Teachers: Would you go with your class on a field trip at 33 weeks?

lnyeager · April 2012

For the last few weeks, I have been feeling pelvic pressure and some cramping when I get home from work. My OB said I am carrying low and I need to lay down for 1-2 hours when I feel this way. As long as the feeling goes away, it is fine, it just means I am overdoing myself. He said I should try to stay off my feet as much as possible. I teach 3rd grade and I try to sit as much as I can but there's alot of walking around the room, standing while I teach, walking down the hallways, etc.

We have a field trip coming on on April 18th to the planetarium. It will be about a 45 min. bus ride then a good 2 hours of walking through exhibits, followed by a 45 min. bus ride back to school.

I'm the one that coordinated the field trip and I would feel awful not going (and making a sub deal with my kiddos on a field trip day!) I have an appointment with my OB on Thursday so I will ask her opinion. What are your thoughts?

CarolynandMatt · April 2012

I'm going on a FT with my kids at 36 weeks...maybe it's a bad idea, but I've been planning it since September and no one else can take my place!

Here's a suggestion though: could you drive your own car down instead of riding the bus? It doesn't solve your whole problem, but at least it gives you some flexibility.

Also, are any other teachers coming with you, or is it just you and parent chaperones? If at least one other teacher comes, then if you get to the planetarium and simply can't walk around, the other teacher can be prepared to "take over" and lead the parents and kids around while you wait in the lobby or wherever.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

cchill01 · April 2012

I would probably go if there were other teachers, chaperones going. And don't be embarassed to sit down.

OR...you could have a contest in the classroom....who ever gets the most "helper points" in the next few weeks gets to push you around in a wheel chair ; ).

lnyeager · April 2012

Good point. Yes, all of the 3rd grade classes are going (there are 6 sections of 3rd grade). We also have to bring every chaperone who volunteers so I have TEN parents going! (crazy chaperone policy in my district). Thanks for your advice

ncjulia12 · April 2012

CarolynandMatt:
Here's a suggestion though: could you drive your own car down instead of riding the bus? It doesn't solve your whole problem, but at least it gives you some flexibility.

This is a good idea.

I've been on several field trips over the past couple weeks, but after the last long bus ride, I decided that is definitely my last bus trip. It was hard to get comfortable and it made me nervous knowing that, if there was an emergency and I needed to get to a hospital or something, the bus was the only transportation.

Is it just your class or are there other classes and teachers going? If there are other teachers or if you have a really good teacher assistant you trust going, the sub should be fine. (Especially if it's one that knows your kids and the other teachers.)

If it's just your class and you decide not to go, maybe ask one of the other 3rd grade teachers (or a second grade or other grade teacher that knows your kids) if they would be your the teacher for your class on the field trip and then you could cover her class.

I'll be interested to hear what your ob says. If you were feeling fine, I don't think it would really be an issue, but since you've had some pressure/cramping and been told to rest, it might be better to err on the side of caution. I know you would hate to miss a field trip you planned but if you or your ob thinks it would be better to stay, it's better to be safe than sorry! If your students are with another teacher you trust, you'll feel better than going on the trip and then worrying about yourself and baby.

jamiah18 · April 2012

I'm not going on my trip. It's a 2.5 hour bus ride and a walking tour of a city. There is another teacher in my building wiling to go because her son is in my class and I'll be her substitute teacher that day.

WhitMN24 · April 2012

I've planned a field trip to the Met for 36 weeks...we'll see how that works out! I'm going and will make sure to have plenty of chaperones in case I need to take a break. I have awesome, cooperative kids, so I'm not worried. Be sure to have plenty of helpers and sneak in snacks and water!

jesscullen · April 2012

I will be 34 weeks when we go to the zoo. Ugh. I actually was 4cm dialated and in labor with a breech baby at 34 with my last and went on bed rest --so I am really nervous. I am just going to play it by ear.

I would be nervous if I was already having some contractions or crampy feelings.

fribu · April 2012

lnyeager:
Good point. Yes, all of the 3rd grade classes are going (there are 6 sections of 3rd grade). We also have to bring every chaperone who volunteers so I have TEN parents going! (crazy chaperone policy in my district). Thanks for your advice

You should set yourself up with the kiddo's who are the most easy going and well behaved .

cyndilloowho · April 2012

I have a field trip planned for 38 weeks. I have not really thought about me not going but it is only a 15 min bus ride and then I never give myself a group of kids so that I could handle emergencies. I guess I will just how I feel at that point.

Horsey322 · April 2012

Not me. I'm 30 weeks and already feel I'm overdoing it

geauxfrogs · April 2012

I went at 30+ weeks to a play with 130 8th graders when I was pregnant with DD. I did take my own car like pp suggested. I had an appointment that afternoon, it was the one time that pregnancy that my bp was high. They had me stay and lay on my side until it came down.

ac212000 · April 2012

I would not. I am almost 31 weeks and I feel like I over-do it most days just being at school.

diehld@uindy.edu · April 2012

I really think you should get the wheel chair... But still go... plus its the planetaium... isn't there a sit down time? For at least a little while to look at the stars??? Then again I love outter space and wouldn't pass it up for the world!

RookieBride · April 2012

I would play it by ear. I'm 30 weeks and have been on two trips in the past week. The first one was a lot. We went to a science exhibit in times square, bus on the way there and train back. It was too much, lots of walking and had to wait too long to eat. I was exhausted and my feet were killing me. The second trip was fine. Just be careful and take care of yourself and your lo. As teachers we tend to push ourselves for our students, make sure to put your health first.

lnyeager · April 2012

Thanks for all the advice, everyone! The whole field trip is walking around visiting various exhibits (not watching a star show or anything relaxing like that) and we have to stay together as a class the entire time (so I won't be splitting my kids into groups with the chaperones...hence the ridiculousness of our school policy of allowing all volunteers to come even when it is COMPLETELY unnecessary, but anyway...) I also have GD, so I'd have to figure out the whole snack/lunch/testing schedule for the day. We'll see.

I'll talk to my doctor about it on Thursday to see what she says. I guess it all comes down to us listening to our bodies.

akayf · April 2012

Hi! Visiting from the June 2011 board...clicked on the wrong board! I'm a special ed preschool teacher in an inclusion preschool program. I provide in class support in four 3 year old preschool classrooms. Each class had trips planned in May last year. 1 class was going to a farm. The other 3 were going to the zoo...all on different days. Trips with 3 years is tiring even when you're not PG!!!!!

I asked about driving my own car and was told no. My co-teachers decided on their own that they didn't want me on their trips. The zoo that we go to is very hilly and it's a lot of walking. The farm didn't require a lot of walking but the teacher thought it was best for me to stay at school. My principal and VP were very happy that they all decided that they didn't need my help on the trips.

BTW-my due date was June 23 and I was supposed to stop work after Memorial Day weekend. I wound up getting pulled out of work a week earlier due to blood pressure issues.

Good luck to all of you!

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Teachers: Would you go with your class on a field trip at 33 weeks?

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