Getting pregnant on Nights

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Completing the O.R. course.

Hello, I am a new RN working in a Long Term Care Facility full-time nights, but I am not new to allnurses. My husband and I are now trying to conceive as I am not getting any younger:wink2: Anyway my question is, is there anyone out there that got pregnant while working straight nights? And if you did how did you find a way to eat properly on nights? Right now I am finding it hard to eat three meals a day. When I first started nights I would have my lunch around 1:30-2am but now every time I eat while working I get such heartburn that it hurts. So right now I am just eating 2 meals a day. Also I am a little concerned that working nights is messing up with my cycles and when I am ovulating. I am tempted to buy a clear plan fertility monitor just to see. Has anyone used this monitor as well and did it work for you?.

I seem to have more questions than I do answers. Any response would be a great big help.

Thank you

Giggles

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

"Getting Pregnant on Nights?"

Well you won't get pregnant on nights, sex at work is looked at poorly! Sorry just kidding but just couldn't resist.

Seriously, if you ovulate regularly you should have no problem conceiving. I conceived both of my children during the day while working nights. Working nights pregnant may be difficult for you if you're not a good day sleeper. It was very difficult for me and had to change jobs for a year. Good Luck!

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I hope someone can answer this (Dutchgirl's answer was good, but I would be interested in research) because I think it's a good question and I wouldn't be surprised if working nights does throw a kink in the fertility cycle. I did read a study that that correlated working night shifts with a 50% increase in preterm labor. Something to research. I have a personal history of PTL, so I have already decided that if/when I get pregnant I will explain to my manager why I will no longer work night shift. Good luck!!!

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I work postpartum/L&D and we always have tons of pregnant nurses. I have noticed that a lot of them tend to go out early on medical leave, esp the ones who work nights.

I can't help as I get pregnant far too easily and since I am done having babies I won't be trying to conceive working nights.

But as far as eating, I had a really hard time eating in the middle of the night, I was pretty nauseous. But after a month or two I got used to it and can eat whatever I like whatever time of the day/night it is. Generally the first day I go back to work I eat a normal breakfast/lunch at normal time and either have a big dinner or late night snack at 1am OR a light snack at dinnertime and a big dinner at 1am. I don't usually eat breakfast unless I"m really starved, if so it's just a piece of toast or fruit. I generally sleep through lunch and have a big meal when I get up between 3:30-5:30. Then I eat a big meal at 1am.

Melissa

I hope someone can answer this (Dutchgirl's answer was good, but I would be interested in research) because I think it's a good question and I wouldn't be surprised if working nights does throw a kink in the fertility cycle. I did read a study that that correlated working night shifts with a 50% increase in preterm labor. Something to research. I have a personal history of PTL, so I have already decided that if/when I get pregnant I will explain to my manager why I will no longer work night shift. Good luck!!!
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Specializes in CCU (Coronary Care); Clinical Research.

I just recently got pregnant while working nights...the first month we tried no less...I was flipping back and forth though (two nights on, two off, four on, six off).

If I were you, I would start a calander and track your periods and find out when you ovulate. Start having sex every other day a few days before, during, and a few days after your most fertile period...This can be a challenge- some days/nights it may not be the greatest sex you've had due to feeling tired but it is worth it if it works. Start taking prenatal vitamins now- preferably a few months before you start trying and try to make sure that you are getting enough sleep.

As for eating, I would usually eat "breakfast" at about 1800 before I went to work. At around 2000-2100, I would have a snack- usually fruit, popcorn, or yogurt (tried to make it healthy) and I would have another small snack around 2300 (If I had time that is!). I would eat "lunch" around 0100- It usually wasn't a big one but enough just to keep me going- again, I tried to eat healthy but most of the cafeteria food is fried at that time of night so I often had to bring my own. I had another snack around 0500 in the morning and ate some ceral or something when I got home before I went to bed. I had to eat lots of small snacks or my blood sugar would drop and I would feel horrible! Once I worked nights for about 3 months, I started feeling better and was able to eat a bit better. If you feel like you are feeling full, try to keep the meals small and light, but with lots of nutrients so you feel better and have more energy.

