When did being pregnant become a disability?

[guest940422]

Full disclosure, I've never been pregnant... that being said everyone I've ever met has been. Once upon a time working with pregnant co-workers meant they couldn't go into radioactive rooms or take care of patients with chicken pox... at some point they may need more bathroom breaks, no sweat.

Now somehow I can't get through a shift without hearing about how pregnancy is making poor Susie suffer at 14 weeks gestation (give me shelter).

I'm sure it sounds ****** but if you can't do your job, get light duty orders from your doctor. We have full benefits.

We already have to work short staffed for 3 months while you are on maternity leave... don't half ass everything for 9 months before that and make us pick up the slack on top of it!

Today I tried to call report to the ICU while I was pulling my patient off the table in IR. The nurse told me she needed me to have a transporter meet her in IR to push the bed back to ICU for her because she is pregnant and can't push it herself.

We have self-propelled motorized beds, it's harder to push a shopping cart at the supermarket. I took the patient expecting to find a woman due any day now and was greeted by a young, healthy, girl who was barely showing.

I wish this was an isolated incident, but it's a growing trend and among hundreds of examples where women expect others to do their work for them because some of us take birth control and some of us don't.

There is no reason in the world a healthy pregnant woman cannot perform her work duties (baring obvious exposures). There is no reason in the world why an unhealthy pregnant woman should be at work in a damn hospital.

Thanks

[/username, BSN, RN]

Well that was nasty of you. Why be like that? "She offended me first", so its okay?

Do you really think that list of "accomplishments" makes you better than another nurse?

It doesn't.

And not only are those just nursing jobs, with nothing special about it, but unless OP developed those programs, he has no right claiming those facility accomplishments as their own.

To OP: I'm sorry about your member.

[LovingLife123]

I just want to say, I work at a Comprehensive Stroke Center. Our patients are brought to us by IR. We have motorized beds.

I suffered from hyperemisis gravidum most of my last pregnancy. I vomited constantly. My OB continually asked me to reduce my hours due to the nature of being an ICU nurse. I eventually agreed at 25 weeks. I was of no use anymore. But I carried the insurance. My husband owns a construction company. Insurance is still much more expensive through the marketplace.

I had to take one day of PTO throughout the rest of my pregnancy. It sucked as I had worked so hard to save my hours. I had to come back early. It was awful putting my 3 month old into daycare and him getting RSV one day into it. I felt like the worst mother ever.

Unless you have been there, done that, you have no room to judge. I took on 3 patients for a pregnant coworker a few weeks ago and didn't bat an eye. We never take more than 2 on my unit. But the situation called for me to take it on. I would do it again. No questions asked.

OP, needs to chill. And maybe get pregnant to understand. Let me state, that any woman who does not choose to get pregnant by her own decision needs to. That's a very big decision. But you still need to be compassionate to those that do. My second and third trimesters I just sat on the couch on my days off. It's very stressful and energy depriving to grow a human. And the feelings a woman goes through. I felt so useless being pregnant. Here I was, growing a human, yet, I felt so useless as a human myself.

We are growing the next generation. Be grateful!!!

[Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN]

WOW what an angry rant. While I sympathize about your dilema ,I must say not every pregnancy is what you decided it showed be so you do not have any extra work.

My years of having worked in an area where normal pregnancies are the exception ,I know first hand what a disaster waiting to happen some pregnancies can be,with a lifetime of disability.

With abortion being available and mistakes many of imperfect humans make,those cervixes no longer have the same firmness to easily hold a pregnancy to term.

Where IVF frequently resulting in multiples,or sadly micro preemies,older primiparas (elderly by Obstetrical standards) each pregnancy is often a last chance for a baby.

I know of units on other floors where the Old Maid head nurse-yes that's what they called (single,older women,especially mean ones) would abuse the pregnant nurses with heavy assignments and harass them about their bathroom breaks and so on.

I am certainly glad that is no longer tolerated,and many of our co workers were treated with kindness and consideration.We would never allow any pregnant nurse push heavy equipment although sometimes we were unaware they were newly pregnant as they were afraid of early miscarriage.

Many started having premature labor while at work and at that point most had to stay home.No job is worth the life of a baby,or a preemie with brain bleeds,lung compromise,feeding tubes.

