Bedside nurses and pregnancy

Nurses General Nursing

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I am not asking for medical advice, just looking to hear your personal experience with floor nursing and pregnancy! How long did you work while pregnant? It is no secret that our job is a lot more physical than most, so I was just wondering how others coped with the long shifts and physical job. I am trying to work as long as I can so I have more time after the baby arrives! I am thinking the hard work is good for me, but I am getting sore and tired which is very normal. How many weeks did you last? My doctor did say floor nurses are more likely to have their baby a little early. All the walking and gravity at work!

Specializes in LTC, med/surg, hospice.

I had my baby at 36 weeks and worked bedside on a medical floor for the durations. Night shift. It really sucked with the walking, bending and moving heavy patients. I had lots of back pain.

I had intended to work until 38 weeks.

My first child I had while in nursing school. She was full term.

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Welp, I finally made the decision to start my Maternity leave at 38 weeks. Im 37 weeks now. Which means I will be stopping work a week earlier than I planned. I had a Post partum hemorrage yesterday and I wasnt able to perform how I normally would. I refuse to put my patients and myself at risk. My body is finally telling me to stop and Im going to listen. I plan on using the next two weeks to relax, enjoy my husband , and focus on school. I even look forward to being bored.

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Coming from an "mature nurse" perspective. I worked with all three of my pregnancies, 12 hour night shifts. I was lucky in that with my first one I was scheduled to work but went into labor instead, my second was a scheduled C-section, so I could ask off the night before, and my third came a little early. I had cut down my hours with the last one, but worked in a great ICU where everyone helped everyone. My co-workers kept me from lifting or doing anything that was considered extra strenuous. I did deliver early with the third one. I don't believe in torturing yourself to save up time. You have to take care of yourself before the baby as well as after. Do the best you can and then throw in the towel when it is time. Your body will let you know!!!

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Specializes in ICU, psych, corrections.

I delivered 10/21 and worked until 10/7. We also closed on our house and moved in on 10/7....lol. I was working 12 hour nights in an ICU and it had gotten to the point where I had trouble reaching my patients to do things like oral care (because my pregnancy belly was so darn huge and I'm 5'1"). I was taken off work at the request of my OB/GYN because I had already had two episodes of premature contractions while at work - thankfully, the L&D floor was upstairs from my unit! I did take 30 min naps on my "lunch" break in our little break room in the later stages of my pregnancy because I was so tired. But other than that, I felt fine. We had even gone camping when I was almost 8 months pregnant. I have a pregnant nurse right now (I am a supervisor) that seems to think she will be working right up until 2 days before her due date. It will be interesting to see how it goes as she has already been placed on lifting and exercise restrictions due to some early bleeding. Thankfully, most of our job is fairly easy even though it is a prison infirmary. There is not a lot of lifting and turning with a lot of time to sit so she may be able to work right up until she delivers!

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Specializes in ICU, psych, corrections.

Oh, and I didn't mention....the little bugger was 9 days early! Actual due date wasn't until 10/30 but he decided he needed to be born on my mother's birthday. :-)

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

I worked up to a week before each of them, 2 were a week late, one on her due date. With my second, I spent a night in false labor, went back to work a few days later but my coworkers were all paranoid; wouldn't let me answer my own lights, jumped up and did stuff for me (fortunately was a slow night). So, I told the sup I wouldn't be back that night, she and my friends almost cheered, lol.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Had one coworker come in the day her child was born, left 30 minutes into the shift to go to L&D, delivered an hour and a half later. Have had others actually work while in early labor, finish their shift, and head for L&D. All of those who I've worked with who experienced pregnancies have worked right up until day of delivery.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, Psych.

Hey, I know this is an old post, but the hubby and I are actively family planning!! So thank you for all the information about how long you worked before going into labor! I just started a new job in a behavioral health hospital, hopefully I won't encounter too much heavy lifting!!

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i work in a mixed ICU, i'm 28wks with twins and have NO intention of staying at work up until the end. i'm already pretty dang miserable and not able to do my job as well because of physical issues. my co-workers are supportive and helpful, but we are severely short staffed and regularly tripled with sick ICU patients. there's very little help turning and cleaning patients. I am going to try for another month of work and will NOT feel badly if i cannot make it.

i have another child (a singleton) and this pregnancy is SO MUCH HARDER.

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Specializes in ICU.

I'm still on maternity leave from having mine, six weeks ago. I went to 38 weeks and he was born at 38 weeks 4 days. The pelvic pain was so bad I couldn't even walk. Luckily my manager was nice enough to take me off the schedule!

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Specializes in nurseline,med surg, PD.

I was pg with twins. I was working night shift on a med surg unit. I worked Friday night, had the twins Saturday night. They were 37 weeks and perfectly healthy.

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Specializes in nurseline,med surg, PD.

Oops didn't realize this was an old post.

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