As a side note, I have also read the study that shows that women that work straight nights have a higher probability of having PTL.

The main thing is to keep trying and try to stay as healthy as possible. Have sex on a regular basis during your fertile periods (again, my doc suggested every other day)- which I think can be hard for night shift people especially if your partner works the opposite shift (like mine does!)...

I did end up going to days when I was about 6 months pregnant...the first trimester was not that fun on nights for me...I switched because our hospital offers childcare during the day only and I felt that it would be better for me and the baby- only 13 more weeks left!

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Specializes in Infection Preventionist/ Occ Health.

Here is the link:

http://www.medpagetoday.com/OBGYN/Pregnancy/tb/2296

"Pregnant women who work the graveyard shift face a significantly higher risk of preterm delivery, yet long hours, standing all day, and heavy lifting were not risk factors, investigators here reported.

Working between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. during the first trimester raised the risk by at least 50% (relative risk 1.5, 95% confidence interval 1.0-2.0), according to Lisa A. Pompeii, Ph.D., of the University of Texas School of Public Health here."

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Specializes in Cath Lab, OR, CPHN/SN, ER.

I'm almost 38 weeks pregnant- and I work 3pm-3am my entire pregnancy. I'm begging for labor now- maybe I need to start working until 7am? :idea:

I agree. Start charting your cycles (check out Taking Charge of Your Fertility-book). Good luck!

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Specializes in NICU.

I've heard all about these studies. They remind me of the studies that say people who work nights die younger and have higher rates of cancer and heart disease.

I think this might apply a lot more to people who don't do well working nights. The people who don't sleep well during the day, who are morning people by nature, or who try to stay up all day with their families when they should be sleeping. If you sleep well, eat well, exercise, and gererally take care of yourself, I don't see why working nights should affect your health all that much. Sleeping, I think, is the key. If you don't (or won't) sleep well between night shifts, you're asking for trouble.

Eating well at night is as easy as packing healthy snacks. Eat small, healthy meals every couple of hours. A lot of people swear by apples. Cereal is also a really good snack for nights - very comforting, and VERY healthy especially if you're trying to concieve. You got your calcium, you got your folic acid, you got your fiber, etc. Just don't give in to the junk food that everyone brings to share and DON'T go to the cafeteria.

I never really get how people who work nights can say they can't eat at night. Like it's soooo bad for you to eat after midnight, or that they get so sick if they do. I don't get it. If you're up, working, you NEED food to fuel your body and mind. So it's better to not eat on night shift, and pig out at home during the day when you should be sleeping? I'm so opposite. I eat "breakfast" when I get up at 5pm, "lunch" at about 10pm, "dinner" at 3am, and a "midnight snack" when I get home at 8am. There it is - 3 meals a day, plus a snack. Pretty normal, just shifted around.

Good luck TTC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Specializes in Telemetry/Med Surg.
"Getting Pregnant on Nights?"

Well you won't get pregnant on nights, sex at work is looked at poorly! Sorry just kidding but just couldn't resist.

I knew it, I knew it! I was going to say something to this effect myself but didn't have time. Great minds think alike?!!? ;)

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Specializes in LDRP.

a nurse who does straight nights on my floor is pregnant. It happens.

Just take care of yourself!

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Specializes in NICU.
a nurse who does straight nights on my floor is pregnant. It happens.

Just take care of yourself!

I actually wanted to mention that there are quite a few nurses who are or have been pregnant on our unit over the past few years. Most of them work straight nights. Some work days/PMs. The ones who have had the most trouble with fertility? DAY SHIFT. It might just be a coincidence. But to me, days is more stressful than nights, also less busy. Getting and staying pregnant might even be easier on nights!

They say the #1 damper on fertility? STRESS.

So relax, have some sex, and let nature take its course. :)

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Completing the O.R. course.

Thank you for all the replies. This gives me hope and food for thought. I was told by a nurse I work with (whom I do not hold highly in my books) that I would not get pregnant while working nights. I actually like working nights and would prefer to stay there if I can.

I guess my husband and will have to keep trying and have fun.

Giggles

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