Work conditions

sherrera92

Anyone work in less than favorable work conditions for pregnancy? I'm talk the standing all day, lifting, cna/nursing type duties, or dealing with individuals prone to physical aggression.

What's your way of working with it? 

I work with some clients who can get aggressive and we do physical holds if needed. I'm getting a new one that likes to target pregnant people. I've never been more thankful for my B belly. I'm getting on the severely baggy shirt train. Woowoo! 

Carly79

@sherrera92 I don't work in similar situations nor am I overly familiar with laws and such but I would definitely suggest talking to your employer. They should not be putting you in a situation where you are in danger because of your pregnancy and it sounds as though they are doing that if they know you have someone that targets pregnant people. Depending on the job and the status and different things, I believe they have to work with you. I think you can also talk with your doctor if needed about certain restrictions.

In regards to the standing and lifting, look in to a pregnancy support belt to help your back and I'm assuming you have quality shoes if you are in a nursing type profession but it may be time to evaluate the need for a new pair. Make sure when you get a break or lunch you are putting your feet up and drinking lots of water.

nolemama24

@sherrera92 that sounds scary???? Why is your employer putting you with a client that targets pregnant people? I am worried about you girly!!! 

For the most part, my job is me sitting in my office, but I am a buyer so I get looooooots of merchandise to review/samples to put away/etc. My co-workers have been very sweet about not letting me pick up heavy boxes and we have carts that we can wheel around with boxes, so I have been using those more to put boxes/heavy merchandise. I make sure to drink lots of water and I have a box filled with old samples underneath my desk that I keep my feet propped up on all the time

sherrera92

I'm not being put there. I'm the supervisor of my unit so they're coming to me. The unit therapist is also pregnant so we're just approaching it from the caution stand point. We're not direct care but we can still be involved if a clients in crisis. 

MaryNog

@sherrera92 take care of yourself and good luck with your patients!!

Carly79

Well that sounds a little better. I was thinking, if you get a chance to do some prenatal yoga or something like that it may also help with being on your feet all day long.

gapeachrn

I'm a nurse and on my feet a lot of the day. I was accessing a port at work the other day when a known to be puny man almost kneed me in the stomach when I inserted the needle. I almost had an ugly pregnant moment. The patient was well aware I was pregnant and embarrassed after the fact. 

KarliQ88

I'm a nurse. I work in cardiac/cardiovascular ICU. I don't like that there isn't much work does to protect pregnant workers. They tell me i can be around infectious patients as long as i follow precautions. I do not feel comfortable taking on patients with things like shingles,CMV, influenza or Tuberculosis. Luckily my coworkers always 100% have each others backs. My employer may not but i can count on my coworkers. If someone is combative or has some infectious disease they will take the patient for me. I did the same for them when i wasn't pregnant. 

The bending and lifting is getting really really hard. I actually snapped at a patient the other day. I feel really bad about it. He was 400 some pounds and wanted me to lift his legs in bed. He was rude and demanding about it. I was like "i am 6 months pregnant. If you can't lift your legs do you think i can?" he was like "get someone that can." i just replied "no. You either do it yourself or we use the mechanical lift." pregnancy got me on a short fuse. I truley feel there is not alot protecting pregnant healthcare workers and the things we are exposed to and have to deal with. 

Smiley-1980

I'm definitely noticing a big difference at the job I have now than the one I had when I was pregnant with my DD. With her I sat all day and only got up to walk to a printer/copier a few times a day. At my job now I enter orders in a computer but after each order I have to get up and walk down a hall to get the order from a group printer and then process it and walk back. I probably do that about 30-40 times a day so it's a lot of walking.