AMA Guidelines for Working During Pregnancy
The American Medical Association (AMA) has issued guidelines in a report published by the Bureau of National Affairs on how long pregnant women can continue to work. In general, the guidelines say that a woman can work the entire 40 weeks of pregnancy if the physical demands of her job are limited to intermittent sitting and light tasks. The AMA advises stopping work when the following conditions apply:
- At 32 weeks, when jobs require intermittent standing for a total of more than 30 minutes every hour.
- At 30 weeks, if jobs involve intermittent lifting of items weighing more than 50 pounds.
- At 28 weeks, if intermittent stooping and bending below knee level between two and ten times an hour, or climbing ladders and poles more than four times in an eight-hour shift is required.
- At 24 weeks, if jobs require prolonged standing for more than four hours, or repetitive lifting of items weighing between 25 and 50 pounds.
