Question to mamas still working

carpediem909 · March 2013

If you don't mind me asking... Why do you do for work and how physically demanding is your job? I am impressed by you troopers! I went on modified duty at 30 weeks and leave at 34 weeks bc I was way too exhausted. 12 hour shifts on my feet and 45 minute commute was too much for me. Am I just a wimp?! =

ettraud · March 2013

I have recently been promoted to Client Operations Manager at a regional CPA firm (I started in this role about a month and a half ago.) My day is generally spent sitting in my office, so no physical requirements for me. Some times I do work 10 hour days, which is killer. I have put myself on an alternate work schedule where I am working from home 2 days a week. It definitely helps. There is no way I think I could work 12 hours on my feet. My feet are swollen enough at the end of my work day that I just hobble to the parking garage... I am ready for this little guy to come!

ShadyKull · March 2013

I am a school psychologist, which does not require being on my feet for long periods of time. I know I would have a hard time if I had a job that required it. Whenever I happen to be on my feet for more than 15 minutes lately, my legs hurt and swell. Not fun!

tig594 · March 2013

I'm in HR so I have a desk job. If I had to be on my feel even for a half a day I think I'd die from back pain. Maybe if I was used to that I would be able to handle it better but who knows? My OB is not planning on taking me out of work until maybe a couple of days before my scheduled c-section, if I'm lucky. I could totally see her working me up to the day before, though. Maybe if I whine a little louder at my next appointment.....

carpediem909 · March 2013

my OB was kind of pushing for me to make it to 36 weeks, but i pretty much had to tell him that i was going on leave before that bc i got to a point where everyday after work i felt like i got hit by a bus. factor in the pain from pregnancy induced carpel tunnel and i was absolutely miserable! you guys are awesome for pushing through work still!!!

CageyMack · March 2013

Okay, troopers, I'm at work still, too. Bah! Yesterday was just plain crummy--I felt dizzy and had cramps for a couple hours which made me spacey and hardly useful. I did manage to get some key things done, but still . . .

That said, I'm a deskie; I sit on a yoga ball, which rocks. I wander around the office if I start to get uncomfy, and other than that not much excitement happens. I do have edema in my ankles and feet most of the day, but it's okay. Thankfully my rad office is in Hawaii so we are very casual; I have been wearing flip-flops and walking around barefoot. : ) So do all the non-pregnant people, too, so it works out.

I'll tell you what, though, another couple days like yesterday and I'm staying home once I hit 40 weeks, which is Monday.

runningyogimama · March 2013

I'm a lead teller at a (very understaffed) bank. Our drive-thru is one of those ones that has cameras instead of a window and isn't separate from the lobby, so I'm up and down and up and down and running around all day like crazy. Up until the end of November, I was a manager at Old Navy, but I just couldn't physically handle that job and being pregnant...I knew I wouldn't make it through the holiday season being on my feet constantly (since I was already so exhausted and in so much pain I was to the point of tears every day) and the crazy hours it entailed.

I woke up this morning thinking that I can't do this for 3 more weeks, but...DH just got a new job, and I don't plan on coming back to my current job after my maternity leave, so I need my insurance for as long as possible until DH's benefits kick in. Worst case scenario, we have to pay for a month of COBRA...that's motivating me to work through the exhaustion.

steph620 · March 2013

I'm still at work and I am on my feet all day too. But as of yesterday my OB said I cannot work more than 4 hour shifts a day due to her being on the small side. I thought she was going to put me on bedrest so at least I can still work a little. I wish I didn't have to but I also don't want to take leave yet because I want as much time as I can with her.

mhickey426 · March 2013

I am a guidance counselor in a high school. I do a lot of work at my desk but I am constantly "running" around. I am constantly walking the halls, going up stairs and standing in front of a class for 45 mins. It is exhausting not to mention mentally exhausting. I am doing it so I can make sure I get extra time home with my baby. By working until Fri means that I will get an extra 2 weeks leave on top of the 6 for medical disability. I am counting the seconds until 4pm Fri when I am finally done.

candreco · March 2013

Project management desk job. Generally, we do go on-site at industrial locations for design reviews and other stuff, but I stopped doing those after the first of the year, mostly because I didn't want to do the six hour plane ride out there if I didn't absolutely need to.

