safe for their unborn child.

17. X-Ray tech

Working as an X-ray technician can be dangerous for a pregnant woman and her unborn child. This is because they are exposed to radiation while they are working. Radiation exposure can cause developmental problems for the unborn child, and it is not something that a pregnant woman should take lightly.

18. Respiratory Therapist

Working as a respiratory therapist can be dangerous for pregnant women. They are exposed to hazardous materials, like bacteria and viruses.

In addition, respiratory therapists often work with sick patients, which means that they are at a higher risk of exposure to illness.

19. Working at a daycare

Working at a daycare can be dangerous for pregnant women. This is because they are around children all day, and children are often carriers of illness.

In addition, daycare workers are often required to do a lot of lifting and bending because they constantly lift children and move around furniture. This can be tough on a pregnant woman’s body.

20. Chef/Cook/Barista at Starbucks

Working in a kitchen can be dangerous for pregnant women. This is because they are around sharp objects and hot surfaces all day. In addition, chefs and cooks often work with raw meat, which can be a health hazard for pregnant women.

Baristas at Starbucks have to deal with hot liquids and machinery all day. This activity is tough on a pregnant woman’s body, and it is not a safe job for pregnant women.

21. Subway sandwich maker

Working at a Subway can be tough on a pregnant woman’s body. Being on their feet and walking around causes excessive strain on their body. In addition, sandwich makers have to deal with hot surfaces and sharp objects. Which means danger for a pregnant woman.

22. Worst Job to Have While Pregnant – Bartender/Waitress

Working as a bartender or waitress can be dangerous for pregnant women as they are constantly on their feet and walking around. In addition, bartenders and waitresses often have to deal with drunk people, a safety hazard for a pregnant woman.

23. Prison guard

Being a correctional officer can be dangerous for pregnant women. They’re under stress from watching criminals all day. Furthermore, corrections officers often have to deal with violent inmates, which can be a safety hazard for a pregnant woman.

24. A mail person

Working as a mail person can be tough on a pregnant woman’s body because they constantly walk and carry heavy mailbags. Additionally, mail carriers are often exposed to elements like rain and snow, which can be tough on a pregnant woman.

25. Lady Plumber

A plumber can be tough on a pregnant woman’s body as they’re constantly crouching, kneeling, and lifting heavy objects. Moreover, plumbers often have to deal with gross things, like sewage. This can bring on morning sickness for a pregnant woman.

26. Paramedic

Being a paramedic can be dangerous for pregnant women due to constant exposure to sick people. Besides, paramedics often have to deal with gruesome scenes, which can be tough on a pregnant woman’s body and mind.

27. Veterinary technician

Working as a veterinary technician can be tough on a pregnant woman’s body. This is because they constantly deal with sick animals and dangerous equipment like needles. In addition, many animals at vet clinics carry parasites, which can be tough on a pregnant woman’s unborn child.

28. Worst Job to Have While Pregnant – House Cleaner

Working as a housecleaner can be tough on a pregnant woman’s body due to constant bending, lifting, and cleaning. On top of that, housecleaners often have to deal with harsh chemicals. They are also at a higher risk of being injured by slips and falls.

29. Healthcare worker-nursing aid, doctor, dentist

Working in the healthcare field can be dangerous for pregnant women. Their work involves lifting patients, being on their feet for long periods, and exposure to sick patients and diseases.

Their nature of work can also lead to a high level of stress, which can be tough on a pregnant woman’s body. Changes in posture and balance may cause backaches, varicose veins, and an increased risk of injury.

30. Puppy caregiver/Pet Groomer

Working with animals can be tough on a pregnant woman’s body. Pet groomers often have to deal with sharp tools and harsh chemicals. They are also at a higher risk of being bitten or scratched by the animals they are working with.

31. Gas station attendant

Gas station attendants are constantly on their feet and dealing with customers. In addition, gas station attendants often have to deal with harsh chemicals. They also had to deal with the fumes from the gas pumps, which can be dangerous for a pregnant woman.

32. Massage Therapist

A massage therapist’s job is to give massages to their clients, which is a relaxing and therapeutic experience for the client. But for pregnant women, it can be tough on their bodies as they’re constantly on their feet and bending over.

In addition, massage therapists often have to deal with naked clients, which can be awkward and uncomfortable for a pregnant woman.

33. Logger

Being a logger can be tough on a pregnant woman’s body. This is because they constantly lift heavy objects and work in dangerous conditions. Working as a logger can mean exposure to harsh chemicals and loud noises. It can also be a very physically demanding job and tough on pregnant women.

Why is working in a light job important while pregnant?

Working a light job while pregnant is important for a few reasons:

• It can help prevent backaches, varicose veins, and other health problems.
• It can help reduce the amount of stress a pregnant woman experiences.
• It can help prevent injuries.

A Simple Tip!

Aside from choosing a light job to make money, another thing that pregnant women should consider is exercising. Prenatal exercise is good for the mother and the baby. It can help improve the mother’s mood, ease back pain, and help the baby grow healthy and strong.

In conclusion to worst jobs to have while pregnant

There are several jobs that pregnant women should avoid in the quest to make money because they can be dangerous for the mother and unborn child. Jobs that involve constant exposure to sick people, harsh chemicals, or strenuous activity are not advisable for pregnant women.

Pregnant women should also consider working in a light job to reduce the amount of stress they experience.