Working while Pregnant??

allnurses Guide · Feb 21, 2004

I had a baby 2 1/2 years ago and took the last two months off. Went back to work when my son was 4 months old (very much against my will as I'd been a stay-at-home mom for my other 3 kids) BUT I went back part-time. I have to say that it was the smartest thing I ever did. I would not go back to work full time now for anything.

It was exhausting for me even when I wasn't pregnant and I can look back and see I was on the road to burn-out so maybe the pregnancy was a blessing in more ways than one. We work 3-3 shifts and I get up at 1:45 a.m., which seems nuts. But I'm home when my kids get home from school, although I'm tired, and my son stays at my in-laws ranch on the two days a week I do work. My life is sooooo much less stressful.

All my pregnancies were normal except this last one happened when I was in my 40's and I did have some high BP problems related to being tired, which is why my OB sent me home on disability the last two months - bless her!!!

Congratulations on the good news and make sure that your family comes first. I'll never put my job before my family again.

Good luck!

steph

karenG · Feb 21, 2004

I worked through both my pregancies.. had to stop work at 36wks because I developed carpal tunnel and couldnt actually feel my fingers.. which as an ophthalmic nurse meant I couldnt work!! (ever tried to do eye dressings when you cant feel your fingers.. not clever!)

good luck!!

Karen

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2004

Hello,
I just found out I am 6 weeks pregnant :balloons: I am thrilled and of course a nervous wreck! I was wondering how long you other nurses worked while pregnant, did you switch to a less stressfull position? I am the only nurse on the 3-11 shift at a long term care facility, 30 patients and I am responsible for passing meds.
Any info/ advice is greatly appreciated!!

Congrats! I work LTC part timed on the 3-11 shift. I do have a LPN with me for about 48 residents.. I do meds and treatments and act as charge. As far as stressfull, I mostly work weekends so its not bad. I'm do at the end of March with baby #3 so My last day will be Feb 29... As far as my health, I have been lucky with this one...only alittle PIH, but I am soooo big... bending over has been a task! My biggest piece of advice rest before you work and drink your fluids.. and take your breaks!

RNKPCE · Feb 21, 2004

I lot of contractions with my first about 34 weeks and had to stop working but otherwise not really curtail activity. I was working day shift on a busy medical floor. That is when my doctor told me docs and nurses have a high rate of premature labor. My first was born about 18 days early. My second was born 2 weeks early and I had one more shift to work, New Years Eve. Got out of that one!

Take it one day at a time.

stressednurse · Feb 21, 2004

I was pregnant with my third child during my first year of nursing school. I had a c-section in August so had to complete the second year - one year later. I was also finishing my paramedic preceptor time.

I developed gestational diabetes and had to check my sugars 3 times a day and calculate my insulin. We couldn't find a correct pre-mix so I calculated that too with R and NPH. Two weeks prior to delivery I became hypoglycemic while working. My crew saw this as I was talking nonsense according to them, they took me to hospital. When we arrived, at 1am, doc looked at me and crew, all in uniform... and asked, what You get bored and make a patient. LOL, we all laughed and they told me maybe no more paramedic till the child arrives.

I did paramedic till 2 weeks prior to delivering.

I have seen a few nurse aids work till delivery time, I was supervisor one day and I sent her to hospital in labor, second stage. We knew the babies stats prior to end of shift.

Nurses a week prior.

Social workers a week and two weeks before.

Some day I will deliver a baby in a long term care facility LOL as that is what I am doing now.

Julie, RN · Feb 21, 2004

I have a 14 month old little boy.

I worked until the day before I was induced b/c he was late.

Everyone is different, I had no major problems-just the usual (Nausea the first trimester and tired the last).

I work as a staff nurse on an inpatient oncology unit.

Congrats!

Julie :)

RNforLongTime · Feb 22, 2004

I'm 30 weeks. I work ICU. I plan on working up until I deliver. I don't have to take patients in isolation precautions and haven't since I found out I was expecting. There's no written rule that says I am exempt from them but it's a common courtesy in my unit. And as my OB said, why would I want to put my baby at unnecessary risk.

L&DTami · Feb 22, 2004

I worked in long term care when I had my secnond and third. I was working as a Nurses Aide for child # 2, took leave 2 weeks prior, worked as Nurse for child # 3- I would have been at work the day I delivered except my dog was sick and the oldest had head lice (GASP!) new kindergartner who had tried on someone elses headgear! The day BEFORE I delivered the nurse aides were one short so I worked on the floor with them, lifting pts in and out of bed and bathing changing briefs etc. NEVER had any complications of pregnancy, EVER. Never preterm labor either. Make of it what you will!

CseMgr1, ASN, RN · Feb 22, 2004

I was working part-time and going to school, when I discovered I was pregnant with my only child 27 years ago. Unfortunately, because my husband's health insurance didn't pay diddly-squat, I was forced to quit school and go to work full time, to pay my $700.00 doctor bill up front (my husband had to pay $500.00 down, just to hold my hospital bed!).

Anyway, at 12 weeks, I became miserably sick with morning sickness, which lasted five months (I spent a lot of time in the Nurses' Lounge bathroom throwing up), and at 7 months, developed a full-blown case of physiological anemia, which caused me to almost faint right in the middle of the nurses's station. My doctor wanted me to take my Maternity Leave right then, but I told him that wouldn't fly with his bookeeper, as she wanted that $100 installment before she would even let me go back into the treatment area, and I had another month to go, before it would be paid up.

I was finally able to take my Maternity Leave at 8 months, and throughout my pregnancy, my D.O.N. and co-workers were caring and supportive, which literally helped me to survive, for I did not have an easy pregnancy. Hope all goes well for you! :)