Hellobee Boards

Nevermind. tehe

@runsyellowlites: hee hee... She's talking about being a registered nurse, not a nursing mother.

@runsyellowlites: I'll allow it!

Yup! I'm a PICU nurse. I found the first trimester to be the toughest. I was soooo tired! I was working 7a-7p, and I used most of my breaks to go into a conference room and close my eyes. The last trimester was hard in terms of being so big and uncomfortable. I worked up until the week before I was due but it was hard! My advice: 1) be gentle on yourself. If you have to call in sick because you're too exhausted or sick, do it and don't beat yourself up about it. I was so sick that I had to actually start an "intermittent leave" so I wouldn't be penalized for missing so much work 2) Bring good (and lots!) of food. We weren't allowed to eat in patient areas but I always found ways to sneak things...some nuts, apple wedges, a cracker here and there, smoothies in water bottles... do whatever to get yourself feeling good and to keep your energy up. 3) invest in good shoes and compression stockings. The one day I didn't wear the compressions socks I was such a swollen mess at the end of the day. Lesson learned! 4) let people help you. At first I would always say "I'm fine" when people offered to help. People want to help though so let then and you'll both be happy I think at this point in the game you really just have to power through it. It will get better! Hope that wasn't too much info

I did as well. With my first LO, I worked a 7p-7am shift. The first trimester was definitely hard. I also had pretty awful morning sickness too. By the 2nd trimester I had gotten much Better. A position opened for days in my last trimester so my Manager recommended me for it. I came back after my maternity leave and after f/t for three more months I ended up going part time. With my second LO, I was beyond exhausted. I was never a great sleeper to begin with. I powered thru but in the end I left work a month before my due date because I had gotten so much bigger so mich faster. My floor was soo heavy. My fluid was always measuring low. So I just wanted to take it easy. I ended up being 3 weeks early. I second the person who said to allow your team to help you. Believe me, they genuinely want to. I learned the true compassion and care my fellow nurses and techs had for me and in turn I always did the same when other coworkers were pregnant. Have an open discussions with your manager so they know how you are feeling. I ended up taking so many mor sick days then normal but she totally understood. Good luck and congrats!

@MrsSpadusa: I almost said "etoh" in my post but changed it - forgot I was talking to another nurse

It really does get easier once people know. My coworkers were SO supportive. They would always jump in even when I would have been ok doing something myself. They were very protective of me and baby. It was nice to work in such a female-dominated field while pregnant. A lot of my coworkers remembered being pregnant and trying to work nights in an ICU so they were particularly sympathetic. I'm sure these early weeks have been tough but I hope you're feeling better soon. Congratulations!