Women who are serving in the military are playing a far more active role today than at any other time in the past. Just like others, women in the military would like to raise families, but will also have to face challenges related to pregnancy that are going to affect her mind, body and chosen career choice. Anticipating these issues and dealing with them properly will ensure a less difficult and smoother pregnancy.


Lack of Unified Pregnancy Policy

Unfortunately, the Department of Defense has not formulated a unified policy related to pregnant military personnel and so each military service has to tailor their policies to suit individual requirements. Though many policies across the services are the same, many are also different in important ways. It therefore makes sense to find out which rules are being enforced and how they can benefit individual pregnant military personnel.


Full Term of Pregnancy

The entire pregnancy period is measured in terms of weeks and in typical cases full term pregnancy is deemed to last for 40 weeks following the first day of her latest menstrual period. Once pregnancy has been established, a visit to a health education nurse to obtain orientation regarding proper prenatal care is called for. The first provider visits should take place between the 10th as well as 12th weeks of pregnancy. After that, routine visits need to be made every 4 weeks until the 32nd week after which visits up to the 36th week will have to be made on a fortnightly basis. Finally, weekly visits will have to be made until delivery.


Minimizing Risks

The services do try to ensure that there is minimal risk to the unborn baby. Towards this end, the military has defined restrictions which among other aspects relate to duties on the field, in flying and diving as well as the handling of dangerous substances. In addition, certain restrictions have also been defined by the services regarding post delivery activities. For example, following childbirth, transfers as well as field duties will be deferred for periods of up to 4 months (for the Army and Air Force), though the Army also has its own Family Care Plan. For USMC, the restrictions apply for 6 months while for the Navy; these are applicable for one year.


Entitled to Receiving Benefits

The family-to-be is also entitled to receive select benefits. For example, pregnant women in the Navy may be allowed to move into government homes prior to the birth of the baby. Furthermore, if the pregnant servicewoman separates from service prior to delivery, she can get 6 weeks of maternity care following the delivery of her baby.


Equality is A Major Concern

All services have lain down that both men and women personnel will be given equal opportunities to advance in their career and that pregnancy will not detract in any way from this kind of equality. In regard to military women and pregnancy, the best way to ensure a happy pregnancy is to ensure that you are knowledgeable about your rights and responsibilities.