We all knew that on my unit, and we all took care of our own,no matter how much we hated the lazy ones,no one wanted a bad outcome on their conscience.

But it is a matter of education and knowing what that precious pregnancy means to your co worker. So instead of being upset count your blessings and be nice to her and maybe one day when you are in her shoes ,she will return the favor.

[JadedCPN, BSN, RN]

It has been my experience that the "lazy" pregnant nurses, also happen to be the same lazy nurses who try to get out of stuff when they aren't pregnant...so I don't think pregnancy is the issue here.

[guest769224]

unless OP developed those programs, he has no right claiming those facility accomplishments as their own.

The OP did not claim them as their own accomplishments, only stated that they work(ed) in them.

[EllaBella1, BSN]

I'm pregnant with my first now and am on a lifting/pushing/pulling restriction due to a (thankfully resolving) subchorionic hematoma. I discussed it with my manager and she agreed that we could accommodate my restrictions without me having to go on light duty. Sure it means that I have to ask others to help me a bit through my shift, but honestly I don't feel bad about it. I've done the same thing for other pregnant nurses throughout the years, and I'm grateful to work in a hospital that fosters a culture in which we help and support each other. I don't view myself as being lazy by simply trying my best to keep my baby safe in there.

[guest940422]

And not only are those just nursing jobs, with nothing special about it, but unless OP developed those programs, he has no right claiming those facility accomplishments as their own.

To OP: I'm sorry about your member.

Well were all only human here. I came home from work annoyed that the 4th person in a week had me do their job for them "because I'm pregnant" and I

thought I'd vent a little on allnurses to blow off my steam in a more constructive way than saying something mis-guided or mis-informed at work.

But then I had 40 ish strangers attack me.

I tried to stay light hearted and even joke a bit but then had my intelligence and credibility questioned. It's just a stupid internet feed. But it took me a lot longer to get rude and inappropriate than everyone else.

Gary is my father's name. I am a woman who isn't dumb enough to have my real name on this site.

But it's been eye opening to see how most nurses treat our Male colleagues who dare to have the same opinions plenty of women have too.

[guest940422]

I'm pregnant with my first now and am on a lifting/pushing/pulling restriction due to a (thankfully resolving) subchorionic hematoma. I discussed it with my manager and she agreed that we could accommodate my restrictions without me having to go on light duty. Sure it means that I have to ask others to help me a bit through my shift, but honestly I don't feel bad about it. I've done the same thing for other pregnant nurses throughout the years, and I'm grateful to work in a hospital that fosters a culture in which we help and support each other. I don't view myself as being lazy by simply trying my best to keep my baby safe in there.

That's fabulous, does your pregnancy prevent you from retaining information? This post is about pregnant women who aren't on restrictions but decide simply being pregnant ristricts what they can do.... sort of how over the last decade or two they started getting special parking spots along with women with children... handicap spots I understand... apparently the American dream comes with a parking spot too

[Davey Do]

This post is about pregnant women who aren't on restrictions but decide simply being pregnant ristricts what they can do....

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[Tenebrae, BSN, RN]

Ok so you went there, I'm going there. Yes &$#@^ I'm a nurse. I've been an RN since I was 21 years old, I worked in ICU and step down for 11 years before I changed specialties a year ago to Neuro Interventional Radiology. My hospital has the largest stroke program in the region. Before that I worked as a traveler and had the opportunity to be a guest staff member in ICUs in some of the top Magnet children's hospitals in the country.

Exactly what nursing home do you work as an LVN at?

...

Wow....

You just lost all moral high ground when you went there

And before you want to try that with me. I've just finished with one of the largest providers of older persons health in the entire world

And taken up a new position as charge nurse at the third largest provider of aged care services in my country.

Get that huge chip off your shoulder

[Tenebrae, BSN, RN]

But then I had 40 ish strangers attack me.

A very wise person who I hugely admire told me once, "if one person has a problem with you, deal with it and move on. If multiple people have the same problem with you, then perhaps its time to look at your own reactions to the situation

[Davey Do]

I came home from work annoyed that the 4th person in a week had me do their job for them "because I'm pregnant" and I thought I'd vent a little on allnurses to blow off my steam in a more constructive way than saying something mis-guided or mis-informed at work.

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