Any pregnant CNA's?

Randy'sgirl52409

Just curious to see how all of you are doing at work.

 I know personally I am struggling greatly with lower back pain from all of the heavy lifting, washing feet while kneeling on the floor, trying to catch falling patients... ect ect...also my feet are so swollen all of the time (even with TED stockings on) and feel like they could explode at any minute while I have my work shoes on. I am only 22 weeks and was hoping to work at least through the end of July( Due Aug27) but I don't know.... I don't want to voluntarily put myself out of work because I can't afford that. I work on a very heavy floor in a major hospital. We often get 10 if not more patients a shift and have to perform all care on at least 7 of them as well as ambulate them, or change them frequently. I know of CNA's on my floor who have worked till the end but I just don't see how. I feel like I am being a big wimp but I am in some serious pain every shift...

 Any insight?  

CCFikes

I can't believe you are lifting and potentially "catching" patients! The regular care, yeah. I'm a therapist in a nursing home, and I quit lifting immediately. None of the nurses or coworkers will let me even try to pull someone up in bed. No wonder you're struggling! I can't believe your coworkers aren't doing more to help you. Mine watch my every move! You're not a wimp. Unless you're in that line of work someone wouldn't know how demanding it is. See if your coworkers will lighten your load some. Try and go to 7 pt's, break more and when you do break/lunch keep your feet up! Wish I had some better advice for you! I know that's all easier said than done but you have to get off your feet some!

BellaDella

     I am not a CNA, but I am an EMT and I do have to lift and bend a LOT on shift. I was concerned about this in the beginning but my Dr promised me that I would not be putting baby in any danger by doing the lifting etc that I was already used to. SO far I have been okay with this, however, if my job begins to cause me that much pain I will not hesitate to stop working.

   I am in the same position as far as not being able to lose the income right now, is there a light duty position you can take for the remainder of your pregnancy? 

n.a.olson

i agree! I am working at an assisted living place so thankfully don't have too many people that need a lot of cares but we do showers and laundry...so by the end of the day I am ready to get home and rest! I second about asking coworkers to help, I hate asking for help but always offfer to do something to help them that is easier for me to do! Most people are really great about it! I'm only going on 19 weeks and haven't had any problems with swelling or anything but i'm sure it will come sometime! Hope all goes well!!! GOOD LUCK!

Canes26

I'm not a CNA anymore, but with my DS #1 I was. I worked till 38 weeks, I did way more lifting then i prob should have, did have lot of people help me near the end. But I had Horrible back pain and moved very very slow the last month and a half. Good luck

niknak7

I'm not a CNA however I am an occupational therapist assistant in a nursing home so I am doing similar duties. I assist with showers, dressing, walking patients, lifting etc. I am still pretty early in my pregnancy however have had the same concerns. My doctor says doing the same lifting is fine but I don't know that I will be able to handle it along with being on my feet all day, especially in 3rd tri. My coworkers help some however I still have to meet the duties of my job or leave. We have had CNA's in our building work until the day before delivery but usually they are given the easier patients (lighter or can do more of their own care). Maybe you could ask for a change of patients, jobs are supposed to do that similar to if you had a back injury like light duty?

HRMJPC

Talk to your doctor about it. Perhaps he could recommend that you go on light duty or something. Then, you're hospital would have no choice but to lighten your load.