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I see a lot of preganat nurses work hard on my unit... I know they see there doctor regularly and go on maternity leave as soon as the job gets too hard for them.... I think it depends on what your body is telling you. Everyone else here is right about asking you OB. BEST of LUCK to you..!! =)
I worked in the ICU float pool while I was pregnant with my first. I signed up for FMLA pretty much as soon as I found out. That was I could call in sick if I needed to and the facility couldn't hold it against me. That being said, I did not use it all that much. I did ok for the first 33 weeks or so and then I started getting a lot more tired so I cut back to 8 hr shifts for the rest of my time. A couple things that I did that helped were drinking vast quantities of water each day (3-5 liters), I brought along a small portable snack (cheese cubes, peanut butter, etc) to eat a couple hours after my shift started and a few hours after lunch. I found keeping my blood glucose stable made my night easier. And I took breaks. I don't know what state you are in but you should be allowed some breaks. I had a couple nights where the unit I was on used and abused me for the night (i.e. 700 lb
woman with a K of 7 and they gave her KayExalate at 1815. No help available per charge nurse). The nights I had like that I would usually call in the next night so I could keep my feet up.
My second pregnancy I had breast cancer and went through six rounds of chemo before delivery so it was obviously a little different. I still worked some shifts in the units.
Both my boys are healthy, mostly happy and the light of my life!
I worked waiting table while I was pregnant with twins until the doctor told me I had to stop (pre-eclampsia). They both turned out perfect. Your body will tell you when too much is too much. Do you have short term disability insurance? That would cover a doctor ordered medical leave before your baby is born
bdbrdb
81 Posts
Hi guys,
I found out I'm 8 weeks pregnant, it's my first baby and I'm excited. Hubby and I have been trying for a long time and I'm afraid something will go wrong. I work 12 hour shifts and at times I don't get a chance to sit down, I'm on my feet all day, pushing heavy med carts and I'm not a very big person. I'm only 90 lbs. My question is could all this stress be harmful to my baby? I try to stop and get a drink of water, even if the Adm doesn't want you with any drinks except in the break room, but I don't get any time to take a break. I don't always have time to take a full lunch. I don't know I guess I just need reassurance that things will be okay. How did any of you nurses who worked through your pregnancy handle all of this?
~B