Pregnant and miserable working

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi,

I am 30 weeks pregnant and was planning on leaving my job 4 weeks prior to my due date. I am a registered nurse and work on a very busy floor at the hospital (telemetry). As of this last week I feel like my body has hit a wall. I have never physically pushed my body this hard in my life. I work 3 12 hour shifts and only get a 15 minute break and 30 minute lunch break. I am literally running around the floor like a maniac the whole day. My belly gets sore, my legs get weak, my back hurts and at the end of the day I am so physically exhausted I usually cry on my way home from work. I am miserable.

My doctor has told me that she can only send me home 36 days before my due date otherwise the state will call her and ask why I am out on disability. She said because I am not having complications she will not sign for me to go on disability. I spoke with my union representative and read over the legalities and it states that I can go if I am unable to perform one or more necessary functions of my job. DOES ANYONE KNOW THE DETAILS OF TAKING MATERNITY DISABILITY? I called in sick for tomorrow and have an appointment with my doctor to discuss my situation. I don't know if she'll just tell me to try to hang in there or if she can actually put me on disability. Any advice is appreciated! Anyone else go through this? I started work as a new grad in August so I've only been working on my own for 1 month. I do not qualify for the family leave act of 12 weeks leave until I've been employed for 1 year so my employer said after the 6-8weeks of maternity leave that kicks in after I go on disability I can extend my leave for a month unpaid. I've been thinking of asking my manager about taking that personal leave before instead of after if I have to....I just wanted time with baby.

I agree that your doctor is a jerk.

As others have said, try working shorter shifts, try staying on the 12's but only do 1 at a time, try what the HR person recommended above.

I guess if you get hurt at work, your doctor will then see the error of her ways?

BTW, you are supposed to get rest breaks after q 4 hours of work, I believe. This depends on your state. Find out what the law says. Even if it doesn't say that, though, you need more breaks. This is a special time for you and you need a small concession to get through it. It is really cruel to work pregnant women like that. Vicious and evil. But you need to speak up. They're not mindreaders and don't know you're suffering if you don't speak up.

Or just take the darned breaks. Do what you need to do. Use good judgment and common sense.

Oh, I see my advice came late. Hey, good luck.

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Just an update:

I saw my doctor today and discussed my situation with her. She was hesitant at first but after hearing me out decided that she could send me on disability after next week! I am very fortunate because disability pays for 2/3 of my pay and my employer matches the other 1/3 until I am 6 weeks postpartum (regular delivery) or 8 weeks postpartum (c-section). I was nervous to speak with my manager about leaving so soon, but was also relieved when she was very kind about it and told me not to apologize and just to let her know when I want to be put back on the schedule. Just one more week of work and I'll be able to take better care of myself and baby!!!! =)

Why is she making you wait another week?

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melisgood, I'm glad it worked after all. Hooray to future mommy! :)

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I told my doc I can work another week MAX. That puts me at 32 weeks and for some reason she liked that number. I also feel better at least giving my manager 1 week notice! =)

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just curious....anyone else leave work this early?

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

What did you say to your doctor to convince him/her to place you on disability? I'm 35 weeks pregnant and don't think I can go on anymore. I work in a busy pediatric oncology floor and have anemia/ gestational diabetes.

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Your doctor is not an "ass". Your doctor is simply trying to operate within the confines of the law and not be accused of fraud. Unless you have a documented health condition that necessitates bed rest, they generally can't justify signing off on disability for what amounts to normal pregnancy discomfort. Pregnancy is not a medical condition.

I would also not recommend "doctor shopping" at 30 weeks, as someone else suggested, unless there were some pretty egregious extenuating circumstances.

Glad to hear you're able to start your leave early! Good luck!

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
What did you say to your doctor to convince him/her to place you on disability? I'm 35 weeks pregnant and don't think I can go on anymore. I work in a busy pediatric oncology floor and have anemia/ gestational diabetes.

Not sure the OP is around to reply as this is a 4 year old thread.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
What did you say to your doctor to convince him/her to place you on disability? I'm 35 weeks pregnant and don't think I can go on anymore. I work in a busy pediatric oncology floor and have anemia/ gestational diabetes.
I found my OB very understanding. Just ask them.
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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
Not sure the OP is around to reply as this is a 4 year old thread.

That's awesome! I imagine the OP is no longer on maternity leave, huh?

Why oh why do people do that?

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
That's awesome! I imagine the OP is no longer on maternity leave, huh?

Why oh why do people do that?

I really hope the OP is not still pregnant with what should now be an almost 4 year old! Gotta love zombie threads!

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Specializes in MDS/ UR.
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