Health and safety at work is a critical issue for all workers. However, there are extra precautions that need to be taken for pregnant, recently given birth and breastfeeding employees. The potential risks these workers may face and the precautions to be taken can directly affect the health of both mother and baby. Therefore, it is critical to take special precautions for this group of employees and to determine the working conditions appropriate for this group.

Pregnancy and the postnatal period can affect a woman's physical and mental capacity. Therefore, their working hours and rest periods should be adjusted to take into account the fact that they are pregnant or have recently given birth.

Pregnancy can lead to postural problems such as back pain. Therefore, precautions should be taken, such as ergonomic organization of the workplace, and pregnant or recently given birth employees should work sitting down.

For pregnant women, the risk of falling is a serious threat to the health of both mother and baby. Therefore, pregnant workers should not work in places where there is a risk of falling, such as platforms or stairs.

Stress factors such as work stress, workload, fear of losing their job can have more serious consequences for these workers. They should therefore be protected from such stressors.
Pregnant and breastfeeding workers should be provided with appropriate conditions for physical and mental rest.

In an emergency, they may need to intervene quickly. It is therefore recommended that these workers should not work alone, or at least be in constant contact with means of communication.
Physical factors such as noise, vibration and ionizing radiation can pose a risk to pregnant and nursing mothers. Exposure to such factors should therefore be minimized or eliminated altogether.

Hazardous chemicals and some biological agents can adversely affect fetal development. Therefore, work with such substances should be avoided.

For pregnant women, situations such as lifting heavy loads or standing for long periods of time may pose a risk. These activities should be avoided, and if necessary, a change of job should be made.

All employees must be informed about the special needs of pregnant and breastfeeding women. This is important to prevent possible discrimination and to build empathy in the work environment.

The following recommendations are for general information purposes. Every individual's body structure, health condition and needs are different. For this reason, we strongly recommend that you consult your doctor before starting any of the following recommendations.

As blood volume increases during pregnancy, the need for iron also increases. Iron deficiency anemia is a common condition during pregnancy. Therefore, it is recommended that you take iron supplements recommended by your doctor.

In the first months of pregnancy, folic acid is very important for the healthy development of the baby's nervous system. Taking enough folic acid before and during pregnancy can reduce the risk of certain congenital defects.

Calcium is essential for the development of the baby's bones and teeth. If the mother does not get enough calcium, the baby will draw calcium from the mother's bones, which can negatively affect the mother's bone health.

Omega-3 fatty acids, especially DHA, play a critical role in infants' brain and eye development.

Vitamin D promotes better absorption of calcium and contributes to the baby's bone development.

Taking supplements without your doctor's recommendation can be harmful, so always consult your doctor.

You should follow a careful dietary plan to consume protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals in a balanced way. Particular attention should be paid to the consumption of vegetables and fruit.

With your doctor's approval, you can include activities such as light aerobic exercises, swimming or walking in your daily routine.

Pregnancy is very tiring for the body, so getting enough and quality sleep is of great importance.

Alcohol and smoking can harm the baby, so these substances should be avoided.

You should try to manage your stress through meditation, deep breathing techniques or simply relaxing in a quiet environment.

Throughout your pregnancy, you should not neglect regular visits to your specialist doctor to closely monitor the health of mother and baby.

Finally, SMA testing before conception allows you to make informed decisions by identifying the possible risk of Spinal Muscular Atrophy in the baby in advance. If you haven't done so, we strongly recommend that you take your SMA test.