Is it bad or how do I ask my Dr to write me off of work earlier than planned?

slezpass · January 2015

I am 37yrs old with my first pregnancy and havent really had any problems up until now...I work a lot (6-7days, 10-12hour shifts) and I will be 34 weeks on Thursday...I previously posted about the problems I'm having working but I wanted to know is it bad to ask to taken off work before 36weeks? I know I'm more fortunate than others that I am employed, but for the past 5-6months all this time on my feet and working has really taken a toll on me (i work in a rubber factory and my job is to use a propane flame to burn excess rubber off the parts that are molded and my work area is near a very volatile area with various chemicals and it catches fire a lot as well; not ideal conditions for a pregnant person to be around for great lengths of time). My Dr says at 36weeks he will write me off but I know my body can't take it anymore and I'm worried about the stress on the baby from working so much and being on my feet for these long periods of time. If I had weekends off and was able to rest up that prob wouldn't make my situation so bad but I don't have any time off. Since I was in L&D last week for evaluation my HR dept put me on unpaid personal leave until i see my Dr tomorrow morning. The time off seems to have let me chill but I'm in no way physically able to go back to being on my feet for 7days straight 10-12hours daily...I already get dizzy/naseaus, swelling, cramping, etc while at work...I'm not allowed to be put on any restrictions by my Dr if I want to work these last few weeks....what is the best approach to use with my Dr appt in the morning? Tbh I'm shocked I've been able to work this long...can anyone give me advice on what to do and how to bring this up at my appt in the morning? This stresses me out a lot....Thanks

mishka29 · January 2015

Wow, I wouldn't be able to do that job at any point! Sorry, no real advice.

dreemkin84 · January 2015

I don't think you should feel bad about it! Just tell your doc what you said here and I'm sure he/she would agree with you. Maybe you can cut back hours?? Sorry, I have no idea about this kind of thing.

DronkeyGal · January 2015

Be honest with your doctor and tell him/her what you just told us. I see nothing wrong with that. Good luck!

mommaa1615 · January 2015

Ughh sounds miserable. I would def speak up & say exactly what you did above. I'm sure your dr will understand & give you the time...GL!

slezpass · January 2015

I can't cut back my hours because that would be a "restriction" and I'm not allowed any if I want to try to work...I guess I'm just looking for advice on how to bring this up with my dr...my visits are sorta like a fast food drive-thru: he measures my belly, listens to the baby heartbeat and I'm out the door...I always have to ask about blood tests, etc when I'm at visits...

osumegs · January 2015

I agree with the others. Outline what is happening as in depth as you can with the doctor, giving specific examples. I run into these issues working fewer than four long shifts a week on my feet, so I can't imagine how you are physically handling it. My doctor came back (when I asked to leave at 37 weeks) with the response that "most women are capable of working until they deliver, so let's cross that bridge when we get there." Having specific examples really helped

tropicbreeze · January 2015

Tell your doctor how you feel. You are your own best advocate. I agree with PP, just bring it up and tell your OB your feelings on how you think your body is no longer able to do the job. Best of luck!

misshart00 · January 2015

Can I ask where you live?

But I agree with PP. Just bring it up with your doctor and tell him what you told us.

slezpass · January 2015

I live in Ohio

CogDis · January 2015

@misshart00‌ I think OP lives in Ohio (if I remember correctly) as I was shocked by her earlier posts about her workplace and their refusal to accommodate.

@slezpass‌ I agree that you should say to your doctor what you've said here. I've cried in front of a doctor once (as an adult) so I'm sure they've seen and heard it all. Don't be shy, as this really does sound like a terrible place to work while being as pregnant as you are.

Good luck!

rainbowbrite22 · January 2015

Your OB is there for you and baby. Just say what you told us and he should write you off.

Dani_Love · January 2015

I agree with pp's but seriously, 10-12 hour days every single day, that can't be legal can it? Do you get breaks? From your first post I thought you lived abroad. It just seems crazy that they can operate that way.

usmcwife89 · January 2015

I agree with everything PPs have stated.

Personally I would just tell my doctor I'm having trouble being able to make it through anymore. Cutting hours back for a couple more weeks is out of the question. I would then just ask to write me leave now please. Worst the doctor can say is no.

Also- working 10-12 hour days 6-7 days per week isn't legal I believe. (Someone correct me) I believe after so many days you need a specific number off. I would be finding a new job for after birth and possibly checking into those labor laws.

slezpass · January 2015

It IS legal and our Union at work also allows them to work us like that. I do plan on finding new work post baby but I need my insurance while I'm pregnant. We were just bought by a Japanese company and they don't want us working so much but until they fully take over (in March) current bosses plan to continue on working us like they do. The car manufacturing business is crazy and my dept works on a Canadian schedule so just because the USA has holidays/time off we don't necessarily because of working hand in hand with Canada. It's all quite crazy, and like I said previously I'm shocked I've been able to work so long as far along as I am...I don't qualify for FMLA or Vacation until April 1st so I'm lucky I have been allowed unpaid personal leave for now...I can't keep calling off/leaving early though...I really hope my Dr will listen to me in the morning and write me off work...I'm scared of what will happen if he tries to put me on restriction because HR said "NO RESTRICTIONS"...Ultimately I'm scared I'll lose my job and that's why I wish my Dr would just write me off...that way I can keep my job and insurance....

