Advice/Reassurance needed: Working while Pregnant with Twins?

Manada · April 2014

(I was going to write Multiples in the title, but honestly, I can't imagine the extra fatigue a triplet pregnancy would cause too).
*Disclaimer:   I don't know any MOMs in real life, and am getting super discouraged by the fact that I feel like the "norm" is a singleton pregnancy and sometimes my co-workers and peers just don't understand what it's like to be growing/changing in such different ways with a twin pregnancy - - so it's always a point of surprise/education/questions to need something other pregnant people here have been through without complaint so early on...

So at 12w5 days now I'm coming out of the 1st tri fatigue, which is good because I am relatively clear-headed until mid-afternoon without a nap and with lots of snacks - and my productivity is definitely improving.   But I'm still hitting the wall of fatigue by about 3:30 or 4pm, which makes the last couple of hours of my day just DRAG on.   I answer the phone and emails at my desk, and take drop-ins, but am otherwise out for the count when it comes to initiating or working on other projects.   Mostly I stare at the computer and try to resist closing the door and putting my head down.

It's hard enough now for me to make sure I get up and walk around every hour or so, and eat every few hours, and it's impractical for me to try to nap in the afternoon at work -- but by the end of the work-week after a bunch of days of pushing through to the end of the day I'm totally fried by Friday.    Do I need to start considering an adjusted work-day so I can nap in the afternoons and try to work from home in the evenings?   Or is there hope that this fatigue might lift entirely for a blessed few weeks until my body gets bigger and heavier?

Is this just how it goes? How do/did you arrange your work-days and schedules?

LittleLady77 · April 2014

Twin pregnancies are HARD. I worked until 36 weeks on a normal schedule but my "normal" includes working from home 1x a week. I had a little more energy for a few weeks in the beginning of the 2nd tri but that was it. I was pretty exhausted the whole time. Good luck in whatever you decide.

Manada · April 2014

thanks @LittleLady77 -- I'm re-reading my post as I shut down my computer for the day and realizing that maybe I'm just being a whiny mess today.... I dunno. I may have to also chat with my manager later on this week too about working from home a bit so I can rest more... That one day a week idea might be a good one though.

4legsRbest · April 2014

No, don't be hard on yourself! Being pg with 2 is no joke. I feel ya but I am such a freak feminist I don't show any signs of fatigue or other "weaknesses" as my male counterparts see them. I work in such a male dominated field this is out of pure self protection. I am 15w4d and finally feel better out of second tri but I am just waiting to cry uncle

If you can work something out, I think it is in your best interest to do so!! If i could, I would, in a heartbeat. I think you should take advantage of any flexibility offered to you. It may pay off in the long run.

loveblacklab · April 2014

You need to do what's best for you and your babies! I don't have the option of an adjusted day or going part time at this point, so DH and I decided that I will just stop working when I need to stop. Unfortunately that will mean switching health insurance to DH's since I carry ours and no pay for me after 10 weeks of being out. My doctor said she has no problem signing people out of work at 28 weeks with twins-it's hard!

I'm 25w3d and I feel like I got hit by a truck after going to work today!

oughtonk · April 2014

I started hitting a wall around 3 pretty early on too, my commute is at least an hour each way so my boss worked with me and let me work from home 2-3 times a week. I was put on modified bed rest last Friday so now all I can do is work from home.

I ended up having to set reminders for myself to get up and walk around because I was in such a daze half the time, I kept all kinds of snacks at my desk. It did get better early on in 2nd tri for me, I was much more alert and able to focus but definitely had days I zoned out and stared at the computer.

If your boss will let you be flexible and work from home and change up your hours definitely do it, it'll be easier on you and better for the babies in the long run. Good luck!

StacyH0507 · April 2014

I will be 34 weeks and I am still working full-time, it has been hard some days and now I feel completely done at this point. My last day of work on paperwork is April 30th but at my appointment last week I was 1cm and they told me to take it easy and I have a feeling if anything changes at my appointment tomorrow they will tell me no more work. I say take it easy and do what you can, I have pushed myself a few times and wish I didn't because I paid for it later with pains and hurting.

Jenn06L80 · April 2014

I worked full time - 4 ten hour days as a nurse practitioner until 34.3 weeks then went out and delivered at 36.3 weeks. This pregnancy was harder than my singleton, but I carry the benefits and make 80% of our household income. Therefore I worked until the doctors put me on disability.

