Working Moms Check in 6/20/16

chavezrd2 · June 2016

How are you guys surviving? I did good and got out of the house on time but had to sip on a cold drink on the way in, kept getting very sleepy and tired. Now at my desk I have no energy to do very much. How do we get thru the 3rd trimester like this?? I remember it got harder last time at this point but man I forgot how quickly it hits! Any tips on focus? Energy?

mrsvoorhees-2 · June 2016

I am now texting my husband daily during the work week, "let's both just quit our jobs and live off the land." We wouldn't make it a week haha! I keep feeling like September is so close because for some reason it's in my head that it comes after July? Freaking August, ruining it for everyone.

Sarafuss · June 2016

I am so over it (working). I'm exhausted and totally unmotivated. I'm really hoping to find a part-time position somewhere (can't afford to stay home full time) after maternity leave. I've always enjoyed my job and working in general but I'm so burned out.

UnwritteN12 · June 2016

Yes to being over it. I find myself having to be careful not to fall asleep at my desk (I've gone as far to tell a good friend of mine "If you hear snoring, just smack me..."). And I'm certainly uncomfortable (dressing like an adult sucks). Not to mention I've been keeping our house between 66 and 68 degrees (I'm going to hate our electric bill but, if I'm too warm, I'm going to hurt someone) and my office keeps it around 74 and my pregnant self definitely feels the difference!
I have no tips for focus (because I have ZERO - hence being on here). I have noticed that sipping on cold ice water is helping (at least a bit) to keep me awake throughout the day. I've got a huge Bubba mug at my desk that I fill a couple times a day.

AMT1107 · June 2016

@MrsVoorhees I keep skipping August in my head too, it's such a bummer when I realize it's there

I think partly because I will go out on maternity leave on 08/12 so really I only have to get through June and July of work. I work in NJ, so they give us the 4 weeks prior to the EDD, it's a use it or lose it deal and it's paid so, hurry up 08/12!!!

Work has been tough, it stinks to sit at a desk all day but I can't complain too much, I work from home 4/5 days a week, so at lunch (we get an hour) I take a nice nap and it seems to help a little.

Downside to working from home... the fridge is right upstairs!

JennM205 · June 2016

I'm in the same boat - finding it harder and harder to stay motivated and energized at work. I'm feeling a lot like PP's - burnt out! Every workplace has its drama but I feel like it somehow becomes less tolerable when pregnant. Perhaps because I feel like I have something more important that should be occupying my attention and time? Or maybe because there's an end in sight (Maternity Leave) it's more of a tease? Or maybe because my patience is just waning thin in general?

Meanwhile, the fatigue is not helping! Before being pregnant, I woke up at 5:55am. In the last few months, I've been stretching it until 6:20/6:30ish. Today, I simply could not find the energy to get out of bed until after 7am. Even with the extra rest, I'm sitting here all droopy-eyed! It's definitely a caffeine day...but I have to hold out until at least lunchtime!

On a good note - I'm starting to think about / have conversations with my team and boss about what my last couple of weeks will look like. It's stuff we've discussed before but just in passing...now we're getting nearer to the point where a real plan needs to be set in place and that's kind of exciting!!

0SeaMonkey0 · June 2016

I'm not having energy issues, but I'm definitely unmotivated. I've only got 5 weeks left before I'm off for a year so It's really hard to care about things happening at work since almost anything big that comes up at this point is ultimately going to be someone else's problem.

I do find it's getting more and more uncomfortable to sit at my desk all day. I have been getting up and walking a lot more lately which seems to help. Sometimes I can't even think of an excuse to go get something so I just do laps. Last time I had a lot more lower back pain from sitting all the time and putting a box under by desk to raise my feet helped a lot!

nativetexan512 · June 2016

100% relate. I bring "fun" snacks to work every day to try to break up the monotony, but it's hard. I don't struggle with energy at work, but I am dead after work. I have to make sure laundry, errands, cleaning, cooking, etc. are done on the weekends when I can get more sleep and nap because nothing is getting done after work.

