How long should RNs expect to work with twins?

ash8684113 · July 2015

Hi everyone! I am a Nicu nurse expecting twins, currently 18 weeks along. Was wondering if how long everyone is planning on working or when you did go out of work with twins!

My first ob told me when ever my body told me it was time and now last week another ob told me 28 weeks!! I have read 28 weeks in a few different books but wanted to see what other ladies, especially nurses made it to. The health of these 2 boys is the most important thing to me!!

Thanks in advance everyone

blsav23 · July 2015

I am a med-surg RN, currently 24w3d with twins. So far, I feel ok working my 3 12 hr shifts/week but am starting to feel my days are numbered. I am super sore by the end of my shift & often don't sleep well that night due to back pain. My OB told me he'd write me out of work whenever I'm ready. I can also do light duty (I.e. Sit at the telemetry desk) so I'm not completely out of work, if needed. I'm trying to push it so I don't eat up my FMLA before the babies are born but, as my OB said, keeping the babies in as long as possible is most important. My OB also said he's never seen a twin pregnancy work past 32 weeks.
I think it's just important to listen to your body. As nurses, we tend to push ourselves beyond our limits & now is not the time to do that. If you are really feeling like you can't work any longer, push for your OB to take you out, or maybe try to see if there is a light duty option for you. Nursing is no joke not being pregnant, let alone with twins. I think we have much to be proud of!
I am also curious to others experiences...

blsav23 · July 2015

I am also having two boys ☺️ Yay!!

BabyD316 · July 2015

I am a respiratory therapist and stopped at 29 weeks. But I work prn. You can make it to full term if you listen to your body. I am 32 weeks and 4 days with two boys with no signs of them coming any time soon. My aunt was induced with her twins 3 years ago at 39 weeks and she worked as a Physical therapy assistant up until the day she delivered. Everyone is different. Just do what you feel is best.

DrD30 · July 2015

I'm a senior surgical resident. I did full 24 hour call until 27 weeks and worked until 35 weeks including full OR days wearing lead aprons. I felt pretty good until the very end but was very fit before pregnancy. I definitely knew it was time to stop. My babes came at 35+3 despite no sign of coming early.

honigbiene · July 2015

I don't currently work in a NICU, but I did at one time, for about 6 years.
A few things to remember...as a nurse, you have trained your body over the years to ignore all the signs your body is screaming at you to listen to. Nurses develop "bingo bladder" because they hold their urine urges until their bladders stretch beyond what is healthy. We ignore plummeting blood sugars because we haven't eaten for 8 hours but just don't "have time" to grab a bite. We ignore aches and pains every time we lift/roll a patient or our legs are swollen to 2+ edema because we've been on our feet so long.

Also, although the NICU isn't as PHYSICALLY demanding as some of the floors that are constantly lifting 100+ pound patients, it is very emotionally demanding and stressful. Those constant alarms ringing going, and there's always that one baby on the unit who has everyone running their butts off and sweat dripping from foreheads!! Stress= bad news in regards to pregnancy.

And I don't know if it's the same at your hospital, but at my hospital- the L/D/Nicu nurses always seem to come out with the worst complications! Maybe it's just anecdotal, or maybe it's related to the high stress/intensity level of our unit.

To sum it up.....PLEASE err on the side of stopping work sooner than you think you need to.

Congrats on your twins, and best of luck working it out with your job!

blsav23 · July 2015

honigbiene said:
I don't currently work in a NICU, but I did at one time, for about 6 years.
A few things to remember...as a nurse, you have trained your body over the years to ignore all the signs your body is screaming at you to listen to. Nurses develop "bingo bladder" because they hold their urine urges until their bladders stretch beyond what is healthy. We ignore plummeting blood sugars because we haven't eaten for 8 hours but just don't "have time" to grab a bite. We ignore aches and pains every time we lift/roll a patient or our legs are swollen to 2+ edema because we've been on our feet so long.

Also, although the NICU isn't as PHYSICALLY demanding as some of the floors that are constantly lifting 100+ pound patients, it is very emotionally demanding and stressful. Those constant alarms ringing going, and there's always that one baby on the unit who has everyone running their butts off and sweat dripping from foreheads!! Stress= bad news in regards to pregnancy.

And I don't know if it's the same at your hospital, but at my hospital- the L/D/Nicu nurses always seem to come out with the worst complications! Maybe it's just anecdotal, or maybe it's related to the high stress/intensity level of our unit.

To sum it up.....PLEASE err on the side of stopping work sooner than you think you need to.

Congrats on your twins, and best of luck working it out with your job!

Great advice! My OB even said, "You are a nurse & will inherently push yourself further than you should". He told me I must force myself to sit when I can & force 8oz of water every 2 hours, even if it's chugging a glass in the nutrition room. Every appt, he asks me if I'm done working yet. It's most important to listen to our bodies. Our babies are #1 right now!

KDR1979 · August 2015

I worked full time until 26 weeks, dropped to part time for 4 weeks. I was put on bedrest at 30 weeks for a growth discordance and delivered at 36 weeks.

By 32 weeks, I felt like I could barely move. I will never know if it was b/c I had been on bedrest for 2 weeks or if I really grew so much in those 2 weeks!

Birthinrox · August 2015

My OB recommended I stay active but also limit "physical and emotional stress". I did 24 hour call during my first trimester, now I am 22 weeks and just don't feel like I can work 12s anymore. He was fine with writing me a note to work 8s. I worked my first 8 on Saturday and barely made it. I came home and collapsed on the couch. Unfortunately my NM is refusing to accommodate my 8 hour shifts (even though we are short 2-4 nurses every shift from now until the end of August)! Since I'm per diem I have no choice-work 12s or quit.

coopmke · August 2015

I went out at 26 weeks.... But I was having intense gall bladder attacks and hospitalized with influenza a & b. I did, however, feel miserable and faint at work all the time prior to that due to hyperemesis! Twin pregnancy is no joke when your on your feet for 12-14 hours!

How long should RNs expect to work with twins?

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