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July 2015 Moms
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Pregnant Nurses

maybebaby84maybebaby84 member
in July 2015 Moms
Any medical surgical nurses out there? I'm 32 weeks and it's a toss up as to if my floor is busy or not, but it's getting really hard for me. My shifts are 12 hours and I'm already exhausted to start with. I'm trying to decide when I should start my maternity leave. I had originally planned to work right up until my due date, but I'm still 2 months away and feeling the strain. When are you all planning to start your maternity leave?
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Re: Pregnant Nurses

  • theirbunmyoventheirbunmyoven member
    I'm a nurse but no longer in med surg. I think bedside nursing in general is tough when pregnant though. But I must say that working med surg was the hardest job I've ever had so you should feel very proud of yourself for making it even this far. Hopefully you're at least working day shift.?
    I work in lactation so not as demanding on my body as med surg but not as light as most people would imagine either. Lots of prolonged bending over which kills my back by end of shift and so many post partum rooms are HOT (or is it just me??) and of course waking up at 0430 when I never really slept well at all is killer.
    I'm a surrogate and would hate to burn my PTO on anything other than spending precious time with my family so, my body willing, I plan to work until delivery.
    Hopefully you're getting good foot rubs from your partner!!
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  • mrsjones1012mrsjones1012 member
    I can still hang moderately well. I work nights as an L&D nurse, so it's actually convenient in a lot of ways. My coworkers have my back and jump in to help me out often. I work with a lot of women my age who have kids so there's an understanding. So yes- I plan to continue working until I go into labor- hopefully AT work on a slow night ;)
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  • jjames2014jjames2014 member
    I'm a pediatric ED nurse we are always busy! My co-workers are awesome but we are always short staffed. I just went on leave with less than 30 days left until my July 1st c-section. I've had more contractions and am exhausted with a 23 month old at home and a fireman husband who is gone a lot. I'm enjoying my time with my little guy until his brother arrives. My hospital is pretty lenient with their leave policy so it's been nice. I'm a PRN employee so I'm not getting any pay while I'm off which is fine and makes the length of my leave more flexible. I'd listen to your body mama and do what's best for you and your growing family!
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  • ChristyM87ChristyM87 member
    I am an ER nurse and I am still doing ok with the long days and physical demands. I don't have any restrictions, but my boss had been assigning me to be in charge or in triage, both of which are lighter duty. Even when I am taking a patient assignment my coworkers are great about making sure that I get to eat
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  • mrsrep123mrsrep123 member
    I'm an adult ICU nurse and even though my coworkers were very good about not letting me pull up, turn, or do any heavy lifting, I didn't feel right being the "handicap" on the team. So I discussed this and my third trimester pangs with my OB, and she wrote me a modified duty letter only citing the AMA guidelines for pregnancy at 30 weeks. Now I'm still able to contribute to the unit, but not put anybody at risk for injury, especially my LO!

    DS1 7/24/15

    DS2 5/7/17

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  • akaniniakanini member
    I must say so heard to you for making it this far. I'm a visiting RN and I get so tired at times. I'm 35 weeks and I'm ready working up until the I deliver.
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  • akaniniakanini member
    akanini said:

    I must say CONGRATS to you for making it this far. I'm a visiting RN and I get so tired at times. I'm 35 weeks and I'm ready working up until the I deliver.



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  • maybebaby84maybebaby84 member
    I'm going to try to work as long as I can.
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  • hay1122hay1122 member
    With my first, I worked until 38 weeks on a cardio unit (same pace as Med/Surg).  I was really taking it one week at a time.  Before I stopped all together, I reduced my hours to 2x 12's a week.  I didn't end up going back to that job after DD was born.


    imageBaby Birthday Ticker Ticker
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  • kms248kms248 member
    I have been working 3, 12 hour night shifts in an adult ICU, but I just cut back to two night shifts a week at 33 weeks. Feels so good to not over do it! I think I'm going to go on leave at 38 weeks. I definitely would hate to go into labor during a night shift and be so much more exhausted to begin with during the start of labor....
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  • MariahstMariahst member
    I worked only till 28 weeks in LTC unit. 12 hour a day on concrete hospital floors was killing my back and I was put on a weight restriction on 20 lbs I could lift. I think the best advise here is listen to your body!:)
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  • NickritchNickritch member
    Adult icu. Unfortunately not all my coworkers have been supportive. My patient this weekend was 300 lbs and we were short. I still do a fair amount of pushing, pulling and turning. I will be going out at 36 weeks which is the earliest I can leave. I have a week or three 12 hour shifts left. My feet burn and my back and hips scream by the end of my 12 hours. Counting down the shifts.
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  • mrsrep123mrsrep123 member
    Nickritch said:

    Adult icu. Unfortunately not all my coworkers have been supportive. My patient this weekend was 300 lbs and we were short. I still do a fair amount of pushing, pulling and turning. I will be going out at 36 weeks which is the earliest I can leave. I have a week or three 12 hour shifts left. My feet burn and my back and hips scream by the end of my 12 hours. Counting down the shifts.

    @Nickritch hopefully no more 300 pounders this last week! Sucks your coworkers haven't all been supportive.

    DS1 7/24/15

    DS2 5/7/17

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  • stparrishstparrish member
    I'm 35.5 weeks and on Monday when I turn 36 weeks I think I'm going to ask to start my leave. I work nights in oncology and my patients are so sick and needy and I can barely walk anymore. I'm miserable. Nursing is so physically demanding... Wish I had more than three months leave.
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  • lindseyc1983lindseyc1983 member
    I'm 36 weeks and today started leave. ICU RN 3-12 hr shifts. My blood pressure got to be too high this week and docs said no more work for me and take it easy. 

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  • arcelyn312arcelyn312 member
    I work in nursery/couplet care and do 12 hr shift. I still push a transporter to catch baby in csection. I must say i started feeling the toughness when i reached 32-34 wks. Baby is getting really heavy. I have to carry tums in my pocket. Im due july 21, planning to take my leave on 7/8 but im still thinking if im able to go that far.. Goodluck to us!
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