Kimmy717 · June 2016

THE STRUGGLE IS REAL!!!!!! Ugh, i try to find something to laugh about to help wake me up or keep me going. the endorphin's are nice... if it gets too bad i go get DD iced coffee, 99 cents after 1400. Yes sue me!

CRich15 · June 2016

I just can't even anymore... I am switching to a new position after the 4th so I will be learning that new position and now I'm not too sure if that was a smart move on my part because I will only be in that position for 2 months then I'm off for the rest of the year on maternity leave. My energy has suddenly disappeared again when I need it more than ever and OMG when did just breathing become uncomfortable. The thought of having 12-13 weeks left of this makes me want to cry and the heat is just awful!!

hey_clever_girl · June 2016

I'm unmotivated, distracted, tired. Heavy. Fat. Want a nap. Want to eat all the things. I love my job & my company, but I am ready for this baby to come.

vampirina · June 2016

You know that part in The Office when Pam is pregnant with her second child and she's all like "the third trimester is like senior spring.... yesterday I spit my gum on the carpet."

I'm feeling a bit like that.

Except I have a lot to do at work with lots of tight deadlines, so I can't really afford to feel like that.

vampirina · June 2016

Also, the only thing I like about work right now is the sweet sweet air conditioning. Our air conditioning at home sucks balls, so at least I got that.

nanibrooks15 · June 2016

Glad I'm not the only one counting the weeks until maternity leave, which seems eons away for me. We're on a 4-10 summer schedule which was difficult before I was pregnant and now it's downright brutal. It's not so much my energy as it is my lack of focus after 6 hours. I take 2 walks a day and sip water to stay awake - so far it's all that helps.

geminigirl16 · June 2016

Count me in for feeling over it, tired, unmotivated, frustrated, distracted, panicked at the sheer volume of things to complete in the next 12 weeks!

I am dreading training my replacement who started today but my IT department dropped the ball and poor guy still doesn't have his computer or access. Today he is reading HR documentation and will probably be told to go home early. I'm glad as I slept maybe a total of 3 hours last night. On the positive side, I should be happy that they found someone now vs. waiting until the last possible moment.

Anyone else finding their couch sooo uncomfortable these days? I get home from work, am dying to sit and relax then end up squirming around, plumping pillows, ect trying to find an comfy position. It's the worst...and I still have 12 weeks to go.

UnwritteN12 · June 2016

@geminigirl16 - The only place that I can find to sit that's fairly comfortable is our recliner. I put my feet up, which is great, but I'm still having to move every so often to adjust the angle of the back of the recliner because my back hurts so much. The couch is a 100% no-go zone anymore. I can't even get comfy in our bed so most of the time I zonk out in the recliner.

chavezrd2 · June 2016

runningisrad said:

I'm unmotivated, distracted, tired. Heavy. Fat. Want a nap. Want to eat all the things. I love my job & my company, but I am ready for this baby to come.

Totally there with you. I'm not excited to stop working but I have no focus, sleepy and am constantly hungry and uncomfortable. How the heck are we suppose to go another 11 weeks like this??

JennM205 · June 2016

@geminigirl16 I'm 100% with @UnwritteN12 - the recliner is where it's at. Honestly. We literally bought our La-Z-Boy during my third tri with DD because I couldn't get comfortable on the sofa. It was a lifesaver then and definitely is now. If you have the means to get one, do it! They're also excellent for rocking a wakeful newborn and for comfort during nursing, as well!

mrsvoorhees-2 · June 2016

When I'm at work, I want to eat constantly. I've always had a snack drawer but now I'm wanting to get rid of it all because I just eat all day.

geminigirl16 · June 2016

@UnwritteN12 Oh no! We have no recliner at the moment. I am afraid I am doomed to being uncomfortable for the next 3 months. Or maybe we can find one that has been gently used for our home...will have to start looking I guess

Kimmy717 · June 2016

the one thing i will say about being at work... i tend to drink more water while working then during the weekend. i guess the convenience of it just sitting in front of me on my desk helps a lot.

