But I'm Pregnant . . . . .

Specialties Ambulatory

Published

Along the lines of the "But I have little kids . . . . " thread:

One of my co-workers announced her pregnancy this week, stating that she was no longer willing to work weekends or holidays because she's going to be a parent. She also has to have Christmas off because this is going to be her last child-free Christmas. Oh and by the way, she can't take care of anyone with VRE, MRSA, or any other type of isolation. "Yukky wounds" make her nauseous, so she can't take those patients -- in fact, wouldn't it be best to just have her do charge all the time?

We're a large unit and have 1 - 6 nurses pregnant at any given time. Plus there are those who can't travel to interventional radiology, take infected patients, etc. because they're TRYING to get pregnant.

The last nurse to have her baby had to sit in the chair her entire shift "because I'm pregnant," and had orientees to do everything for her. Not the role of I preceptor, I'm thinking!

What's the strangest/most irritating thing you've had a coworker demand because she's pregnant?

Thank you for your kind words and I am new to this site. I will no longer state my reply more than once. I was only trying to ensure that the correct people were responded to with my full story. :rolleyes:

Yeah...I wasn't saying to be a jerk or anything. I just didn't know if you knew that. I think you can even respond to multiple posters like that in one post. I'm not completely sure though...I'll have to play around with it. Anyway welcome to AllNurses :). I hope you like it here.

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puleeze. I (& many others) have worked right up to the delivery date. In fact, when I was pg w/my 1st, I worked fulltime (including some night rotation) & took a full assignment until I delivered & felt great. My manager was kind enough to limit my exposure to isolation cases & total lifts. Another nurse was pg at the same time, and did the same as me. W/baby #2, 4 yrs later, no different, I was still working fulltime, same unit, still felt great. Since switching to surgery, the only exception we make for pregnancy is you can't be in on cases involving bone cement - and they do try to limit the heavier cases. If a person is going to whine from day 1 that they're pregnant as if it's a disease instead of a normal healthy part of life, then they'll be branded that way & get less sympathy, IMO. I'd like to add that I'm speaking of normal pregnancies here, not problematic ones w/complications. I have nothing but admiration for someone like bmcrn. Compared to that, I've had it easy.

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Specializes in Public Health, DEI.

Where I work, the rules are clear. If you need job accommodations, you need a note from the OB. And if you have a note from the OB, then you are excused, and too bad so sad for your co-workers.

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I'd like to add that I'm speaking of normal pregnancies here, not problematic ones w/complications.

I'm glad u said that as when i added my coments on this thread last yr i was pregnant and was ill at first and had to take time off. i couldnt care for my paeds pts like i should. i was then ok for a few weeks went back to work and became ill again and on ABX which made me ill. This was my 4th child and never had problems before with my other 3.One day i didnt feel too bad and went to work to do my 14 hr shift, was doing fine and suddenly i collapsed my BP was in my boots. My GP put me on rest till baby was born. i was on sick leave from end Oct to my mat leave started in Jan. I have a healthy daughter who is almost 11mths old and with my other pregnancies i DID NOT use pregnancy as an excuse not to do things apart from the ones that put me or baby at risk. I just want to say not ALL pregnant women use it as an excuse not to work.

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I'm glad u said that as when i added my coments on this thread last yr i was pregnant and was ill at first and had to take time off. i couldnt care for my paeds pts like i should. i was then ok for a few weeks went back to work and became ill again and on ABX which made me ill. This was my 4th child and never had problems before with my other 3.One day i didnt feel too bad and went to work to do my 14 hr shift, was doing fine and suddenly i collapsed my BP was in my boots. My GP put me on rest till baby was born. i was on sick leave from end Oct to my mat leave started in Jan. I have a healthy daughter who is almost 11mths old and with my other pregnancies i DID NOT use pregnancy as an excuse not to do things apart from the ones that put me or baby at risk. I just want to say not ALL pregnant women use it as an excuse not to work.

Wow! I didn't even notice how old this post was when I put in my 2cents!! I believe the majority of pregnant women do not use pregnancy as an excuse, & I believe in taking care of each other as much as possible w/in reason. Anyway, I hope everything went well for you!!

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Gee, I think I'll get pregnant and use the excuses "no weekends, no holidays.

