Am I required to wear Maternity Uniforms while pregnant or postpartum?
The certified maternity uniform is mandatory for all pregnant Service members in the Navy, when the regular uniform no longer fits. Enlisted Service members will be given a clothing allowance upon presenting the pregnancy notification from the CO/OIC to the personnel support detachment (PERSUPPDET). Service members are exempt from the physical readiness program (PRP) during pregnancy and for 9 months following delivery and are therefore not required to purchase larger sized Navy PTUs. Per ACOG and the DOD/VA Uncomplicated Pregnancy Clinical Practice Guideline (DOD/VA UPCPG), Service members with uncomplicated pregnancies should continue to perform an individualized exercise program that incorporates regular mild to moderate exercise in sessions of 30 minutes duration, three or more times per week during the pregnancy. Pregnant Service members may wear the PTU shirt out and will discontinue wearing the PTU when it becomes too tight. The Service member is expected to wear regular uniforms upon returning to duty, however, COs may approve the wear of maternity uniforms up to six months from the date of delivery based on medical officer diagnosis and/or recommendations.
Can I wear tennis shoes while pregnant?
At the discretion of a HCP, a pregnant Service member may be issued a tennis shoe chit, specifying the duration of wear. Tennis shoes shall be worn in an inconspicuous manner (e.g. all black) and worn without blousing straps for the trousers (e.g. NWUs).
Advancement
Am I required to complete a "special PFA" for frocking or promotion purposes?
Pregnant and postpartum Service members are exempt from "special PFAs" required for frocking and promotion purposes. Service members shall not be forced to take a PFA before their "pregnancy waiver" period has expired for the sole purpose of frocking and promotion (e.g. CPO-365 Phase II), as indicated in CFL Operating Guidebook 8: Managing PFA Records for Pregnant Servicewomen (JAN 2021).
A "pregnancy waiver" does not meet the requirements for withholding advancement. Pregnant and postpartum Service members shall not have their frocking deferred or their advancement withdrawn, unless the Service member was not recommended for retention and/or is undergoing administrative separation processing.
∙ If the Service member's nine-month waiver expires during one PFA cycle (Jan-June or July-Dec) the member is then automatically rolled to participate in the next PFA cycle.
∙ PFA cycle dates cannot be shifted for the individual Service member.
∙ A special PFA will not be conducted.
∙ PRIMS should annotate the member had a pregnancy waiver for every cycle the member is exempt (do not enter it as a medical waiver).
Note: If the member is struggling with the BCA, the CO has the authority to assign the member to FEP, provided they have been medically cleared by their HCP.
For more information, see CFL Operating Guide: Managing PFA Records for Pregnant Servicewomen (JAN 2021).
Am I subject to the new BCA Spot Checks while within my 9-month postpartum PFA waiver?
No, postpartum Service members are exempt from the BCA spot checks while in their 9-month postpartum PFA waiver period.
Am I required to participate in the PFA or command PT if I have a miscarriage or abortion?
The Service member's HCP may waive participation from the PFA and command PT for a set period of time, while the Service member recovers.
For more information, see CFL Operating Guide: Managing PFA Records for Pregnant Servicewomen (JAN 2021).
Breastfeeding in the Workplace
Can I breastfeed at work?
The Navy continues to encourage and support accommodations to best meet the needs of our nursing Service members and their infants. Service members who continue to provide breast milk upon return to duty will be, at the minimum, afforded the availability of a clean, secluded space (not a toilet space) with ready access to running water for handwashing and pump equipment cleaning near or within the same room as the lactation room. The lactation room must also have electrical outlets and be located within a reasonable proximity of the workspace. The number of breaks needed to express breast milk is greatest when the infant is youngest, then gradually decreases. Commands must ensure breastfeeding Service members are afforded access to cool storage for expressed breast milk.
Requests to breastfeed infants during duty hours are handled on a case-by-case basis and accommodations of these requests remain at the discretion of each Service member's Commanding Officer.
For more information, see our Breastfeeding in the Navy page
I am concerned about possible lactation hazards where I work. What should I do?
Discuss potential occupational hazards with your health care provider (HCP). Also, verify if a Military Treatment Facility (MTF) and/or Fleet Industrial Hygienist have evaluated the presence of possible reproductive and lactation hazards at your command, to include potential exposure to agents on the NAVENVHLTHCEN list.
This is normally conducted during the baseline industrial hygiene site survey. Positive findings are reported directly to the Commanding Officer, Safety Officer, and Senior Medical Department Representative (SMDR).
Also see, Support of Servicewomen in Lactation and Breastfeeding (BUMEDINST 6000.14B)
Housing
Can I live in the BEQ/BOQ while pregnant?
A pregnant Service member with no family members may reside in Bachelor Quarters for her full term.
Can a single pregnant servicewoman live in Government Housing?
Commanding Officers may authorize single pregnant Service members to move into government housing based on availability before the birth of the child.
Can I receive BAH before my dependent child is born?
The Commanding Officer can authorize BAH, if requested, in order for a Service member to occupy off-base housing prior to the 20th week of pregnancy. Once the service member is 20+ weeks, the host commander must approve the request to occupy off-base housing.
Family Care Plan
When am I required to submit my Family Care Plan?
You are required to maintain a Family Care Plan (FCP) when you meet one or more of the following requirements: single parent, domestically separated parent, dual military parent, have custody of a minor child, and/or are a divorced Service member with minor children. Refer to OPNAVINST 1740.4E.
Flight Status
Can I remain in flight status if I’m pregnant?
Flight personnel are authorized to fly with the concurrence of their CO, obstetrician and flight surgeon after requesting to continue to fly while pregnant. This request will initiate the convening of a Local Board of Flight Surgeons (LBFS), in order to assess the health of the pregnant Service member and the potential impact flying may have on the Service member and their unborn child(ren). If the LBFS assesses acceptable risk to continue flying, a waiver to fly during the second trimester only will be granted from the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute (NAMI). However, flying during pregnancy is prohibited in single-piloted aircraft, ejection seat aircraft, high performance aircraft that will operate in excess of 2Gs, aircraft involved in shipboard operations, or flights with cabin altitudes that exceed 10,000 feet.
Pregnancy and Parenthood Mobile Application
These references and additional resources can also be found by utilizing the Pregnancy and Parenthood mobile application. To download visit your Android/iOS mobile device application store and type key word "seawarrior" or "Pregnancy and Parenthood."
POC: ALTN_PregnancyandParenthood@navy.mil
Separations/EAOS - SEE COVID-19 NOTIFICATION AT TOP OF PAGE
Can I request to separate due to pregnancy?
Pregnant Service members may request separation due to pregnancy. Requests are normally denied, unless it is determined to be in the best interest of the Navy or if the member demonstrates overriding and compelling factors of personal need which warrant separation. Refer to MILPERSMAN 1910-112 (enlisted) MILPERSMAN 1920-180 (officer).