Pregnant with twins, working nightshift..help!

[samarooni]

Hi all, I'm about 6 months weeks pregnant with b/g twins, technically due in August . Right now I'm a full time student (just finishing up grad school, nursing) and I also work a .6 on the (night) weekends as a staff nurse- pediatric oncologyBMT. Until this month I've done pretty ok with working nights, but the past couple of weeks I just CAN'T do it and I've called in sick for two shifts (out of five or so). I'm wondering if anyone else on here is working nights, and HOW you do it! I'm going to ask my OB for a note, maybe I can get onto evening or day shift for my next month or so. I already have changed from 12 hour shifts to 8, but even after 8 hours on my feet I'm EXHAUSTED. It's so frustrating, I used to be able to do anything and now I just can't. I feel horrible the next day if I am up overnight---like a reallllllly bad hangover. Anyone had this experience? I feel terrible asking for accomodation at work but also bad when I call in sick..I feel stuck about how to handle this. I don't know if my level of exhaustion/lack of stamina is 'normal' or if I should just suck it up and keep going.

[Jolie, BSN]

Your body is sending you a loud, clear message which you should heed. Please make an appointment with your OB and determine the amount of working hours and schedule that is safe for you and your babies. Then go thru the proper channels to notify your manager and HR of the schedule changes that you need to make. Depending on facility and unit policy, you may be able to "work a deal" or you may need to begin FMLA with a reduced schedule.

Regardless, your and your babies' health is of paramount importance!

[bagladyrn, RN]

Definitely talk to your provider about what level of activity is safe for you. Carrying multiples is different than a singleton pregnancy. See if your provider will give you a note for light duty and discuss with your employer whether there is a position you could fill temporarily that would be less physically stressful - (maybe QI, chart reviews or something of that sort.)

[twinkerrs]

Having had twins myself, I can tell you at about 6 months exhaustion hit me so hard that my doc put me on modified bedrest and I worked an office job. My doc said exhaustion was just a precursor for bigger problems with a twin pregnancy and she felt the best option was to curtail it before it went further. please listen to your body and your ob.

Good luck! Having twins is a wonderful experience. congratulations.

[MedSurgeNewbie]

My twins are 12 now, but I vividly remember that wall - 'bout 6mo it was really hard.. FMLA is a great suggestion.. Twins Rock, its so much fun..

[BlueRidgeHomeRN]

:redlight:please, please, please...for the sake of your kidlets, stop your insane hours and get some rest. even if you think you can't "afford" to quit or slow down, it will cost you so much more, and not just in money, if these little ones are born early or unwell because momma didn't slow down.

you are not a mother-to-be...you are already a mommy and need to do what's best for these guys, and for your own physical and mental health.

:onbch:

a job will always be out there. you only have one chance to bring the babies safely into this world. from an old ob nurse--go to bed!!:bby::bby:

[LesMonsterRN, ADN, RN]

Another twin mom here to echo what everyone else has said. It's time to scale back and conserve your energy for those little ones. I remember 6 months was just about my limit for being able to work a lot. I had been doing 12hr shifts weekends only with modified duty and even that got to be difficult. Take care of you and those babies! :)