Pregnant and miserable working

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Hi,

I am 30 weeks pregnant and was planning on leaving my job 4 weeks prior to my due date. I am a registered nurse and work on a very busy floor at the hospital (telemetry). As of this last week I feel like my body has hit a wall. I have never physically pushed my body this hard in my life. I work 3 12 hour shifts and only get a 15 minute break and 30 minute lunch break. I am literally running around the floor like a maniac the whole day. My belly gets sore, my legs get weak, my back hurts and at the end of the day I am so physically exhausted I usually cry on my way home from work. I am miserable.

My doctor has told me that she can only send me home 36 days before my due date otherwise the state will call her and ask why I am out on disability. She said because I am not having complications she will not sign for me to go on disability. I spoke with my union representative and read over the legalities and it states that I can go if I am unable to perform one or more necessary functions of my job. DOES ANYONE KNOW THE DETAILS OF TAKING MATERNITY DISABILITY? I called in sick for tomorrow and have an appointment with my doctor to discuss my situation. I don't know if she'll just tell me to try to hang in there or if she can actually put me on disability. Any advice is appreciated! Anyone else go through this? I started work as a new grad in August so I've only been working on my own for 1 month. I do not qualify for the family leave act of 12 weeks leave until I've been employed for 1 year so my employer said after the 6-8weeks of maternity leave that kicks in after I go on disability I can extend my leave for a month unpaid. I've been thinking of asking my manager about taking that personal leave before instead of after if I have to....I just wanted time with baby.

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Specializes in ICU stepdown/ICU.

Sorry you are going through this. I was in a similar situation about a year ago. I was so unhappy and tired! It was so busy all the time, I remember praying before each shift that I would get an easy assignment. I can't imagine doing that as a relatively new RN. I don't think you can get disability unless there is something wrong. BUT What I did is requested to have my hours cut when I was about 30 wks pregnant. I worked about 30 hours instead of 40hrs/wk. It made a big difference. I have to say I was really relieved once I went on maternity leave though, which was right before my due date. i hope you have an understanding boss, just talk with him/her and explain what you are going through. Sounds like they are being flexible about your maternity leave even though you don't qualify for FMLA. Best of luck!

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Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.

Your doctor is an ass.

My doctor would BEG me to stay home when I was preggers with both of my kids, and even called my unit manager to make sure I was safe.

You need to take it easy and emphasize that to your doctor. Sheesh.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Another thought would be to ask if you could temporarily go to eight hour shifts. The trade off would be minimal (4 less hours a week), but could be very beneficial if you WANT to continue for a bit longer.

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Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.

I also went through hell when I was pregnant b/c I was in horrible pain from endometriosis.....In a lot of cases it gets better during pregnancy.....not mine apparently. I kept telling him my right foot was numb and was having pain in my right hip and right lower abd quadrant......no one would listen ..I think they are so careful b/c so many women complain. So...what I did was go to a shrink and explained my situation and hx...NO Problem He put me out on stress disability..and it was a good thing b/c my daughter came 3 weeks early and had I listened to them I would not have had any time off and may have delivered sooner...I chose instead to listen to my body and found a way.....Guess what????? I had a huge ovarian mass that could not be detected during the pregnancy...after that 3 hr surgery the MD ( a different MD I lost trust in the one that would not listen) told my family " I honestly do not know how she made it through that pregnancy she must have been in severe pain" . I also sent another co-worker to this same MD....he did the same thing for her..she too could not carry on...I say listen to yourself and your body. A lot of women can work right up to the end..some can not

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Specializes in Holistic and Aesthetic Medicine.

it sounds like you are in a lot of pain and exhausted. i wonder if you are giving yourself all the support that you would recommend to a patient that you have who is hurting and tired.

here are some ideas that i've suggested to other pregnant women at times. obviously, these aren't specific recommendations for you as that wouldnt' be allowed on this site and i don't know the specifics of your case.