MRSBAURS · March 2013

I am 37 weeks and still at work. I am a high school science teacher and am on my feet A LOT! I have been trying to sit down more during class when students are working on practice activities. I am trying to work as long as possible because I will be taking the rest of the school year off. I don't have any swelling yet (knock on wood), but my back does hurt on a daily basis.

Crequito · March 2013

No need to be impressed by me. I work an 8-hour day at a desk job with minimal need to get up and walk the office (though I do when I start to get stiff at my desk and of course I'm up to pee every hour almost!). I take the train into work and walk about 1/2 a block to my office. DH drives me to the station and picks me up from the station every day and sometimes when he has to drive into work I'll ride along so I don't even have to walk that 1/2 a block! I have it pretty easy. Only hard part at 38 weeks is trying to concentrate and stay motivated at work when all I want to do is sleep or organize the house.

GeekyGirl79 · March 2013

I'm an assistant professor in research and data, and most of my work is done from a desk. I technically work four tens, but in reality I generally work from home on my day off and do some work on the weekends as well (unwritten rule at my institution: faculty generally work 50 hours a week). I agree with a previous poster that much of the difficulty of still being at work comes from stress from large projects. I've been fortunate to have a couple of really big opportunities come my way just in the last few months, and it is really bad timing! I'm trying to be better about working from home, saying no to projects that I won't be able to accomplish or handle to my usual standard, and getting used to the concept of being gone for 6 weeks.

amb04006 · March 2013

I'm a pharmacist, but luckily I get to sit down the majority of the day. I do work 10 hour shifts, though, with an hour commute each way.

watermellens · March 2013

I teach Kindergarten and am on my feet pretty much all day long. I have a class of 19 students and it's the most difficult class I've ever had. I am SO SPENT by the end of the day.

I'm working a full day today and 1/2 days the rest of the week. Then I'm done on Friday. I'll be 39 weeks Saturday.

kk1160 · March 2013

Showroom consultant/Interior Designer for a tile company. 9 hour days on my feet not including the commute (17 miles, but with traffic it's an hour drive either way). Majority of the time I assist indecisive customers in picking out tile, but we recently lost our boss to a rival company so we're super short-handed. I literally juggle 3 people's jobs... customer service rep, showroom, general go-get-this-for-me... it sucks. Thank God we have a buggy for these samples I have to grab... 20" tiles are no joke. Want a one-upper? I'm only taking 5 weeks off due to finances at home.

Stick to it girls! We're almost there!!

hoku82 · March 2013

I am not due until the very end of the month (the 31st) so i've got to work at least until the 15th (two weeks before due date), but i'm going to try to go another week or half week to finish some work tasks and organized stuff after that-especially in case the baby is late. I want to rest a little before going into labor...but I want as much time after the baby is born as possible...its tricky-I wish i knew exactly when he was coming so I could just give myself a few days off to rest before he comes. Just my luck he will come a week or two late and I will regret taking off so soon.

Anyway, I am a social worker/foster care case manager. Its not too physicaly strenuous but its emotionally/mentally stressful most of the time. I am sitting a lot either driving to visit my foster kids or doing documentation/paperwork at my desk, or waiting/testifying at court. However, last week i had to move some kids to a new foster home...I needed assistance because I just could not carry the kids and their carseats and all of their stuff...so I had to get help. My foster parents and birth parents have been considerate enough to help me out in carrying stuff and kids from my car when needed as well.

All my cases will be transferred to another case manager by the 15th so i'm spending the next week or two filling them in on the cases and doing joint visits with them so I can introduce my kids to them. I've been prepareing my kids for a while that I will be going on maternity leave soon but I still feel bad because turnover can be high and a lot of them already had multiple caseworkers before I got their cases...but at least i'm not leaving too suddenly or unexpectedly. I just really hope this baby does not decided to come more than 2 weeks early because the thought of my supervisor having to go through my disaster of a desk to find stuff stresses me out lol....i'm going to try to get things really organized this week just in case.

marchmay · March 2013

I work at Starbucks! But only about 25 hours a week... three 8 hour shifts M W F.

michalupo · March 2013

Working full time, but since it's all computer work, at 38 I called quits on commuting to the office and am now working from home for the last two weeks. On the couch and got my feet up on a pillow as I type

Kota26 · March 2013

I am an adjunct teacher so I am only on my feet for periods at a time before I wobble back to my office for some R&R. I plan to keep on going!

