Need ADVICE is 4 weeks postpartum too soon to go back to work?!

allnurses Guide · Jan 1, 2012

This is not an easy "yes" or "No" answer. There are multiple factors to consider, including whether you have a surgical birth or a lady partsl one, how complicated your birth was, how complicated your recovery is after giving birth, your emotional state etc. All of these things will determine when it will be right for you to return to work.

You really should discuss this with your doctor, your manager and your spouse. There isn't much you can get here that would be pertinent; a great deal is going to depend on your own personal labor and delivery experience and then how you adjust and heal after giving birth.

Congratulations on your new baby and good luck.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Jan 1, 2012

physically, yes. how well do you do with sleep deprivation? find your brain turning to banana pudding? maybe hard when starting a new job.

emotionally, maybe not so much. how many days a week? when i had my kids, at least where i worked they were good about letting me work 6 hour shifts, supporting breastfeeding, and letting me put my milk in the floor freezer. is part-time a possibility?

Editorial Team / Admin · Jan 1, 2012

Good advice above, but only your OB/midwife can properly advise you about this. :)

leslie :-D · Jan 1, 2012

Good advice above, but only your OB/midwife can properly advise you about this. :)

was this supposed to be a closing statement?:)

leslie

Editorial Team / Admin · Jan 1, 2012

No, I would have closed it. :)

ladybugme! · Jan 2, 2012

Thanks for all the feed back so far!

Yes, it does depend on the delivery and I hope and pray everything will go "normally". If not that will change things up to say the least! :) I just wanna make sure that I have some sort of a plan when I present to my manager that I am pregnant and that I will have to take time off during training. I was thinking I would plan on coming back after 4 weeks and doing part time (2- 12hrs shifts because full time is 3-12 hr shifts) and at 6 or 7 weeks coming back full time. I know it is so hard to plan these sort of things because life is so unpredictable but I want to be seen as a professional who is very serious about doing a great job as a new nurse. I would not have taken this job unless it was my dream job, the field I wanna specialize in so I couldn't pass this opportunity up.

Does anyone have any idea how I should initially present this to my manager...and do you think they will fire me?

Trauma Columnist · Jan 2, 2012

I think you sound like you are approaching this well. Your manager is a nurse, so will have some understanding that even the best made plans sometimes change.

Doubt they fire you.

Good luck with your new little one and your new job.

MagsMom · Jan 2, 2012

In the hospital where I work you are required to commit to all of the training period. If you are unable to complete it then your job is not available. It is in the agreement that is signed when hired. I would look over the terms of your employment before you talk to your manager so you are aware of what options you have.

johnnyarei · Jan 2, 2012

It's really up to you. You know your body. I would HIGHLY recommend you discussing things with your OB/GYN or midwife. Personally, I went back to work 2 weeks after having twins via c-section. I didn't want to, but financially I felt like I had no choice. My twins came 8 weeks early and I had not met my year long mark to qualify for FMLA or STD. It was hard and some days I regretted my decision. But, I did what was best for me.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Jan 2, 2012

Thanks for all the feed back so far!
Yes, it does depend on the delivery and I hope and pray everything will go "normally". If not that will change things up to say the least! :) I just wanna make sure that I have some sort of a plan when I present to my manager that I am pregnant and that I will have to take time off during training. I was thinking I would plan on coming back after 4 weeks and doing part time (2- 12hrs shifts because full time is 3-12 hr shifts) and at 6 or 7 weeks coming back full time. I know it is so hard to plan these sort of things because life is so unpredictable but I want to be seen as a professional who is very serious about doing a great job as a new nurse. I would not have taken this job unless it was my dream job, the field I wanna specialize in so I couldn't pass this opportunity up.
Does anyone have any idea how I should initially present this to my manager...and do you think they will fire me?

It is illegal for them to fire you because you are pregnant but, depending on the state and the facility, they may not need a reason. Most places have some kind of "probationary period" where employment can be terminated without reason. Whether or not they would do it, only people who've worked for this employer could really tell you.

We recently had a CNA who showed up 7 months pregnant on her first day. People were mad because they felt that a. she had intentionally misled them during the interview and b. as soon as her orientation was done, she'd be gone meaning we'd be short-staffed for the duration of her leave. Both of those things were true, but she has turned out to be one of our best CNAs.

ladybugme! · Jan 2, 2012

It's really up to you. You know your body. I would HIGHLY recommend you discussing things with your OB/GYN or midwife. Personally, I went back to work 2 weeks after having twins via c-section. I didn't want to, but financially I felt like I had no choice. My twins came 8 weeks early and I had not met my year long mark to qualify for FMLA or STD. It was hard and some days I regretted my decision. But, I did what was best for me.

Wow, that must have been so hard for you but good job doing what was right for your family. That is how I am looking at this situation too I will do what I gotta do.