Pre employment physical while pregnant?

[xaymi]

Hi, I was just recently offer a position as a CNA and I already took a drug test and they are currently doing the background check.. But tomorrow I have a pre-employment physical. My problem is that I didnt told them I was pregnant. I am 31 weeks pregnant but my belly is not that big... Since it has been snowing outside I wear a thick coat to all my interviews and I wore mostly black clothing and my belly wasn't noticeable and I guess they never notice I am pregnant because they never asked me. I know I can do the job and I am in great shape. Are they going to be able to tell that I am pregnant when I go to my physical tomorrow... are they going to check my abdomen? also I have two appts. One is with the clinic and then they have me schedule with physical therapy for another. What will I have to do with the physical therapist? Can they disqualify me from getting the job if the find out that I am pregnant? I didnt tell them I was because they never asked me. I really need this job. In my husband's job they are laying people off and we already have 1 child and another one on the way and still have things to buy for the baby on the way that is due in 1 month or 1 1/2 months from now. And I can't start working after the baby is born, it has to be now because it was passed almost 1 year from the time I receive my licensed and I cant afford to lose the license.

Thanks for any help

[Nurse80sbaby]

I really feel bad for you. I am going through something similar myself. I did tell my boss but Im not as far along as you are. I was told that I would most likely be fired and hopefully rehired after I have the baby. If I am not rehired I hope to apply for unemployment because I will have been there for 3 months. I wouldnt let what other people say get to you. Its different when the shoe is on YOUR foot. I will do whatever I have to do to provide for my child. Just try your best to pass the physical and get started working. Once you are on the job there is nothing they can do to you. If you get on the actual unit and see that the work is too heavy for you, then you may want to consider telling your boss and being honest as to why you never said anything. If you stay and do a good job, maybe they will hold your job or allow you to go PRN before your maternity leave. Best of luck to you. I know its not easy.

[CeilingCat, ASN, RN]

You're setting yourself up to be seen as sneaky or dishonest when, once hired, they discover your big secret. If you lie to them in the process of the health screening, I'd wonder if this might give them a reason to want to get rid of you...?

Maybe I don't think this is fair to the employer and the co-workers. You may still be in "training" status when you have to take your leave. Don't count on giving birth being an easy thing. There are plenty of difficult births, c-sections, and other related issues that'll keep a woman out of work. I know some of my classmates who failed out of the nursing program because they insisted on doing both at the same time, and if anything school is nowhere near as physically demanding.