slezpass · January 2015

I get 3 ten minute breaks and a 20min lunch....

usmcwife89 · January 2015

I'm sorry you're dealing with this. I don't have much else to add about your work. I know there was a lot of good advice when you posted about all this last time. I hope it works out in your favor and that things get better for you.

slezpass · January 2015

Yes I get paid crazy OT but then I get taxed like mad so it makes it almost pointless to work OT at times but I have no choice. The new owners implemented a raise as of Jan 1 & on my year date April 1 (if I make it) I will receive an annual raise and weeks vacation as well yet the company dictates my week of vacation because of summer shut down. Yet last summer my dept didn't get a shut down even though other depts did (because of Canada). We are damn lucky to even have our crappy union because the company would work us crazier hours at way lower pay if it wasn't for our Union as undermining and useless they are. I try to tell my co-workers "no one should have to work all these hours and it isn't/shouldn't be the norm or exceptable" but my co-workers just do it. My first month at the company I worked almost 30days in a row. Working these hours for months at a time is nothing new at this company and pre-pregnancy I could do it, at 34weeks not so much. I've worked like this for my entire pregnancy and it's finally taken a toll on me and I hope my Dr will allow me to go on leave early. I know I can't work like I used to and when I am at work I get soooo sick and can barely function when I get home. I'm also 37, but I look/act younger and to look at me I don't look pregnant, just fat so my bosses haven't really taken me serious about my pregnancy even though I keep telling them I will be off work in a few weeks. My body is telling me to stop it can't take it anymore, I just hope my Dr agrees in the morning.

Thanks for all your advice and support...I will let you all know what happens in the morning after my Dr appt. Ater the appt I'm supposed to meet with my HR. I'm trying to sleep right now but this all has me just too stressed out.

scgmama · January 2015

Oh my gosh that sounds awful!! Ultimately you need to listen to your body and make sure your doctor know that you can't take it anymore. My doctor was willing to write a note if need be to make my employers legally responsible if anything happened to me (long hours on my feet with no breaks). I'm really hoping yours will be as accommodating. Try not to stress and GL; I'm sorry you've had to go through this.

lailou · January 2015

It sounds like your body is telling you to stop!! In which case I think that's all you need to stop working as soon as possible.

I definitely take my hat off to you, sounds tough.

Take the extra time off work, put your feet up, have cake and watch junk tv. You deserve it.

karisheep544 · January 2015

Sounds awful! Good for you for going this long working like that! Don't be nervous talking to your OB, if your body is telling you to stop, you need to listen. Make sure that your dr takes the extra time to talk with you about it. You may want to call today and leave a note for them so it can be put in your file and talk about leave. Maybe your doctor can just have it done ahead of time.
Best of luck!!

MommyOfAMiracle · January 2015

Just tell your doctor why you feel you'd like to leave a week early. Most of the time, you fill out the paper work and they just sign it. I requested to leave a week before my due date. And it worked! Nothing wrong with asking, the worst he can say is no, but with your situation, I don't see why he/ she would! Good luck!

slezpass · January 2015

My Dr told today me he can't write me off legally until 36weeks...so he put me on a restriction of mandatory 15min breaks every two hours and said my HR dept can decide if they want me to work or not...My Dr did say at my next appt (1/23) he will write me off for my leave though so I just have to work about 9 more days then I am off. My HR was ok with that restriction and when I asked what time I should start tonight she said "9pm or 11pm, it's up to you and if anyone has a problem with when you show up they can come speak to me and i will make sure all the team leaders know about your extra breaks"...I was shocked at that response yet happy...For some reason though HR thought I was due in May and I said no "I'm due next month" and I think that had a lot do with how today went as well...so hopefully I can make it through these next 9 days and then just relax and prepare for the baby...I'm def putting in a shift request tho to switch to days if I decide to return after the baby...I'm currently on midnights....

Thanks again for everyone's advice! I really appreciate it...this is my first pregnancy and I'm nervous and scared and excited...I hope I'm not too much drama on this board...I appreciate everyone's feedback since most of you have "been there, done that" and this is my first time...

tropicbreeze · January 2015

So glad to hear that you had such good success today!

ajareiny · January 2015

I'm am late to this thread, and hearing your story made me tear up! You are a superwoman for working those hours this far! You deserve a friggin break. I wish I was there to buy you some ice cream and a foot massage. I am so happy and relieved that your HR responded like humans and not evil robots when you told them your Drs recs. congrats! You got this!

marie366 · January 2015

Glad to hear HR was ok because I thought if you are medically written restrictions, employers had to follow. I understand 12hr shifts since I work them...but not like your position. Some days I don't get a break at all, but can luckily eat something quick. Take care of yourself!

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