Andrea+David · March 2013

I work for the before and after school program with our local school district... I only work 3 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the evening but am on my feet that whole time while working plus being up and down doing different tasks... I lasted until 39 weeks, yesterday was my first day of leave... I just couldn't take it anymore plus my boss is NOT my favorite person so any extra time away from her is an added perk!!

doremi29 · March 2013

I'm a music teacher which means I'm spending my days up and down on the floors with kids, dancing, playing instruments (picture playing a guitar with a big belly in front lol), and generally having to be on my feet quite often.

This week I started taking 1 day off each week. I send DS to the sitters and just relax or get baby stuff together. I plan to work right up until the end, but we will see how it goes. Honestly, being home with DS is just as physically demanding if not more. He's on the GO!

ajdietz · March 2013

I ask myself the same question everyday. I am physician assistant at a busy endocrinology/diabetes clinic, and unfortunately am working up until 10 days before. That is if I make it that far. We work Mon Tues and THurs 9a-9p seeing about 15-22 patients a day. Starting at 28wks I did move my office downstairs from the second floor, but it def has been taxing lately. I just keep saying its ok Ill work here til I go into labor and head right over to the hospital. I would love to take more time off before but then that cuts into my time to stay home after baby is born. You are not a whimp. If I didnt have to support my family I def would not be working at this point in the game 36.5 wks.

ansack · March 2013

Just because you are now at home does not make you a wimp! Each pregnancy is different. I'm a nurse. 12 hour shifts, inpatient, children's hospital. Mostly on my feet but I do get some sit down time--all depends on the patients. Still working because I can and I hope all of the walking is helping me progress. I get tired, my back kills but other than that it's ok. 7 shifts left before my due date! Good luck and don't stress out about this! 38 weeks today.

lifewrite · March 2013

I'm a dog groomer and it's been horrible. Tomorrow is my last day thank goodness! The being on my feet all day isn't so bad compared to the lifting and carrying dogs around all day. Not to mention dealing with the dogs that don't want to be groomed and pull away. I finally asked my Dr. to put me on 5 hour days because I could barely walk when I got home. I'm very lucky though to have coworkers that understand my limits and are willing to help me out.

mes26 · March 2013

I am a RN, working the floor in a hospital. I work 8 and 12 hour shifts. We are constantly short staffed, my 12 hour shift last week I never got my lunch break. I do get to sit at times, but it's up and down, up and down. It's pretty physical, but I normally work out which I think helps. I worked over due last time, this time my hips are killing me but I've still been working. induction is this week at 39 weeks and haven't been happier to NOT be at work!

jennip68 · March 2013

I teach 2nd grade. This week is my last week.... but that's just because there is only 12 weeks of school left until summer. So, I'm taking the full FMLA leave and then it goes right into summer...so, I won't go back until the end of August.

There were several days I left work with swollen feet and ready to call it quits.... but when you have 23 8 year olds counting on you to teach them.... that's not an option!!

To each their own!

mlrafiki · March 2013

I'm an Art Director at a video game art contracting house, so it's a low-key desk job. I have the option to take a bus to the office from the train, but I'm still trying to walk the 1-mile distance as often as I can, just because I assume it's healthy for me and the baby. That said, I've been finding more and more excuses to eat lunch at my desk or take a shuttle to the train station! 3-4 weeks left!

Copperlilly818 · March 2013

Sit down office work, and I'm going out at 39 weeks. My plan was 40 weeks, but I just can't do it!

guilletskichuk · March 2013

Please don't feel like a wimp! (Because if you are one, then I am definitely one! lol)

I teach grade 6 but went on sick leave at 31 weeks. Baby dropped that weekend and I immediately started having intense symptoms of SPD. I just could not walk up and down the hallways and stand all day anymore. Thankfully I'm in Canada and have been able to take advantage of a generous sick leave. I won't be starting my maternity leave until the 17th.

carpediem909 · March 2013

ansack:
Just because you are now at home does not make you a wimp! Each pregnancy is different. I'm a nurse. 12 hour shifts, inpatient, children's hospital. Mostly on my feet but I do get some sit down time--all depends on the patients. Still working because I can and I hope all of the walking is helping me progress. I get tired, my back kills but other than that it's ok. 7 shifts left before my due date! Good luck and don't stress out about this! 38 weeks today.

i'm in the same boat, but i'm a cna and we hardly get to sit because the unit is sooo busy. i would get so swollen after 12 hours which made my carpel tunnel worse. = plus, three twelves in a row was torture!!!

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