Work related question/vent/ something else?

IdigDirt

So I have about 8 weeks left before baby comes but I really don't know how long I can make it at work. I spend most of my day just trying not to cry from the pain. Everyday the pain gets worse and worse, I can not even sit on my couch at home without being in pain, I either have to be standing or lying down and even then I am still in a lot of pain, just less than sitting. I have tried a support belt, IcyHot, Tylenol, heating pads and nothing is helping. I am trying really hard to stick it out but I really don't know how much longer I can make it.

So I assume my doctor would put me on disability but we do not get FMLA here. We are meeting next week to see if they will even hold my job for 8 weeks so I can go out 2 weeks early. I know if I went out earlier I would not have a job to come back to. My field is not one where you can just find another job easily (not that there are any like that right now but soil research is not exactly popular in this area). We do need the money I make but if I got a part time job after the baby was here we could survive. What would you do if you were me? I am really trying to suck it up and stop complaining but I really have never been in this much pain before, it is really taking a toll on every aspect of my life.

Thanks for listening

11kacey

If I remember correctly, your job has been less than supportive since the beginning of your pregnancy and I doubt that changes after the baby is born. I would want to find out how they will react when your baby is sick, or you have regular appointments with your baby, etc. I know my manager does not 'understand' family obligations, such as when a child gets sick and you have to miss work.. she just doesn't get it. She really resents it. She thought typical maternity leave was THREE WEEKS. Anyway, back to you... I think you should evaluate how good of an environment you will be in once baby is born and base your decision on that.

As for the pain.. have you seen a chiropractor? I have never seen one in my life, but I have heard AMAZING things about them. Perhaps one can help you alleviate some of the pain you are in now to help you through the next few weeks. 

I am so sorry you are going through this! Hugs!!!

IdigDirt

11kacey:

If I remember correctly, your job has been less than supportive since the beginning of your pregnancy and I doubt that changes after the baby is born. I would want to find out how they will react when your baby is sick, or you have regular appointments with your baby, etc. I know my manager does not 'understand' family obligations, such as when a child gets sick and you have to miss work.. she just doesn't get it. She really resents it. She thought typical maternity leave was THREE WEEKS. Anyway, back to you... I think you should evaluate how good of an environment you will be in once baby is born and base your decision on that.

As for the pain.. have you seen a chiropractor? I have never seen one in my life, but I have heard AMAZING things about them. Perhaps one can help you alleviate some of the pain you are in now to help you through the next few weeks. 

I am so sorry you are going through this! Hugs!!!

3 weeks?? That is INSANE. Your insides would probably fall out if you went back in 3 weeks. My work sucks but I get 10 personal days a year and I would have to use those for any sick baby or appointments stuff. My boss is good about letting me take my personal or vacay time whenever I want but I don't know what would happen if I ran out. I also really hate that I have to drive an hour each way to and from work, that's 2 extra hours away from the baby but I knew all that before I decided to have a baby.

I think I will make an appointment with a chiropractor, I haven't done it yet because I really can't afford a $50 co-pay every week (I heard that's how often you have to go)  but I guess it's either spend an extra $50 or loose an entire salary.  Thanks for your input!

11kacey

$50 is a ton! My coworker told me it was $35, but I am with you.. weekly it seems like a lot. I was thinking about going once and then seeing how often after that I need to go. Maybe you could get away with just going for a few weeks and see if that leads to relief for longer? 

Re your job... 

Do you have flex hours? I am allowed to make up my time by working later in the day or coming in earlier, so I will say that is very nice. But with your commute, is it really worth it?

I would do the math: gas mileage, clothes allowance for work, wear and tear on car, time away from baby, etc and see how much money you spend in a week and if you can find something locally (even part time) that will work better for you.

IdigDirt

$50 is my co-pay for insurance but maybe I could find one that doesn't need to go through insurance. A friend told me she paid $40 without insurance which seems a lot better than $50 with insurance.

I have been thinking a lot about if this is worth it to stay here. Just the emotional toll this place takes on me would cost thousands in therapy to fix. With that siad I really enjoy my job (as in the work I do not the place I do it for). It is such a hard choice since I want to see my baby more. I spent a lot of time in school but if I wanted something part time the only thing I would really be qualified to do would be watering plants at Home Depot making a third what I make now an hour. 

I wish there was an easy answer.