To the Editor:“Commuting While Pregnant: A Long Ride Could Be a Risky One” (In Her Words, nytimes.com, April 19) contributes to the larger conversation about how inflexible work cultures and policy stagnation are disadvantaging pregnant women and their families. As a nursing student, I have had classes devoted to the extreme pressure pregnant women face to be both dedicated mothers and diligent employees. Yet as a young educated woman who is entering an area of the health care field traditionally viewed as female, I still worry about how I will be viewed in my workplace during pregnancy. Why wouldn’t I be worried, when research has shown that pregnant women are less likely to receive promotions and positive performance evaluations. Perhaps, by prioritizing the basic needs of pregnant women and their families, we can have a different answer.

Source: New York Times April 30, 2019 18:45 UTC