UnwritteN12 · June 2016

@geminigirl16 - Maybe check Craigslist for a gently used recliner or your local swap/garage sale websites if it's something your interested in. Usually you can find pretty good deals on there!

@Kimmy717 - Same here. We have a fantastic ice maker at work whereas the one at home is kind of crappy and I require a ton of ice in my water.

asht · June 2016

I'm exhausted! I am a therapist by day to severely mental I'll kids. My saving grace at this point is I only do 3 hours a day of therapy in the summer and the rest is paperwork. I'm half tempted to make a bed in my office

MNturnsVA · June 2016

I have a huge to do list at work and very close to zero motivation to tackle it.....started last week sometime. I'd much rather pass my time on here and read stroller/car seat reviews and do research on all that.

The recliner idea has me thinking- we were graced with 2 of them= matching when we moved into our house and I've been very uncomfortable on our regular couch anyways which is past in need of replacement. I'm seriously debating having DH move one of the other recliners into the living room.....I would spend a lot more time down there than I currently am because that couch is ridiculous.

OBMommy · June 2016

Ditto to all of the above. I work 12hr night shifts and I beg to take low census call. The upside is that we have great ice (the semi crushed kind you get during labor) and I do ultrasounds on myself once a week. I've found thermacare heat patches on my lower back are amazing for the pain and any time we have a breastfeeding mom then I get to have her free can of formula so I'm stocking up. At least I have 9 weeks left, 8 if I get induced at 39 weeks. 3 shifts per week x 8 weeks = 24 days of work left...I have a countdown inside my locker lol!

edited bc autocorrect is stupid.

mrsvoorhees-2 · June 2016

@OBMommy you are seriously reaping the benefits of your job, I love it!

RG1 · June 2016

Today was my first day back after being off for 4 weeks from my appendix recovery. I could not even handle it. I work with kids with autism, and I'm on the floor, at small tables, running around, etc, and I just do not have the energy. Plus its a big hassle when I have to pee because someone has to come cover me. I also can only eat on breaks and I get SO starving and then feel nauseous.
Most times, people in the position I have go off on short-term disability around 30 weeks until mat leave, because the job just becomes too difficult and there is only so much the workplace can accommodate for us. If it is still too tough in a few weeks, I'm not opposed to asking my OB for a note to be off. I physically can't put my body through it!

asht · June 2016

RG1 said:

Today was my first day back after being off for 4 weeks from my appendix recovery. I could not even handle it. I work with kids with autism, and I'm on the floor, at small tables, running around, etc, and I just do not have the energy. Plus its a big hassle when I have to pee because someone has to come cover me. I also can only eat on breaks and I get SO starving and then feel nauseous.
Most times, people in the position I have go off on short-term disability around 30 weeks until mat leave, because the job just becomes too difficult and there is only so much the workplace can accommodate for us. If it is still too tough in a few weeks, I'm not opposed to asking my OB for a note to be off. I physically can't put my body through it!

What do you do with the kids? I have a new client that is autistic and am a loss, it is not my area.

RG1 · June 2016

@asht I am a behaviour therapist so I implement the principles of applied Behavior analysis in a therapy called intensive behaviour intervention. I'd recommend reading about applied behaviour analysis - it's a scientifically evidence based way of bringing about significant behaviour change using mainly reinforcement. Good luck!

AnnaS930 · June 2016

Uhhh yeah. I bump all day and keep thinking about maternity leave. I like my job but the motivation is totally gone. I hope I'm as excited to go back after leave as I was last time...

