Jennifer, I am the one whole started that discussion. I don't know of many other women who have been able to combine motherhood and CRM and wanted to get some input as well.

I worked up until I was almost 8 months pregnant. I chose not to inform the company I worked for at the time because of personal choice. I was older and high risk, I didn't want to have to explain the loss of a pregnancy to my co-workers if things didn't work out. I did inform my immediate supervisor early on and when things turned out OK, I told my co-workers and the rest of the company when I was 5 months along.

It was rough being in the field toward the end. Mercifully, I did not have any morning sickness and any of the other early telltale signs. I carried small to start so no one knew until I was much further along. I did get huge toward the end and I know it was comical for my crew to watch me get in and out of a deep one meter test unit.

My Dr. and mid-wife were fine with my continuing to work, the company I work for was less so. They worried that something would go wrong and that they would be liable, but fortunately everything turned out well. I was mostly on Phase II and Phase IIIs during that time which helped. My only limitation was not to lift anything over 25 pounds, but I did backfill units and do my job just the same as always. The hard part was not being able to use insect repellant, as DEET and pregnancy don't mix. I suffered through terrible mosquitos and poison ivy as well (prednisol was off limits as well).

I took advantage of the Family medical leave Act and spent 12 weeks at home. My partner was only able to take off two weeks from work. His company was not at all understanding about the father's role and need to bond.

In the end, I feel I benefited for continuing field work. It kept me fit and my mind off what could have gone wrong. The problem now is being away from home and my child. The guilt of that far outways any of the physical problems I endured during the pregancy.

Hi dirtdiva. I apologize for not being able to exactly remember where the thread was, but I now remember your message. I suppose that is a sign that the new forums are getting to be quite busy, since I can't keep track of all the new threads and messages. 8-)

Thanks for your story. I can't even imagine having to get in and out of a unit with a big belly... that's amazing. I would imagine that being pregnant would change everything, and you would have to think about all of those little decisions that you wouldn't have given a second thought to before, like wearing insect repellent.

This is something that I haven't heard discussed, but I think it's a good topic. I have known some women who have had kids while working in archaeology, but all of them had decided that it merited taking a break to do something else besides fieldwork. I am interested in hearing from women that were successful in meeting the challenges that this kind of a situation would bring, and those who didn't necessarily want (or need) to give up doing fieldwork.

Yes, there all sort of things that I had to consider once I was pregnant and in the field. I was limited to the sort of sites I could excavate. After 18 weeks the sense of hearing is developed in a baby. That meant I couldn't be near a backhoe or jackhammer or any other industrial noise. The vibrations and decibel levels could have resulted in hearing loss for the baby. Some sunscreens were off limits as well. And it was also hard to arrange visits to my mid-wife during the middle of projects.

It is also hard to eat well when you aren't pregnant and on per diem jobs. It near impossible to get your nutritional needs met when you are pregnant! I brought a small dorm fridge with me on projects so I could go to the grocery store and buy healthy foods and eat well. This also helped keep me away from the bar scene and the temptation of beer. I did manage to buy O'Douls on per diem and get reimbursed, something that would never have happened if I purchased real beer.

I had to work to keep my health coverage. In the end I got a statement from my insurance company which stated that my entire pregnancy cost over $30,000. I could not have afforded that on my own.

I recently worked with a woman that stayed in the field until into the 9th month (i believe). Thankfully she was directing a rather sedentary proejct (cemetery removal) and was able to spend large parts of the very hot (July) days under a tarp, reviewing details and directing the dig - often from a chair. But she was also climbing down into the very deep pit, bending over remains to examine them, etc. I give her a lot of credit for keeping at it so long, especially when I have seen far too many people over the years complaining of stiff back, sore feet, hot days, etc - trying to make excuses for not giving a full days work. while I know these can all be real pains and problems, I am speaking of the ones that seem to feel much better once the field day is done and the after hours activities get underway 8-)

DM

I left archaeology while pregnant, but only because the company I worked for did not have any transfers. My hubby works fiber, so I went to work for them. I ended up in the field until th 8 1/2 month. I loved it. It kept me in shape and I enjoyed.

I think each woman is different and she needs to really listen to her body. PLUS, as dirtdiva indicated, there are developmental issues with the baby to consider.

I worked in the field throughout my pregnancy. The only thing my boss had me stop surveying out in the desert when it was over 100 degress. Other than that, I dug, backfilled, and surveyed like every other day!