Need ADVICE is 4 weeks postpartum too soon to go back to work?!

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello everyone,

All your advice is greatly needed.

I will be starting a new job as a new nurse and will get through about 10 weeks (out of 18 weeks) of my orientation period before I will have to leave for maternity. I know I will not be covered under FMLA but I am hoping my employer will be understand and know this is only a temporary leave. I want to return ASAP since I will still be in my training period. I want to return after 4 weeks what do you all think? The unit I will be working on has a 2 pt maximum so its not like I am on a busy med surge floor running around crazy all day, which is a perk in this situation.

I know its not the ideal situation for my new baby but it is what I feel is the best for my career at his time. I would hate to loose my dream job because I am going to leave to have my little miracle.

I have a very supportive husband and several family members who are going to take over the care of my little one while I am at work.

Please let me know if you all think this can be done after 4 weeks. I know God will make it work out the way it should but all advice is welcome.

Thanks and God bless.

In the hospital where I work you are required to commit to all of the training period. If you are unable to complete it then your job is not available. It is in the agreement that is signed when hired. I would look over the terms of your employment before you talk to your manager so you are aware of what options you have.

This is what I am worried about and I am going to look into their policy for their training program. I will complete the program I will just not complete it in the 18 week time frame. I would think they have had to have similar situations such as this before where a trainee needed to take time off due to illness, pregnancy or family emergencies. I know I cant be the first so I am hoping they have some policy in place for when this sort of situation arises. I know they saw all my potential during the interview process, this job was very very competitive to get so I think they already have faith in me! I will have 10 weeks to prove what a great nurse Im going to make before I leave for the 4 weeks and I pray they will see me through. I will be their for years to come and that is what matters.

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A short answer: sure.

At 3 weeks post partum, I went back to work (and I rode my bicycle the 3 miles there and back), and I felt great. That would be with my second daughter.

With my first one, I lost so much blood, I couldn't go back to work (part time CNA job in nursing home) at 8 weeks, I was still anemic and sick. At that point, my boss basically told me if I didn't come back I was fired, but I decided I didn't want to work there anyway, so that was the end of it. I honestly think I could not have gone back to work for at least four months, between the severe anemia, the nausea and activity intolerance that accompanied it, the post partum depression that hit because of the side effects of the anemia, and the fact that my daughter was early and didn't nurse well for quite some time.

I worked at a physician's practice that allowed babies to accompany their moms, and some of our nurses returned part time at 2 weeks post partum. I just depends on you and your baby.

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Specializes in OB (with a history of cardiac).

Honestly? I think so. As others have said, it depends on you, your body and what your provider says. I started my first RN job when my 2nd was 3 months old and it was physically and emotionally very hard on me. I was dead set on breastfeeding and taking time out to pump when I was on days during orientation was highly frowned on (in fact, in the words one nurse "oh you think your going to get to leave to pump? That s*** had better stop now honey!") On top of being tired from getting up in the night to nurse the baby, and missing her to death (and my 3 year old too!) it was very hard.

I don't mean to sound like a downer! I'm glad you have a job and it's so exciting to be expecting!

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Specializes in Cardiac step down unit.

It all depends on your body & how you heal. My son was 4 weeks old on Thursday & I could go back no problem. This is my second child, however, so it has been much easier than the first. Also, consider sleep deprivation. If you have support to help you during the night with feedings, it is doable. If you are BF exclusively, you may be a zombie & that is no good for patient care.

Good luck!!

Kelly

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I'd say wait to cross that bridge when you get there. I am just 4 weeks post partum myself, and can't imagine going back right now. I took 12 weeks off this time, but my past pregnancies I went back at 6 weeks. This is my first time going back as a nurse though. I am a new grad (well, over a year ago, but I consider myself still very new). I worked on a tele floor for a year until I landed my "dream" job in L&D. Of course found out I was pregnant THE NEXT DAY. I was nervous, didnt tell anyone until I landed the job, and got it in writing. The manager was supportive. I then found out they wouldnt allow me back to work until employee health cleared me and that wasnt going to be until I was at LEAST 6 weeks pp for a lady partsl delivery. So I wouldnt have been able to go back before that if I wanted to. I;d talk to your manager, but I'm sure theyll be understanding. If not, oh well. Whats meant to be, will. And you can always get another job. You'll never get back this time with your newborn baby :-). Good luck!

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Thanks for all the feed back! Ill let you know how it goes when the time comes to tell! :)

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

Yes, you should be able to return in 4 weeks if all goes smoothly with the birth and everything.

I'm worried personally, that as soon as you tell your employer all of this, that they are going to

let you go due to your not being able to even complete the training period. But then, over the

years I've become jaded towards employers, managers, etc.. If that does happen, what is the

possibility that you could just wait until after the baby comes to start a new job?

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Yes, you should be able to return in 4 weeks if all goes smoothly with the birth and everything.

I'm worried personally, that as soon as you tell your employer all of this, that they are going to

let you go due to your not being able to even complete the training period. But then, over the

years I've become jaded towards employers, managers, etc.. If that does happen, what is the

possibility that you could just wait until after the baby comes to start a new job?

The week I get done with training is the week I am due. I hope they wont let me go and will see me as an asset despite being gone for 4 weeks. This job will not be available for me EVER again...this position is extremely difficult to get and I am VERY luck to have landed it. Like I said it is a once and a life time opportunity and I didn't wanna pass it up because I am pregnant.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

It is all going to depend on how your delivery is...if it goes textbook, you should be good to go, but if there is anything going on or you have a hard delivery or a c/s, you may not be ready in 4 weeks. For the person who went back to work 2 weeks after her c/s, I am surprised the doc cleared her, I know that none of the OB's I work with would clear a c/s mom to go back to work in 2 weeks, you aren't even supposed to be driving until 4-6 weeks. Have you talked to your OB, because it is a customary 6 week leave and you have to have clearance to return to work in most places. Have you talked to your manager at all?

I think on top of the physical part, the mental part will be very hard. Lack of sleep and the mommy hormones will be tough.

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Thank you for your response. Since I am a new grad I am waiting until I pass my NCLEX to make the next move to talk to her. My job in contingent on me passing so first things first. lol I am worried about how to approach the actual situation...what I should say...etc. I will work here for YEARS so I really hope they see that 4 weeks even if something should happen Im gone longer I will be an asset. This is my dream job!! :heartbeat

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