Work with no breaks?

rdwest77 · September 2015

Like most moms to be out there I have a busy schedule. I work two jobs currently and I am 7 weeks.
I am a server during the day, working 8hours.
And then in the evenings I run a dog grooming shop and work as a groomer for 5hours.
At my serving job though, we are not given breaks. So although I of course eat on shift, if it's busy I might be on my feet for a full 8 hours, and then I go home and can sit for about a half hour before starting on the other job.
My employer knows I'm pregnant and knows how tired I am, but since they don't have kids don't seem to really understand, and keep asking more of me, so I'm very grumpy, sometimes stressed, and tired at work.
In total I work between 60-75 hours a week.
I'm wondering if this is bad for baby and if i should get a doctors note saying I need breaks? Or if I'm able to work through the tiredness with no harm to my little one.
The only thing I could find online is that there is a possibility that long hours can affect the growth rate of baby.

MamaRoni · September 2015

As an employer.... and a pregnant chick.... unless you are having complications.... there's no medical reason for a break. It won't hurt your baby and actually staying active is good for you. It would be kinda a huge step backwards for women everywhere if we all said... "I'm pregnant... I can't do much." I work full time... have 4 kids... and another one on the way. my days start at 6am and I usually crawl into bed by 11:30-12 each night. Your baby will get what it needs from you... just eat well and drink well.
as far as the grooming business.... I'd probably enforce rules that all must have vaccines and such. Not that it's a big issue at all but u need to be healthY.

Good luck! Your energy should pick up soon

rdwest77 · September 2015

I just wanted to clarify that is is illegal for employers not to give breaks lol. We don't get 15s or lunches.

saladflambe · September 2015

rdwest77 said:

I just wanted to clarify that is is illegal for employers not to give breaks lol. We don't get 15s or lunches.

I was about to say - 8 hours with no breaks is illegal and bad for anyone, not just pregnant ladies.

DrillSergeantCat · September 2015

saladflambe said:

rdwest77 said:

I just wanted to clarify that is is illegal for employers not to give breaks lol. We don't get 15s or lunches.

I was about to say - 8 hours with no breaks is illegal and bad for anyone, not just pregnant ladies.

That's not true, at least on the Federal level. The US Dept of Labor's Fair Labor Standards Act does not require breaks of any kind. https://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/workhours/breaks.htm

soxfan9968 · September 2015

You need to listen to your body. I experienced a mc last year and I feel I caused it from over working myself. Teaching 5 days a week from 7am-3:30pm, tutoring from 4pm-8pm 4 days a week, prepping lessons and grading papers from 9pm-2am. It made me skip meals, I ran on caffeine (didn't know I was pregnant yet), missed sleep and felt exhausted all the time so I'd end up with headaches and again I'd take aspirin like candy because I still didn't know I was pregnant. Doc recommended I take it easier on myself if I wanted to try again. I think every woman reacts differently to pregnancy so you need to listen to what your body is telling you.

misstopsail · September 2015

rdwest77 said:
I just wanted to clarify that is is illegal for employers not to give breaks lol. We don't get 15s or lunches.

If you think your employer is breaking the law (which is decided by your state), then you should speak up. But generally, the only thing legally required is a 30 minute dinner break (unpaid). You should review your states rules on this, and then have a talk with your manager... You shouldn't need a doctors note for anything legally required by your state.

DrillSergeantCat · September 2015

@rdwest77 what state are you in?

soxfan9968 · September 2015

Thanks @BostonTerrior2008 I don't necessarily mean working caused it. I mean I focused so much on work I ignored my body telling me I needed rest, food, etc. Just think it's important to listen to your body when it says "I'm not ok"

TheBorg7of9 · September 2015

soxfan9968 said:
You need to listen to your body. I experienced a mc last year and I feel I caused it from over working myself. Teaching 5 days a week from 7am-3:30pm, tutoring from 4pm-8pm 4 days a week, prepping lessons and grading papers from 9pm-2am. It made me skip meals, I ran on caffeine (didn't know I was pregnant yet), missed sleep and felt exhausted all the time so I'd end up with headaches and again I'd take aspirin like candy because I still didn't know I was pregnant. Doc recommended I take it easier on myself if I wanted to try again. I think every woman reacts differently to pregnancy so you need to listen to what your body is telling you.

The great majority of miscarriages are caused by chromosomal abnormalities. Please stop blaming yourself for your miscarriage.