Just do what you can. I would say from 15-23 weeks I felt good so hopefully you feel better soon!

Wishing35 · April 2014

I lasted at work until 32 weeks. I know some twin moms say they went right to the end so it all depends. I have to say I was totally exhausted about 70% of my pregnancy. Even when I stopped working I would sit on the couch and nap here and there. I was a FTM and so I had nothing to compare it too but other pregnant women didn't seem to be as tired as I was. Take it day by day, if you can adjust your schedule to work a few less hours that would be great. If not then just try to push yourself too hard. I used to go home after work, eat dinner and go to bed super early like 730-8, it helped a little.

SWA80 · April 2014

Since you're just finishing 1st tri, you'll hopefully feel better soon but it will get tougher toward the end. I worked full time until I was hospitalized at 32 weeks but the last few weeks were rough.

Lucasa2005 · April 2014

This sounds exactly like me. I'm 29 weeks with fraternal boys. I work as a nurse. My original goal was to work till the end of may/beginning of June. Now ill be happy if I make it thru April. I'm so sore and swollen

dal2aus · April 2014

Once you fully get out of 1st tri, like between 14w-16w, hopefully you'll get your energy burst. For me, some days are better than others. Like a PP said, I'm the type to try to suck it up and not show "weakness" in the workplace. I don't want to give anyone a reason to think that pregnancy is making me "soft", so my opinion is probably not popular. But...you may want to hold off before asking your boss for a flex schedule. You're proabably hiding your fatigue now better than you think, and you may want to save those favors when you'll really need it closer to 3rd tri.

Odebdo · April 2014

I am a CPA and we just rolled out of tax season thankfully....but it was hard pushing myself...granted, I did nothing hour wise like in the past...no 10+ hour days, no 60 hour weeks...I did work 6 days a week, but basically hit just under 50 hours most weeks, unless I was out for doctors appointments, then it was less.

I am now 28 weeks and I can feel another wall pushing at me...so not sure I will be logging a lot of hours, but I will stay working as much as I can, as long as I can, thankfully I have been here for 12 years and have a fairly understanding boss who is just SO thankful I made it through our busy time!

Definitely be kind to yourself...I worked and did nothing else...I came home and laid down all evening...I went to church on Sunday and maybe visited family, but work was all I could manage some weeks...other weeks I felt better so I would tackle some house stuff etc...but I just listened to my body.

CaliCarly77 · April 2014

I worked to 35 weeks at the office, then did a week of work at home, then delivered at 37.2

I have a desk job though so that helped. I also got a handicap placard so I wouldn't have to walk too much to and from the office. I also didn't really run errands, would just go home and rest. I cut back from about 55 hours per week to about 45, but I still had my second job teaching a class once a week and that was on my feet for four additional hours each week on Thursdays. I had them give me a high stool though for the last few weeks!

The first tri fatigue DID let up for me, but then I had insomnia from being so uncomfortable the last few weeks. Frankly I would stay at work later just because I was too lazy to get up and go home lol.

BeesKnees181 · April 2014

I am a FTM 35 weeks now with di/di girls. I still work full time. I bring home the larger portion of our household income and hold the current benefits, so I knew all along that I would try to work til the very end. And I have made some changes to my work schedule to accomodate how my body is changing. The second trimester was not too bad for me. I just had to eat a lot, and remember to move around throughout the day. Now, if I do not go on a walk at lunchtime I am worthless and in pain. My employer allows 3 hours/week devoted to fitness/wellness. I use that time to go to my prenatal yoga class and take 30 minute walks the other 4 days. I work from home one day/week (Fridays). This has been a huge blessing because I can wake up very early, start my day (in my pajamas), and be done before the afternoon lull.

I am not going to lie though, I am tired. When I get home from work, I take a nap. I have forfeited all cooking responsibilites to my hubby. Usually this time of year, my job is very active and involves travel. That has all been cleared from my plate (with the help of colleagues and my supervisor), and I am on desk duty. I miss the active part of my job, but I know that hiking up and down forested mountains is not in my best interest right now. I have told my supervisor all along that I want to work til the end, but that I know, logically, I can only take it one day at a time. My OB and midwife have offerred to write me out of work for the past 2 months. I am just the type of person that would get bored at home, and I would rathe rsave up my paid leave for when the girls are here.

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