C.N.A extreme lower back pain 5 months pregnant.

Staragate, ADN, ASN, RN · Mar 6, 2012

You are pregnant and in pain? Why aren't you at the doctor??? Pain is abnormal and needs to be addressed now! If you were 8 months along, I would say it's strain from the extra weight, but at 5 months.... it should not hurt.

If your doctor says that your pregnancy is fine, then you need to make some hard decisions. You and that baby are number 1! If you do heavy lifting, then it buts a strain on the baby and could cause early labor. You need to get into light duty and you can't be fired for it, that would be discrimination.

Take care of that baby and see the doctor and get him to write an order for light duty.

asun21ta · Mar 7, 2012

You need to see your doctor ASAP! Any pain during pregnancy needs to be viewed as suspicious and needs to be assessed. First thing is first, you and your unborn baby's well being, please call your doctor.

Also, as the last person mentioned, it is illegal to be fired for being pregnant. You need to discuss the possibility of going on light duty with your boss. The physical demands of the job can be dangerous. The most dangerous being early labor from too much physical stress. Please be cautious.

Now that I am done lecturing you, lol, Yes, I worked as a CNA up until I was about 6 months pregnant. I had excrutiating lower abdominal pain, especially after dealing with obese patients. I would see my doctor, who would rule it out as abdominal stress from baby and work. She asked me not to lift heavy patients. That was easier said than done becase that facility worked a skeleton crew on a daily basis. Help was almost non existant. Many of the patients needed total care and most had demanding families. It was hard. My fiance and I decided it was best I take it easy and stop working on the floor. I spent the rest of my pregnancy doing home health care. What a difference. No more unexplained aches and shooting pains. For me, the stress of the floor was not worth me compromising my health and my first baby.

Don't let my situation scare you. I felt like a weakling because I had to give up the floor when many women did it until the last month. Many of the CNA's I worked with worked up until the day they were due. Every woman is different. It depends on the individual and what type of residents you have.

Congrats on the baby and best wishes!!!! :yeah:

brandy1017, ASN, RN · Apr 13, 2012

I think your growing baby belly is putting pressure on your lower back and add that to the CNA job itself. I would recommend seeing your doctor and considering taking FMLA for the back pain if you can afford to. But definitely see your doctor!

breezycna · Apr 13, 2012

I agree with the others. I have not been pregnant ever, but if you're in pain, you should be seeing the doctor right away! When I did my clinicals, there was a CNA who was at least 7 months along and was found by one of the other students bent over in pain in a resident's room.

Keep us updated!

Editorial Team / Admin · Apr 13, 2012

this is a reminder to adhere to the terms of service with responses.

no medical advice is to be given.

also, please post to the original topic of the thread, which was two questions:

did any of you work as a cna while pregnant?

how long did you work as a cna during your pregnancy??

thank you.

---- dianah