QueenWaldorf5 · September 2015

TheBorg7of9 said:

soxfan9968 said:
You need to listen to your body. I experienced a mc last year and I feel I caused it from over working myself. Teaching 5 days a week from 7am-3:30pm, tutoring from 4pm-8pm 4 days a week, prepping lessons and grading papers from 9pm-2am. It made me skip meals, I ran on caffeine (didn't know I was pregnant yet), missed sleep and felt exhausted all the time so I'd end up with headaches and again I'd take aspirin like candy because I still didn't know I was pregnant. Doc recommended I take it easier on myself if I wanted to try again. I think every woman reacts differently to pregnancy so you need to listen to what your body is telling you.
The great majority of miscarriages are caused by chromosomal abnormalities. Please stop blaming yourself for your miscarriage.

@TheBorg7of9 my love for you grows with every post :x

BeckaTTC4478 · September 2015

I live in Canada. We are required to have two 15 min breaks and a 30 minute lunch break in an 8 hour shift.
I spoke with my doctor yesterday and she stated that it is in no way okay for any pregnant woman to be on her feet for 8 hours with no breaks. Studies have shown although it doesn't affect birth, it can affect the growth and the blow flow/nutrients that get to the baby.
Working is fine, of course, but listening to your body and taking breaks that EVERY employee is entitled to is important. (I understand that in the U.S. Your laws are different, but this is how it works in Canada and my employer is indeed breaking the law.
A lot of you seem very very condescending, and I don't appreciate it at all. I wasn't asking anyone to judge me and have hidden undertones judging me as lazy.
I think I will be deleting this app, but I suggest all of you check with your doctors regarding your schedules (if you're working an 8 hour day with no breaks and going home, fine, but a 14 hour day with no breaks? Have you not heard of burn out? Stress?)
This is probably hormones talking, but perhaps the condescending commenters should be a little kinder with their responses.
I am a hard working person and was not looking for an easy way out, I am simply looking out for the well being of my little one.

DrillSergeantCat · September 2015

BeckaTTC4478 said:

I live in Canada. We are required to have two 15 min breaks and a 30 minute lunch break in an 8 hour shift. I spoke with my doctor yesterday and she stated that it is in no way okay for any pregnant woman to be on her feet for 8 hours with no breaks. Studies have shown although it doesn't affect birth, it can affect the growth and the blow flow/nutrients that get to the baby. Working is fine, of course, but listening to your body and taking breaks that EVERY employee is entitled to is important. (I understand that in the U.S. Your laws are different, but this is how it works in Canada and my employer is indeed breaking the law. A lot of you seem very very condescending, and I don't appreciate it at all. I wasn't asking anyone to judge me and have hidden undertones judging me as lazy. I think I will be deleting this app, but I suggest all of you check with your doctors regarding your schedules (if you're working an 8 hour day with no breaks and going home, fine, but a 14 hour day with no breaks? Have you not heard of burn out? Stress?) This is probably hormones talking, but perhaps the condescending commenters should be a little kinder with their responses. I am a hard working person and was not looking for an easy way out, I am simply looking out for the well being of my little one.

There wasn't a single condescending comment here. Are you even the OP?

fourtsixand2 · September 2015

I had to google this. The US Department of Labor actually does not require that breaks (or lunch - imagine that) of its employees.

That being said, I have never worked anywhere that a break was not given. When I was working part time retail, I worked 8 hours and received two 15 minutes breaks and a 30 minute lunch. If I was only working 4 or 5 hours, I received a 15 minute break.

I know it's difficult for anyone, regardless of the line of work you're in, to just "find another job" and, in your current state, it would be difficult to find another job willing to take on an employee who is going to require extensive time off for maternity leave.

I would sit down and have a genuine heart-to-heart with them and explain what you are going through, and the effects that too much stress can have on the baby.

If for some ungodly reason they don't seem to understand that and appreciate what you're saying, you're better off saying goodbye.

fourtsixand2 · September 2015

This is very confusing.......you haven't previuosly commented on this thread, so how was anyone disrespectful or condescending to you?

DrillSergeantCat · September 2015

BostonTerrior2008 said:

------quote fail-------- No the OP is not this person, unless rdwest77 is also BeckaTTC4478 No one was condescending, nothing bad was said.

I wasn't sure if becka was a re-reg.

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