get a massage from a maya abdominal massage ( www.arvigomassage.com) , nurturing the mother ( http://www.nurturingthemother.com/therapists.php ), peri/prenatal massage therapist ( http://www.bodytherapyassociates.com/resources/therapists.php ), or other therapist who has dedicated themselves to helping women in your situation. a pt, chiropractor, or acupuncturist may also be of help.

use a prenatal cradle belly support. i know some women who have said that they make a huge difference. http://www.flahme.com/flahme.storefront/4b57cc6e0257ab6b2717d8b1903f06e0/catalog/1608

my sister hired a teenage girl from church to come clean her house once a week in the last trimester. if pregnant women could really rest when they are home, they may have more energy and less pain.

support hose (even knee highs), good insoles (i like the ones made of silicone), and shoes that actually fit one's feet at pregnancy size could decrease pain.

good luck to you. i hope that you are able to find a way to get out of pain and enjoy the last weeks of your pregnancy.

seth

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Could it be a good idea to book an appointment to a different doctor and see whether he/she can help?

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Thank you all for your support and advice. I have been wearing good shoes that fit and knee high support stockings (I can't stand the full ones). The belly/back support band is my next item to try. I have a house cleaner who comes every other week and a very supportive husband, which I am very grateful for. I don't know anybody who does 8 hour shifts on my floor....I'm 99% sure you either work 12 hours or you don't. I currently work 3 12 hours a week. I will consider getting a second doctor's opinion if my doctor won't listen to me tomorrow when I go speak with her. I have not brought any of this to my managers attention as I wanted to do this in the most professional manner possible. I do not want to sound like a complainer. Luckily I have a few days off to figure this out!

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I work in HR so I know some of the ins and outs. Talk to your manager and explain the situation. If the manager seems unhelpful, present your case to HR. I always suggest when you present a problem to a superior, try to bring some solutions as well. Can you switch to an easier department for the remainder of your pregnancy? Could you do some more administrative tasks? Also check the EEOC website. It talks about discrimination and other situations. Most employers are willing to help but it can be give or take. Hang in there!

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Specializes in Critical care.

I am sorry to hear you are so miserable. I was pretty uncomforable with my first pregnancy after about 35 weeks. I'm 14 weeks pregnant again and this time have a job that is a little less physically demanding.

Are you working all your shifts in a row? Try just working one day on, then one or two off, etc. It's harder to get a longer stretch of days off but may be worth it to not feel so worn out from working many days in a row. Could you drop down to part time, just 2 12's a week to keep your job and benefits?

While you are working, try to delegate as much as you can to ancillary personnel (within their job descriptions, of course). There is no sense in you trying to fetch a pillow or deliver ice water down a long hallway when an ancillary person can do that. Try to cluster your nursing tasks so you're not running around in and out of rooms all day. Of course drink plenty of water and make sure you are eating quality food when you get a chance, not junk food which will make you feel worse. Someone suggested massage, definitely do that to help you unwind!

Try to hang in there as long as you can! Once your baby comes, you will really want the extra time with him/her, even if it's a few weeks. I went out two weeks early (no real reason on my part, just worn out, but probably could've kept going) and wish I had that extra PTO to stay home longer with my son. This time I plan on working up to the day before my scheduled c-section. But do what's right for you and your family, and hopefully you can get through working in the meantime! :)

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I second the idea of trying to see if you can do either 6 or 8 hour shifts. You'll never know until you ask. If they are short staffed you working 8 hours is better than not working at all if you body can handle it.

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Just an update:

I saw my doctor today and discussed my situation with her. She was hesitant at first but after hearing me out decided that she could send me on disability after next week! I am very fortunate because disability pays for 2/3 of my pay and my employer matches the other 1/3 until I am 6 weeks postpartum (regular delivery) or 8 weeks postpartum (c-section). I was nervous to speak with my manager about leaving so soon, but was also relieved when she was very kind about it and told me not to apologize and just to let her know when I want to be put back on the schedule. Just one more week of work and I'll be able to take better care of myself and baby!!!! =)

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