Work and Pregnancy

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Jun 5, 2005

I wouldnt think there are any set rules. A normal pregnancy shouldnt stand in the way of someone working. You may need a little help with lifting occasionally but it shouldnt restrict you. If you learned how to lift safely and get help when needed you shouldnt have to worry about strains or problems.

HappyNurse2005, RN · Jun 5, 2005

I see pregnant nurses out htere all the time. I myself was pregnant in nursing school, and while that isn't the same as working, I was doing 2 day a week clinicals. I even was at clinical the day after I was due. (Then I went into labor that night)

Talk to your obstetrician/midwife. YOur situation will depend on your pregnancy health. If you have complications, you may be restricted. If you have no problems in your preg, working shouldnt be a problem.

sayitaintso · Jun 5, 2005

I see pregnant nurses out htere all the time. I myself was pregnant in nursing school, and while that isn't the same as working, I was doing 2 day a week clinicals. I even was at clinical the day after I was due. (Then I went into labor that night)
Talk to your obstetrician/midwife. YOur situation will depend on your pregnancy health. If you have complications, you may be restricted. If you have no problems in your preg, working shouldnt be a problem.

thank guys i'm not pregnant, well i'm not sure so i wanted to know just incase...(i'm currently in school)

palesarah · Jun 6, 2005

A normal, uncomplicated pregnancy isn't considered a disabilty, so there aren't usually any restrictions on work. Some positions are more physically demanding than others though, and as an above poster said, the person's OB/GYN should always be consulted.

We've been going through a baby boom at work lately with my coworkers, I have 3 pregnant coworkers now, 3 are maternity leave, and I think at least 4 others have delviered in the past year. Most have worked, by choice, right up until a few days before they delivered!

Gompers, BSN, RN · Jun 6, 2005

Most have worked, by choice, right up until a few days before they delivered!

Same thing by me. Most hospitals don't offer the same cushy "maternity leaves" that other workplaces do - basically you have to use up all your hard-earned sick and vacation time, and if you're lucky it will at least be a couple of months' worth. When you do come back to work, most likely you won't have any sick or vacation hours to fall back on. It sucks!!! This is why many nurses work up until the day they go into labor.

I don't think there are any "rules" though. The only things I can think of is that nurses in my unit aren't allowed to go on ambulence or helicoptor transports if they're pregnant, and we also keep them away from patients with certain pathogens (like CMV).

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 6, 2005

That would be a question best answered by the state of your pregnancy and with your health care provider.

Some can and do work til they deliver. Others (like me) end up on bedrest in the 2nd or 3rd trimester for preterm contractions or other complications.

It's impossible to say how it will go for you until you are there. Good luck in school.

mommatrauma, RN · Jun 6, 2005

I worked up until the night before I delivered...of course my son decided to come a little early, but my plan was to work up until I delivered anyway...I worked a full time ER job and a part time private duty home health case. I did everything I normally did with the exception of pushing bariatric patients around on stretchers without a little help...otherwise, no change in my routine..

V. Nightingale · Jun 6, 2005

My last shift (I work ER) was 2 days before my son's birth. I maintained my regular work schedule throughout the entire pregnancy. I avoided psych patients, fever/rash of unknown origin, and extremely heavy lifting, but other than that had no restrictions. Mine was a normal, healthy pregnancy without complications until the day before Sam was born, when my doctor diagnosed mild PIH and suggested we go ahead and induce labor.

babynurselsa, RN · Jun 7, 2005

As teh others have said, as long aass your OB gives the go-ahead your can work right up until the event. With my 3rd I worked 10 of a 12 and went over to L&D and checked in. With my 4th I overslept and missed a shift that morning which was too bad because if I had been there he would have been born inside the hospital instead of the driveway. :rotfl:

austin heart, BSN, RN · Jun 7, 2005

I worked 12hr days 36hr weeks in the ER right up to 4 days before delivery. Could have worked right to the end but I wanted a few days to rest before the big day. I had a normal pregnancy and and while working I too avoided psych patients, fever/rash of unknown origin, and extremely heavy lifting.

Kaseyrn2b · Jun 7, 2005

Quote from Gompers:

"Same thing by me. Most hospitals don't offer the same cushy "maternity leaves" that other workplaces do - basically you have to use up all your hard-earned sick and vacation time, and if you're lucky it will at least be a couple of months' worth. When you do come back to work, most likely you won't have any sick or vacation hours to fall back on. It sucks!!! This is why many nurses work up until the day they go into labor. "

Actually, very few places in this country offer very good maternity policies. Most people I know, in any field work, right up until they deliver, and also must use their own accrued time. Even a lawyer I know was given a paltry 10 weeks. Plus, the sense that one's job, and certainly any future promotions, might be in jeopardy is still, unfortuantely, very much a real phenom even today. When I was pg w/ my second, I actually didn't even have ANY real maternity leave, as I worked 25 hrs/ week. And the family leave act, whereby you can take 12 weeks and have job protection only works if you've been working , I think its 26 +hrs/ week. Anyway, just my 2cents. The maternity leave policies in this country,or lack thereof, are some of the worst in the world. Don't get me started... :angryfire