Braxton Hicks at work

Everyusernameistaken

Hi folks,

I am a Kindergarten teacher and therefore spend most of my day on my feet, bending down, and just moving around in general.  Ever since I came back from Spring Break, I have been having frequent BH contractions starting about halfway through the day...not painful but mildly uncomfortable and very frequent, unless I sit down and stay down.  This is very difficult in my job and I feel that it is hard on the kids too because I can't be as engaged and responsive as I want to be, and because it limits our outdoor learning as the weather gets nice.  My Dr. told me that BH  brought on by exertion are a sign that I need to slow down and rest, but I am finding this increasingly difficult in my particular line of work. 

I don't want to be a slacker but obviously my first priority is my lil one's health, and avoiding preterm labour (my Dr. is not terribly concerned about this but said that it is a possibilty if I don't listen to my body and sit when I need to).  I'm getting mixed messages about the whole BH thing..some people seem to say it's normal and not to worry, others are very careful about it.

Sooo...what do I do?  Do I continue my job as best I can sitting on my butt?  Do I go off early?  Do I cut down to a few days a week?  Has anybody else been in a similar situation?

Thanks in advance for your input!

(edited for spelling)

Horsey322

I was a 3rd grade teacher when pregnant w/ DD and I had to go on early maternity leave bc of preterm labor issues.  I know the stress of being a teacher and how demanding a classroom full of kids can be, ESP 5k!!  I say it's not worth the risk of LO! 

jamiah18

I agree with pp, it's not worth the risk.  I teach 3rd and I sort of feel like I'm phoning it in sometimes from my desk, which is completely not my teaching style.  I even spoke to my principal about this, and he was completely understanding and told me family comes first, he even told me he would take my recess duty if I ever needed him to.  Maybe talk to your principal?

LottaLattes

I was a first year third-grade teacher with my first and my master teacher finally just told me to sit down.  She agreed that in normal circumstances you "teach on your feet, not in your seat" but but she said this did NOT apply when you are 30+ weeks pregnant.  Find a way to sit and do a lot of the same things, your kids will be okay.