SarahDarah333 · June 2016

Oh my gosh yes, yes to all of it. I can't focus, I have zero motivation, I just want to eat and nap and do baby-related things. It's ten thousand times harder to focus with a baby kicking away morning, noon and night in my belly. It's getting harder to be on my feet for extended periods of time, my back aches like crazy. I'd give anything to take some time off before the baby comes to just chill but I can't because we don't have paid maternity leave- so my sick and vacation time is all going towards my maternity time

bunnymay · June 2016

The lack of sleep makes it difficult to concentrate. I have to write notes everywhere and tasks take me twice as long because I'm so afraid ill either forget to do something or make a big mistake.

CRich15 · June 2016

I feel ya @RG1 except I'm on the parent end of that one. There are days I just can't even bend over to pick him up or chase after him. Therapy is starting to incorporate more parent involvement now that the ball is really rolling and it's rough! I hope you work out your time off soon so you don't overdo it.

frogdog06 · June 2016

I love my job and I previously would stay late to help with last minute requests...but am now feeling conflicted. I have to leave on time for our appointments, take care of other stuff for LO's nursery, etcetera. Priorities really do change...

That, and I'm having to use one of my breaks to pass out in the women's lounge mid-day.

RG1 · June 2016

CRich15 said:

I feel ya @RG1 except I'm on the parent end of that one. There are days I just can't even bend over to pick him up or chase after him. Therapy is starting to incorporate more parent involvement now that the ball is really rolling and it's rough! I hope you work out your time off soon so you don't overdo it.

Thank you! I hope the therapists can be understanding and limit how much you need to do physically with parent involvement too. Yesterday a marble fell on the floor and I knew it was a good opportunity to snag it and make my client ask for it to develop those skills and I couldn't bend over in my chair to get it. So now I feel like it's actually affecting client progress and I do not like that feeling!

hey_clever_girl · June 2016

I've started training my fill-in so the upside is that now that he's been shadowing me for a few weeks, I can pass some things off here and there for him to do for practice for when I'm gone. Me managing and supervising him is a good fit for me right now since I AM so tired and distracted. I'm an ad manager for my company, so one of my jobs is proofreading all of our ad materials. I am normally like a hawk, I catch EVERYTHING. But I've been slipping up so much simply because of my stupid pregnant brain. I have felt totally off my game since January and I hate it. That's one reason I'm looking forward to the break. I hope when I come back my brain will be on board with me again and I can stop feeling like such a screw up at work.

Kimmy717 · June 2016

i feel you @runningisrad i must keep 16 notes on my desk at all times or i will forget to do something, even the smallest things. over the brain foggggggg!!

today is stomach issue day. all the rolling shes doing is making me feel super gross, i dont really know how to describe it. not really nausea, but not really poo feeling. like punching your guts feeling LOL hoping to make it through the day with no real problems... we will see. keep the ice water coming...

kosmo86 · June 2016

I think I work about half the day right now, the other half is bumping, shopping online, making lists (I have sooo many lists)

Tippy05 · June 2016

Ditto here too. Zero energy. Zero motivation. Zero desire to be here. Work is so stressful and I have a boss who just doesn't seem to get it. I'm still at a full case load with no signs of slowing down anytime soon. I'm uncomfortable at work and at home. I'm not sleeping anymore and am just so tired all the time. Plus, when I am home, I'm chasing around a 4 and 5 year old, so there is no downtime for me. Ever!

I'd love to be able to not come back to work, but unfortunately we need my paycheck and even a part time salary isn't enough. My OB already "threatened" to take me out of work if I don't improve my stress level so my boss is in for a world of hurt if that happens.

jas1982 · June 2016

@Tippy05 ditto at full caseload, although I can't imagine why, as I am not really doing much of anything at work right now. Bleh. I can never leave my job, we need the money. But right now I really wish I could.

Kimmy717 · June 2016

kosmo86 said:

I think I work about half the day right now, the other half is bumping, shopping online, making lists (I have sooo many lists)

LOL i am glad im not the only one. i make like 89 lists a day and just shove them in my top desk drawer... i am so ate up. like really, why? youre just going to forget about this in .005 seconds anyway

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