Surviving Pregnancy While Working As A Nurse
This month I am focusing on Maternal Nursing for the academic side of this website, so I thought it would be fun to write a post about what it is like to be a pregnant nurse and offer some tips and tricks on how to survive the 9 very long months of pregnancy while working as a nurse.
I worked as a nurse on the night shift during my pregnancy with my son. This provided some interesting challenges and I learned some very important lessons that I will be sharing with you here.
I want to make a quick note and say that my pregnancy was uncomplicated, and I did not have any specific health concerns. If you are experiencing specific issues because of an underlying health issue, then I would suggest consulting your doctor on how to remedy your specific situation.
With that said, let’s get into these 5 tips on how to survive working as a pregnant nurse!
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Inform appropriate personnel
This can be a sensitive subject as many women want to keep their pregnancy a secret until around 3 months in the case that a miscarriage occurs. This is undoubtedly a touchy subject, and I do not want to seem insensitive. Each woman must make their decisions based on their experiences and preferences.
You do not have to tell anyone that you are pregnant until you are ready, however if you are given a patient assignment that could potentially harm your unborn baby, then you may have to inform your charge nurse or manager so that you can switch assignments.
This can be a concern, for instance, if you have a patient with an infectious disease like influenza or meningitis. Patients that are receiving radiation or chemotherapy are also be inappropriate assignments for a pregnant nurse to take.
It may also be appropriate to inform your nurse manager or charge nurse that you are pregnant in the case that you are experiencing nausea/vomiting or any other health concerns that could potentially interrupt your workflow.
Again, you do not have to inform every person you work with that you are pregnant in the first few months if you are not comfortable. This is a sensitive time for expecting mothers who have experienced miscarriages or infertility. It is also a sensitive time for the baby’s development, so it is important to avoid situations that could compromise the health of mom and baby.
For information on potentially hazardous situations, check out this post.
It is crucial to avoid these hazardous situations.
Rest
Ok, so this one might be easier said than done. During the first trimester, the exhaustion that expecting mothers experience can be a struggle. People may say that this exhaustion pales in comparison to the exhaustion that occurs once the baby is born, but I beg to differ.
I would be so tired at times during the first trimester of my pregnancy that I would feel physically ill. I know that sounds dramatic, but it is true!
This exhaustion can be exacerbated by the schedule that nurses work, especially if you’re working night shift.
Therefore, it is so important to get in as much rest as you can.
There is no shame in taking a 30-minute nap during your lunch break while at work. There’s also no shame in relaxing on your days off. If it is at all possible, recruit help from family and friends to help complete household chores and run errands.
As women, we often think that we must do all the things all by ourselves. However, during pregnancy, and motherhood, we must be open to accepting help from others. Like I mentioned, let your family and friends help you around the house. Also, if your coworkers are willing and able, recruit them when your energy reserves are running low and you need some help.
Also, pretty obvious but I wanted to make sure to include it incase you need a gentle reminder. Try to get 7-9 hours of sleep every night. It’s good for you and the baby. 😊
Hydration
It is important for all individuals to stay hydrated, but it is especially important to stay hydrated while pregnant.
Bring a reusable water bottle to work that you can fill up repeatedly with water throughout the shift. It can be difficult to stay hydrated when you’re having a busy shift, so try to make it a habit to get a drink of water when you’re sitting down to chart or when you’re taking a potty break.
If you are struggling with nausea and water does not sound appetizing, you could try adding some Crystal Light flavoring or infuse the water with your favorite fruits.
If you like drinking tea, you could also consider steeping some non-caffienated “calming” tea to help you unwind during your lunch break.
The moral of the story is to stay hydrated in whatever way is easiest for you.
Be sure to always have a pathway to a restroom though! :p
Pack healthy snacks/meals
We all know the stereotype that pregnant women tend to crave and eat unhealthy foods. It can be difficult to say no to the breakroom donuts if you are pregnant and didn’t pack any snacks or lunch.
If you want to avoid the cafeteria food and the vending machine, then be sure to pack a lunchbox full of appetizing and healthy meals and snacks.
Here are some quick and healthy snack ideas:
- Almonds and cheese
- Yogurt and fruit
- Hummus and crackers
- Popcorn
- Peanut butter crackers
- Apple and peanut butter
You never know when a random craving will hit, so don’t be ashamed to pack some of the odd foods you have been craving too. Or if you have a sweet tooth, pack some dark chocolate to satisfy that sweet craving.
Gear to survive work- compression socks, comfy tennis shoes, & back support
Common ailments of pregnancy can include swelling of feet and legs, tired feet and legs, and an achy back. Unfortunately, these things cannot be completely avoided, but there are some items that can help decrease their severity.
Compression socks
I personally think all nurses should wear compression stockings, but pregnant nurses definitely need to wear compression socks. They will help reduce the inevitable swelling that will occur in the lower extremities.
In addition to wearing compression socks to reduce swelling, be sure to elevate your legs whenever possible- at work and at home.
If it is in your budget, then you may also enjoy a foot and leg massage from a massage therapist to help promote circulation and relieve aching feet and legs. However, if it isn’t in your budget and you happen to have a willing partner or family member, don’t shy away from asking one of them for an at home massage!
Comfy tennis shoes
Before I became pregnant, I was wearing Danskos religiously. However, once the swelling of my feet kicked in, I was not able to wear my Danskos comfortably.
It was at that time that I switched to wearing tennis shoes. I went for some Nike tennis that were flexible, provided arch support, and complimented my personal style.
It is important to buy a size that does not fit too snugly in the case that you experience a lot of swelling in your feet and ankles.
Back support
Pregnancy can cause many women to experience low back pain. Working as a nurse can cause many individuals to experience low back pain. Combine the two together and WHAM! It’s double trouble.
In order to prevent some of the lower back pain, I highly recommend purchasing a pregnancy back support band.
Fair warning that these can look a little bulky on, but I personally felt it was worth the extra girth.
Be sure to combine the back-support band with good body mechanics to prevent back strain. Also, include back stretches in your daily routine.
When I didn’t wear my back support band at work I would literally feel like I was going to break in half because of the severe back pain I experienced. So, this is one of those items that I cannot recommend enough.
Working as a nurse while pregnant can be tough stuff! I hope that these 5 tips helped you in some way or gave you ideas on how to improve your experience as a pregnant nurse.
Stay in tune with your body and realize when you need a break or when you need to take time for yourself. If you have some PTO and want to take a few days off during your pregnancy because you are utterly exhausted, don’t feel ashamed!
As always, feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or you just want to talk.
Happy Nursing!