Is Nursing Bad (Too Stressful) for Pregnancy?

cherrybreeze, ADN, RN · Apr 13, 2010

thanks to those of you who are analyzing the intent of my post. I really meant the question in a genuine manner. Its quite funny how some people on this site live for posting mean and sarcastic remarks just to make themselves feel good. I feel bad that people have self esteem low enough to get thrills out of insulting others.
For those of you who gave helpful and encouraging advice I appreciate it. I was under a lot of stress with my second child (who is special needs) and I just want to make sure that if I have another baby that I do whatever i can to make it the healthiest pregnancy I can, Including taking care of myself.

I don't think anyone "analyzed" your question beyond what you asked, and I also think it was understood that you were asking seriously. I also don't see how you were "insulted." As opposed to their being people that "live" to make sarcastic remarks to make themselves feel better, perhaps others are too sensitive?

The details you add to this post completely change the original question, btw. YOU know your intent, and knew your intent of your original post, but no one here knows you or anything about your life. What you asked was if working as a nurse is too stressful to do while you're pregnant....and that question was answered. No one can know details that you don't share (such as having a child with special needs), so it's not really fair to then get upset when they can't.....

GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · Apr 13, 2010

I worked to the end of two pregnancies. I am now working part-time through a third. I delivered early the first time, term the second time. It really depends on your co-workers if it is doable or not. I have worked with great people who have not allowed me to lift extremely heavy people on my own, they took the contact precaution patients so I wouldn't have to, etc. If I didn't have nice co-workers, I don't think I would work though pregnancies. Pregnancies are hard on the body, and very stressful if you have other young kids at home. If you can have a job where you don't have to heavy lifting past the second trimester and don't have to take patients with herpes/shingles/odd viral infections, it shouldn't be that bad.

LeLeeFNP · Apr 13, 2010

I don't think anyone "analyzed" your question beyond what you asked, and I also think it was understood that you were asking seriously. I also don't see how you were "insulted." As opposed to their being people that "live" to make sarcastic remarks to make themselves feel better, perhaps others are too sensitive?
The details you add to this post completely change the original question, btw. YOU know your intent, and knew your intent of your original post, but no one here knows you or anything about your life. What you asked was if working as a nurse is too stressful to do while you're pregnant....and that question was answered. No one can know details that you don't share (such as having a child with special needs), so it's not really fair to then get upset when they can't.....

quite frankly the fact that you are the only one who responded to this in this manner implies guilt on your part. I didn't specify who i felt was sarcastic and who i felt gave helpful advice. Its not about being sensitive and i didn't have to give more information in my original post. I simply made a statement about how i felt about certain responses to my question. I just think if someone posts a general question on this site people can be a little more respectful in their replies instead of trying to be mean and sarcastic in their responses. That isn't the feedback i was looking for. I just don't understand the intentions of people sometimes and why they get such joy out of trying to make other people feel bad. I just chalk it up to low self esteem issues. I'm sure you will reply back with some defensive response attacking me again but i really don't care because i won't be responding to the ignorance any longer. so go ahead and get your last word in if you want.

Anyone else who has general helpful advice you are more than welcome to reply and thanks again to all of you that have shared your experiences and given helpful advice.

Conqueror+, BSN, RN · Apr 13, 2010

Stress like pain is whatever the patient SAYS it is. Your body, your baby, your decision. If you even THINK it will be too much for you then don't do it. You have nothing to prove and the only debt you owe is to yourself and that child. Rest and take care of yourself if you can. I don't know when we got to a point that motherhood (including pregnancy) has become some backburner unimportant thing in the way of real jobs and lives. It explains a lot of what is wrong nowadays. And to the people who think that motherhood is NOT a job that requires work they are playing ostrich big time. take care :)

GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · Apr 13, 2010

Stress like pain is whatever the patient SAYS it is. Your body, your baby, your decision. If you even THINK it will be too much for you then don't do it. You have nothing to prove and the only debt you owe is to yourself and that child. Rest and take care of yourself if you can. I don't know when we got to a point that motherhood (including pregnancy) has become some backburner unimportant thing in the way of real jobs and lives. It explains a lot of what is wrong nowadays. And to the people who think that motherhood is NOT a job that requires work they are playing ostrich big time. take care :)

Well said! I like to think of the big picture... When I am 90 years old (if I make it) I want to look back and HOPE that I made the best decisions in life. I hope that I will be able to smile and realize that I made decisions that are good for the people I love most in life, whatever they may be.

There is no need to put yourself and your unborn child at risk just to be able to say you worked your pregnancy to the end, delivered at work in the bathroom (b/c you didn't want to stress your co-workers by leaving early) to take a 4 day maternity leave just to not mess with the schedule, etc. unless you have a true financial need to survive by doing these things.

Make the decision on what YOU think is best for you, your partner, and your potential baby. :)

**NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN** · Apr 13, 2010

I am almost 5 months pregnant and work in ICU. I've had a little bit more complications than some. I have a heart defect (VSD, unrepaired) and had pretty severe morning sickness. It hasn't been a cakewalk, but I have stuck it out at my job.

My job has been incredibly understanding as well, they will not give our pregnant nurses patient's on known isolation precautions. That has made it a lot less stressful. They also typically try to give us more stable patients, but that is up in the air as no one can predict the future.

Everyone is different and has different stress in their life. I am also working on completing my BSN on top of the pregnancy. But I do not have a special needs child to care for! Typically people know what they can handle, everyone handles stress levels differently. Everyone has different needs and shouldn't judge themselves for what they can or cannot do based on how well someone else did.

I have coworkers who worked up until the day they went into labor. I have no intention of working past 8 months. It's going to be an extra workload on my heart as it is, and my heart can't be compared with a coworker who has no previous health history. Some people will attempt to give you negativity when they do not know you or what you are or are not capable of, don't let that get to you, as you will know better than they what is best for you.

Good luck to you and congratulations!