Working FT and work after baby

Mrsstarkey08 · March 2011

I work FT as a Physical Therapist Asst and am on my feet, lifting, pulling, bending over, etc all day long. I am totally exhausted!!! I feel like I can never get rested and when I wake up I feel like I haven't even slept. I was sick my entire 1st trimester and have felt better but everyday I feel even more tired. I know pregnancy makes u tired but I almost cant explain how tired I am. I have mentioned to my employer about poss going PT and they said "We dont like that idea" and left it at that. I work for a small company(>50employees) so the FMLA rules dont apply to them. Its not financially possible for me to quit, but I could go PT and we wld be fine. I know most women work now during their pregnancy. But is there anyone else out there feeling the same and if so, how r u dealing with it?? It's overwhelming trying to perform you same duties and get ready for the baby. I really love where I work but they dont seem like they will be willing to work with me to make me more comfortable. I just wanted to see if anyone else is having a hard time working while pregnant. ??? and do u plan to return to fulltime after baby is born???

vernab · March 2011

I was exhausted with my 1st pregnancy. I could hardly make it through the day. I was in a busy doctor's office, also, a lot of walking and bending. If you can afford to go part time, I would do it. You'll feel a lot better, and be able to enjoy your pregnancy more. I feel guilty because I was so miserable at work and exhausted from it, I don't feel like I was able to enjoy my pregnancy very much. I'm a SAHM now and I already feel like I can enjoy this pregnancy a lot more. Good luck!

poolat78 · March 2011

Although i do not know the rules and regs for the US, up here in Canada, you can go to your Dr and see if there is anything that they can do. Sometimes they can prescribe shorter work weeks, or at times even bed rest. Good luck! I hope that you feel better! I couldn't imagine doing anything that is that physical daily.

zhirsch · March 2011

I was also very unhappy at work, and worked at a job where I felt most of the stuff I did was unsafe while pregnant. I had already had some of my harder duties cut back, but it wasn't enough. I loved my job, but I made the hard decision to leave and it's been indescribably better. I wake up feeling refreshed, and relatively stress free. It's nice to be able to have a few months to concentrate on me. I was lucky that this was able to work for us. Obviously if you aren't going to be able to pay your bills without you working then it would not be a good choice, but it definitely worth making some heavy sacrifices for. Maybe you could eat out less, or cancel cable or find some other way to recoup some losses. And definitely push your bosses harder about part time, and don't let them brush you off. You deserve at least a reasonable conversation about it.

islandgirl79 · March 2011

Can you ask your employer for some desk work? Even a couple hours a day will probably make you feel better.

I worked through my whole first pregnancy and hope to do the same this time around but my job involves hours sitting at a desk so it really isn't demanding.

bug81 · March 2011

My employer will not let me work PT either. I take an addt B12 vitamin and an iron supplyment. I have low iron levels which can make you even more tired. The B12 and iron seem to help give me more energy. Maybe you can talk to your Dr about it.

sweetbabyrahe · March 2011

I'm a physical therapist, so I know exactly what you are talking about. It is physical work, and as my pregnancy progresses, I just feel lucky I have supportive other staff and a great student. I plan to go back to work FT after the baby is born (because I have to), but I plan to work PT for a few weeks to adjust. I guess it may depend on where you live, but I know there are a lot of PT/PTA job openings out there, so it may be time to look elsewhere if your company won't let you work PT. Or you could always work PRN if needed.

4LittleDucks · March 2011

I'm an OT, worked FT when preg. with my first child and man, I was exhausted too! I actually worked FT up until the day I had him - literally. My water broke at work! I'm now a SAHM because I'm soon to have 4 and the cost of childcare wasn't worth me continuing work. I've supplemented with PRN work at nursing homes and home health agencies, but I've slowly decreased that with time. I love that flexibility. I know it's hard if you need the insurance or the thought of giving up the extra income. I know around here, the jobs are out there and as I've gotten older I've gotten better about making decisions in the best interest of myself and my family and not being afraid to say no. I used to stay with things out of fear of turning away but I now realize that things work out and doors will open when they need to. As we've added each of our kids, we've cut our budget a little more each time, realized that we can live with less. We're living off of one income in a way that I never before thought we could (anything I bring in is just cushion) and we're happier for it. I worried about giving up a job that I really liked but in the end I realize that my energy at home, being available at all times for my family is worth my kids living in hand-me-downs and shopping at thrift stores, driving used vehicles, and eating out only for special occasions.

Mrsstarkey08 · March 2011

Thank you for all ur responses and suggestions. My job doesnt really have an option for a desk job since I am working with patients all day. But Ive been asking to talk to my boss for over a month and they keep putting me off. But Im going to request again that speak to me soon. I dont know how understanding they will be. We run on a small crew and r pulled pretty thin at times so they told me they want me here as much as possible. But Im starting to realize that Im not enjoying my pregnancy as much as I thought I would because im so tired and have no real time for just me. I work for a family business and they say they try to accomodate their employees but when it comes down to it..they dont! I feel that I will feel much better if I had some more time to relax. Thanks again! :-)

Mrsstarkey08 · March 2011

Thanks for ur advice. I am worried about disappointing my employer and loosing that extra income. We have gotten used to things but I know we can do without some of them. Ive considered checking into home health as I know the schedule is more flexible. I do love the people I work with and dont want to leave. But I feel its in my and my baby's best interest for me to slow down. When I mentioned to my boss that later in my preg I may want to cut down my hours....they didnt like that at all and pretty much said they want a FT employee and will look for another (in so many wor. Its hard to be pregnant and possibly consider changing my routine. I dont like not being secure and I worry that employers wont want to hire a preg woman or one right after a baby. Maybe I shouldnt be worried about that..i dont know?? We are worried about putting our baby in daycare and havent really decided what we want to do yet. But thanks for ur advice..it helps!

Tara415 · March 2011

I am a researcher and work about 60hr/wk. I would give anything to cut back to PT. I'm exausted 24/7 and pretty much go right to sleep the second I get home. I can't get anything done in planning for the baby and I'm not enjoying this pregnancy at all. I also am at a company with <50 employees so no FMLA benefits. I have to stay FT to maintain my health insurance throughout the pregnancy, but if I had another option, I'd have switched the moment I saw the BFP! It sounds like your employer is not very flexable, so maybe try and get your doctor involved and see if s/he would write a note that "due to pregnancy... my patient cannot work more than ____ hours/week." My OB has helped me out a lot, so grateful.

Mrsstarkey08 · April 2011

Well I thought I would share with you what happened. I seen my OB last wk and we talked about everything and he felt strongly that I should cut back to PT. He did write a letter for me and when I approached my employer they were not happy. They took me aside and told me if I went PT I would loose all my benefits, vacation time I have already earned and loose my maternity leave, also I would be considered quitting when I leave to have the baby. B/C with no maternity leave, they do not have to hold my position for me. I feel totally screwed over!!!!! They were not willing to work with me at all! They explained they have no policies in place for PT employees, that all benefits are for FT employees. I work in a small company with 25 employees. I spoke to my HR rep and she said its all legal b/c everything states for FT employees. I am truly upset over having to make this choice. My DH and I decided that for my health I will go PT and I will just look for another job once I am ready. I do not feel this is legal at all! I know there r not alot of laws in place for pregnant women but I do not feel they should be able to deny me maternity leave as ive worked here for 1 1/2 years and Im not quitting...im having a baby! What a bunch of crap!!!

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