Pregnant and working full time

xoemmylouox, ASN, RN · Sep 11, 2013

I worked until I was scheduled to be induced. As long as your OB says it's safe you should be ok to work. Just talk to your manager AND HR. Everyone needs to be on the same page. Start thinking about your leave too. I wouldn't agree to anything yet, but think about what you would like.

shipmanmisty · Sep 11, 2013

I am currently 9 months pregnant. I work full time on a busy med surg floor. I am scheduled to be induced Sept 24th. My boss has taken my off the schedule a week before my induction. At the beginning of my pregnancy, I wanted to work up until I delivered. I even worked 12hr shifts until I was 6 months. Then I started work 4 8hr shifts a week. In this last month, it has gotten harder and harder to go to work, I have also started having severe swelling in my legs. My advice is to work until you get close to 8 months and then see where you are at. I felt fine until this last month and it is a blessing in disguise that my boss has taken my off the scheduled early. Every pregnancy is different and hopefully you will get to work until due date. Listen to your body and your doctor and talk with your manager. Good Luck and Congrats!

Assess&Safety1st, BSN, RN · Sep 12, 2013

I'm 26 weeks preg new grad nurse worked for 3 months in dr's office and now on bedrest at 6 1/2 months. My situation is different my cervix length shortened to 1.9cm at 22 weeks not good. On meds 24hr q 4 hrs! Bedrest til Dec. I wanted to work til I was 9 months but unfortunately my situation is different

Its small dr office and boss is holding my job position so she says but yes every situation is different.

Good luck!

itsinmy<3 · Sep 12, 2013

Hi there! Congratulations on your new blessing!

I worked up until 36weeks/9 months. My last day at work was November 16th and I delivered my son December 12th. At the time of my pregnancy I had a desk job and sat on my butt all day. Let me tell you, as time passed it got harder. You would think standing on your feet is hard but also sitting on your butt all day is just as bad. Back pain was excruciating, my feet would swell, and I didn't have the energy to get up/around. I suggest you work up until at least 9 months, by law you're entitled to work up until 9 months and then get paid for disability. Don't stress yourself too much. The body can only take so much - especially being pregnant. Do your research, find out the policies/procedures at your job, and then talk to your boss. Have the facts ready before you finalize anything.

Remember! you have rights!

ASPIRING2BGREAT · Sep 12, 2013

I worked in a office also, and worked both pregnancies up until a week before my due date. My boss was very understanding and was only concerned that I communicated with her about it. I had very good pregnancies and had no issues. There's no specific policy at my job for pregnancy so each job is different.

Best of luck!

CNLLVN · Sep 12, 2013

Did any of you try to start a new job while pregnant? I moved and left my job and the next day found out I was pregnant... Seems like no one wants to hire a pregnant nurse lol.. I did get one job but it was at a physc setting and deff not safe!! I'm just wondering if maybe I should just try PRN jobs so I don't feel guilty for leaving in 4-5 months

shipmanmisty · Sep 12, 2013

My job hired a gvn that was about 6 months pregnant as a PRN. Fortunately prns at my job usually get full time hrs. It may be beneficial to you to take a prn job. :)

nrsang97, BSN, RN · Sep 13, 2013

I worked up until I took myself off at 37 weeks. If you can work then why wont she let you? Play things by ear now though. You may feel just fine now, but by then be ready to go on leave.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Sep 13, 2013

I have a question and I'm hoping someone can help me. I've been working for a year with a inpatient hospice house. I'm full time. I'm pregnant 22 weeks and my manager told me I would be took off the schedule when I'm 8 months pregnant. My doctor told me and wrote a prescription today stating I am physically capable of working til I deliver. How can I talk to my manager about this without stirring trouble? I say it like that because she is very easily annoyed. Should I be able to continue to work if my doctor sees it safe? I've been looking into the laws for pregnant women and they are vague. Has any of you girls worked full time pregnant? Thanks!

I am curious why you MD wrote you a note at 22 weeks that you can work until you deliver when there is NO WAY he could possibly know that for sure. You could reach 40 weeks and develop complications....so he can't possibly tell what you will be in 20 weeks.

Do you want to work until delivery? Do you financially have to work until delivery? Was your manager being nice by saying she would take you off the schedule at 8 months? Many people want the last 2 to 4 weeks for to relax, get rest and organize the babies things. Maybe she like to have her personnel have the last 4 weeks off so she can plan replacement or hire agency/travelers to cover while you are gone.

What is it you need?

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Sep 13, 2013

HR is your new best friend. If you are in the US, there is an enormous amount of case law pertaining to pregnancy. It is NOT a disability so your employer is not legally required to make any 'reasonable accommodations'. I doubt whether HR will just let your manager just arbitrarily tell you when you are coming off the schedule if you are still capable of performing the work. You don't need the extra stress... just turn it over to HR and let them intervene on your behalf.

T-Bird78 · Sep 13, 2013

With my oldest, I worked right up until D-day. I left work for my scheduled weekly check, the doctor stretched my membranes, and I had my son 10 hours later. With my toddler, I worked right up until 36 weeks and was put on bed rest due to premature contractions and dehydration (I'd had severe hyperemesis in the first two trimesters on top of that). Tell HR and your manager you will work up until your due date unless otherwise indicated by your OB. They may be planning a time frame for coverage for you in case you do have to leave early, but let them know you're willing to work longer. Good luck!