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Had to jump in on this old one also. I'm a CMA and work in a very busy family practice. We have a gal in our office who spent her entire pregnancy front office (dr's office), couldn't pull charts (unable to stretch that high), unable to carry charts (too heavy), unable to do ANY back office (couldn't be on her feet). She had a miscarriage I'm not sure how many years ago and has lupus so she was basically on light duty if you want to call it that her whole pregnancy. She comes back to work 4 weeks after delivery and a month later...guess what??? She's PREGNANT again! So we're back to the same exact thing as last time.

While I certainly want her to have a healthy baby...the girls a sweetie...I think it's unfair for the rest of us to have to pick up the load if she can't handle the physical aspects of the job. It IS a doctor's office, it's not all THAT physical.

Lorraine

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Hey Everyone!

First let me extend a good job out to all those pregnant nurses who are still bustin' their butts and not using pregnancy as "an excuse" not to work!

And, just to add another side to the story, try being a pregnant RN looking for a job! I lost my job in New Orleans due to the hurricane completely destroying my hospital. After that nightmare, we relocated and shortly afterwards I found out that I was pregnant! I needed time to recover from the whole hurricane ordeal, and then I started putting applications out. Well, the interviews go great but they always manage to ask the questions that make me say, yes, I'm pregnant. And now my my belly is getting bigger by the day so there is no hiding it! I have an interview at a dr's office monday and i hope they are more understanding. I have had no complications (knock on wood), i'm feeling good these days, and I don't plan on taking any kind of huge long maternity leave. I am desparately broke and WANT TO WORK! So, we'll see what happens. Anyway, just thought I would throw that in :)

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.

I worked until the end of my pregnancy. Severe nausea, vomiting, backaches, you name it. I did not ask for help w/ passing meds, treatments, or call bells. Out of curtesy, my coworkers gave me the group closest to the nurses station. I would not lift heavy patients alone, but then no one should. Everyones pregnancy is different. Some can work with no limitations and that is not so for others. If you are too sick to do a nurses work, find something else to do until its time for delivery.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Hi there! Just a few words come to mind reading this old thread:

First: Let's just agree not all pregnancies go the same way---some go without incident. We all have heard the story of the nurse who "checked herself into L/D in active labor, after working her 18 hour shift downstairs"--e.g. "what a woman"! , etc. We have also heard of those stuck on bedrest after the 4th month, sadly.

Next, we can all agree: It's not the same for everyone. And while there ARE women who take advantage of their "delicate conditions", most press on and do the best they can, given this TEMPORARY condition.

Let us also agree, while reasonable accomodation should be made, it should not be at the cost of coworker's wellness and need.

Finally, let's also agree not to turn this into an anti-pregnant-coworker thread......and keep the insensitive, inflammatory, generalizing, or uncaring remarks out of it, if we can, please.

Thanks!

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I know this is an old thread, but I think it fits the problem I am having.

Have coworker that did IVF & ended up pregnant with twins. She's about 5 months along. We both are full time charge nurses on nights, working opposite 12 hour shift with a few part timers that pick up when we are off.

Here's my problem--& maybe I'm just being a jerk (I know you all will give it to me straight, which is what I need). This person apparently went to the DON & said that she is willing to pick up extra shifts, but only if she is charge. We are chronically low staffed so this is an issues that does & will come up often. Without asking me (which is part of what bugs me so much about this situation), he told her that any shift she picks up, she can be charge.

Let me clear...I don't mind working on the floor. I really enjoy my job & it's nice to be able to occasionally take my own team. & I certainly don't want anything to happen to her babies. But this decision is going to effect my check (of which EVERY cent has an allocated place). It doesn't seem right that because of a decision that she made, I'm going to lose money.

When I noticed my schedule had changed the first time, I sent her a note to ask what was going on (again, no one felt it was important to tell me about this) ...& she came UNGLUED. Apparently, it was terrible for me to even inquire why my shift had changed. I dropped it with her immediately, since she came in hot & looking for a fight. I guess what I am looking for is advice about whether or not I should talk to the DON about this or ignore it & pray for her due date & that she doesn't get knocked up again? Any opinions or better ideas are very much appreciated. Thanks for reading.

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Specializes in Cardiac Step-down, NICU.

How are they different? Just curious how things are done in different countries! Currently 13 weeks pregnant :-)

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