I work a very different schedule than most people that, on a regular non-pregnant basis can be exhausting. Add in being almost 8 months pregnant and it just plain sucks.

My normal schedule is 6pm-6am Thurs night-Sun morning with every other Wed. So, I work 84 hours every pay period. I have to sleep during the day because I work nights, which is taxing enough when you add in having to switch my schedule around every "weekend" just so I can spend time with DH and family. You can imagine how physically and mentally draining that is.

Well, add on the fact that we are understaffed and usually have 1-2 days of scheduled overtime a week. Which means each week, instead of working an average of 42 hours, I am actually working more like 68 hours. PLUS when we are on call it is almost guaranteed that we will be called in to work the entire weekend... AKA 11 days straight of 12 hour shifts.

Now, like any pregnant woman, I am constantly tired as it is. I have my fair share of pregnancy pains and days it is just plain difficult to function. My job isn't laid back either. I work in a jail. I am on "light" duty for safety reasons but all that means is I don't have physical contact with inmates. I work in the bond desk which, infact, is more stressful that actually working with the inmates! I don't get a break. Period. For 12 hours. No scheduled lunch break, nothing.

I am exhausted. Seriously tired. Constantly. We all have to share the overtime and on-call as equally as we can so some of us can get atleast a few days off here and there but because everybody is so overworked there is more vacation being taken, more sick days being used, and thus, more overtime needing to be filled. We can't run short staffed for safety and logistic reasons.

I am already taking a week before my EDD off and using two weeks Comp Time (I take time rather than pay for my overtime so I can use it for the baby) so I don't have to start my FMLA until later. I can't afford to take much more time off of my regular schedule.

I just don't know what to do... I am seriously getting so burnt out I have taken 2 sick days just because I was too tired to work. That's it. Just tired.

What would you do? I am at such a loss. I don't want to leave all this OT for my co-workers to pick up the slack, esp since I don't think they would understand. It also just isn't fair to them. Period.

Sorry this was so long. It is a complicated and delicate situation.