Working while pregnant

[Nightingale11]

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?

[maddie45]

What does everyone think about going on light duty in the third trimester?

I work on a 38 bed tele floor where we are ALWAYS short staffed... some days each nurse has 5 patients and only 1 CNA and nurses do bed changes and baths and help transfer patients, etc...

So my real question is: Is 31 weeks too early to ask for light duty?

[RNKPCE]

At my job if you can't do full duty you can't work.

[Caffeine_IV]

We don't have light duty at my job either. If you aren't able to do the work, you can start your FMLA early if the MD puts you on leave.

As far as being too early or not..that is up to each individual and their care provider. Some have an easy pregnancy and others are having lots pain and other complications by that time.

Most of the pregnant nurses I've worked with worked until around 38weeks and received a lot of help from staff when possible/necessary.

[infermierequebecoise]

Oh my dear god...This is something that just gets to me...I realize we are VERY lucky here in Quebec, but have only been aware of it since I started dating an American. I am an agency nurse at the moment, and the DAY we find out we are pregnant, we can get a doctors note, and if we cant get reassigned to light-duty, then we go on leave that is paid by the government until 36 weeks gestation (70% of your regular salary). If you are a regular employee you are reassigned to light duty, no at-risk patients (nothing contagious, no influenza, C.Diff, etc..)If you have any health issues, you are stopped, again, paid by the government. After 36 weeks, you get on maternity leave, which is up to 50 weeks total after delivery. I never thought this WASNT standard!! This just seems like totally inhumane treatment of pregnant staff, to be honest!