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Pregnancy is a disability, law prof. says

Being pregnant can certainly pose challenges to a lot of women, to the extent that a law professor is alleging that it should be considered a disability.
Associate law professor Jeannette Cox at the University of Dayton says that pregnancy should be qualified as a disability in the workplace, so that moms can receive equal protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Doing so would allow moms-to-be special provisions on the job, like light duty, drinking water on the job, more restroom breaks, and most importantly keeping their jobs.
"The goal there of course is to get pregnant women accommodations so they can continue working as they can hopefully up to the moment of birth," Cox told local Ohio news station WDTN.

Do you think pregnancy should be protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act?

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Comment by HHTWINMOM on February 20, 2012 at 4:37pm: Well I was on fmla since oct for shortened cervix with twins... My fmla was up jan 26 and I was let go from my job feb 17..... I don't think this is fair especially when I told then I would be back in 3 weeks..

Comment by mama0313 on January 16, 2012 at 4:24pm: anyone who has ever been pregnant for any amount of time would agree imo. to not give a prego woman some special attention while prego is child abuse imo. we deserve it, but most importantly our babies health depends on it.

Comment by tkowatch on January 16, 2012 at 12:29pm: I completely agree. When I was pregnant with my LO my doctor put me on "light duty". But the company I worked for said they didn't have any positions to accomadate light duty so I was sent home for the remainder of my pregnancy. I was only about 4 months pregnant at the time. Luckily for me though my company did offer short term disability for 3 months then long term disability for the remainder of my maternity leave, but they made it a real hassle to get it, but once I did it was a life savor even though it was only a portion of what I was used to bringing home.

Comment by cassienia on January 13, 2012 at 11:56am: I am in agreement. I would consider it a short-term disability. I know the word disability seems to have negative connotations to it, but to me, it merely means that the person needs a little help and a few more accommodations than the average person. And pregnant women certainly fall into that category, if only for a short period of time. I am fortunate enough to work for very kind, baby-loving, accommodating bosses, but I know that not all moms are so lucky.

Comment by Monica E. on January 13, 2012 at 2:41am: Yes! It is a natural part of life and in order to make sure mothers maintain a balanced, healthy life they should be able to lighten their physical work load (if necessary by dr orders), use the restroom, snack and have their jobs protected.