Working while pregnant

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How far along before you start feeling the strain? I'd like to work all the way through if I could. If not possible, is there a way I could temporarily get a desk job towards end of pregnancy?

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I was an aide when I first got pregnant and had to quit, because I was so tired all the time. I do know a lot of people who can work all the way through their pregnancies, but it was too hard on me. Plus my mind got super forgetful and I did not want to put a patient at risk.

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I worked med/surg until 36 weeks when I went on maternity leave. It was exhausting toward the end...being on your feet all night and all that. Good luck!

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How far along before you start feeling the strain? I'd like to work all the way through if I could. If not possible, is there a way I could temporarily get a desk job towards end of pregnancy?

Everyone is different. I worked until 34 weeks with my twin pregnancy (worked 32 hours/week-8 hour shifts until 32 weeks then 4 hour shifts until 34 weeks) Only adjustable sandals fit my feet so I couldn't work past 34 weeks. Delivered at 36 weeks (36-37 weeks for twins is common working or not).

otessa

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Specializes in LPN, Peds, Public Health.

With my daughter I worked as an aide in LTC until I was 7 months along. Had to stop because I was lifting too much by myself.

With my son I worked up until the day before my scheduled c-section. I worked as an LPN in pediatrics at that time.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, educator.

Worked all night, went over and had my baby that afternoon lol I was 40 2/7 weeks lol

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Specializes in ER, Peds, Informatics.

I worked until the very end (38 1/2) weeks. I was induced at 39 weeks. It is difficult, but I managed. I kept my weight in check and my co-workers were wonderful whenever I needed help and often helped me without me asking. Yes, it is difficult to find the motivation to work, but I did it and never complained (b/c there was really nothing I could do until I delivered). I work night shift on a large pediatric unit - I have co-workers that have gone into labor on the floor (that's a little bit too much for me), but most of us, if not all of us, are crazy.......again, everyone's different, so just listen to your body and do what's best for you.

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Specializes in L&D/Postpartum/Newborn, Home Health.

Talk to your doctor or midwife, but, if you don't have any complications there should be no reason you can't work till the end.

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Specializes in Gerontological Nursing, Acute Rehab.

With my last pregnancy, I worked full time until I was induced at 36 weeks.

Towards the end of my pregnancy, when I got home from work, I plopped (and I mean plopped!) myself on the couch and stayed that way. I might get up to cook dinner....poor hubby and kids had to fend for themselves a lot!

So, rest often, and like others mentioned, keep your weight in check. That helps tremendously with how you feel overall, but even more so when you have to be on your feet most of the day. Eat regularly and keep healthy snacks available. Stay hydrated. Go to bed early. (Doesn't pregnancy sound like fun??!!)

Good luck to you! Babies are a wonderful thing!! Makes me want to have #6!!

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Specializes in Med-Surg ICU.

Here's my question to tag onto this. My last trimester was great, but what do you do if you're REALLY sick in the beginning of your pregnancy? I vomited around 3x/day for 4 or 5 months. How do you deal with that while you're trying to care for patients (and the sights and the smells and....)

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Specializes in Hem/Onc, LTC, AL, Homecare, Mgmt, Psych.
Here's my question to tag onto this. My last trimester was great, but what do you do if you're REALLY sick in the beginning of your pregnancy? I vomited around 3x/day for 4 or 5 months. How do you deal with that while you're trying to care for patients (and the sights and the smells and....)

Small meals, saltines, enough water and plenty of rest. Slow deep breathing through your mouth (not the nose!) Those tips may helped manage but not cure my nausea. I had morning sickness off and on pretty much through the whole pregnancy. I worked up until I was 41 weeks my second pregnancy (ended up being 2 weeks overdue). One time when I was pregnant I had a patient with severe rectal bleeding and I almost fainted. It was so strange, I've never had that happen before. I had to sit down and another nurse took over. Luckily I worked with a great group of nurses. So all in all, it's doable. Just take the pace down a notch.

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I was a home care hospice nurse during my pregnancy. I stayed traveling through up til the day before my due date. On my due date I was relegated to doing work in the office until I delivered. That only ended up being one day.

As for the "morning" sickness, which we all know isn't confined to the mornings. I was sick for a good 3-4 months at the beginning my pregnancy. It was a bit different than being on the floor, since I traveled from home to home, I had some time to grab some crackers in between patients. I do remember one bedbound patient who I was doing an admission on who was soiled from head to toe. As I was trying to address the situation, the smell of urine was so intense that I couldn't breathe and felt as though I was going to loose it. Luckily I was able to go out on their front porch to get some fresh air and call an aide who was in the area to come a help, so we could get it done more quickly. That was the worst I ever had though.

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