Work or not to work, suggestions?

[love_the_daschies]

I have a very stressful job as well. I went off call the moment I found out I was pregnant. Then I went out of work at 20 weeks. My BP was rising, my protein was just under the cut-off for PE and I was having more and more high pressure readings. My doctor didn't seem to feel I really needed the bedrest until 27 weeks - but then he kept me in the hospital from 29 weeks on to 36 + 3! For me, I found bedrest beneficial. either way, I felt I was doing all I could - it was very hard though and I constantly rethought whether bed rest was really necessary and wanted to go back to work.

[caryn]

Here's what our Experts have said about bedrest, and here's what they've said about stress.

[l412angel]

This is a question that I struggle with myself. For me I am cutting back my hour at the 20 weeks mark because mentally it will make me feel better as I am a hair stylist and always on my feet.

I feel do what is going to make you feel best and like you are doing everything you can to keep this pregnancy going!

[alexa5]

I worked throughout my pregnancy even after developing PIH at 28 weeks with pretty high pressures. That said, my job isn't very stressful, but I also knew I wasn't a very good bed rest candidate. I felt like working was less stressful because it kept me busy/not thinking about pregnancy, etc. My doc never asked me to rest/take off work, etc, but not saying that it can't be helpful to someone with a stressful job.

[miamibunnie]

Littleblue I had a loss 3 months ago I was almost 6 months by 1 week. I also am a surgicsl coordinator and it is very stressful. Working in the health care is serious stuff. At least thats the way I see my pt's. But I reccomeend you stay home at least for 4-6 weeks around the time that your baby is viable just incase anything occurs. With todays technology a baby can survive after 6 months but 7 and 8 is better than 5 and 6.

[littlebluebelle]

That was my other issue too, I trial going back to work and then I still would need a ton of follow up appointments that I need time off for. The doc suggested half days which doesn't work at all where I work. My half days always turn into 3/4 days or more. I go back on Tuesday for all my labwork results, we'll see what she says. Hopefully she won't make me feel like an idiot! :)

[angieb]

My doctor insisted I could keep working, etc. etc. etc. My co-workers were astounded I wasn't on bedrest. I definitely regret working as long as I did.

I'm still going through fertility treatments but I resigned from my work in anticipation of getting pregnant (luckily we're more than fine financially without my paycheck. I'm a teacher and it was getting impossible to schedule fertility appointments without taking a zillion days off.)

[brandib]

I think being off of your feet more is better. I wouldn't go back to work. YOu are still early in your pregnancy and you really need all the time you can to cook your little bun! I would reccommend not going to work. While they haven't proven stress to really cause PE, they have shown that bedrest helps some people. Maybe you are one of them. I think you should ask your doc for the note. Let us know!

[littlebluebelle]

Thanks for your response, and I think that's what makes me feel so uneasy about going back to work. It is all of the possible outcomes that could happen. I just want to make sure I'm not totally crazy for not wanting to go back!

[kerisue]

I took my bp 4+ times a day toward the end, including at least twice at work, and I KNOW the stress of my job made it spike. If I had known then what I know now about the outcome of that, I would definitely have taken off work sooner, or at least rested more throughout the work day. I believe the research is mixed on the effectiveness of bedrest per se and the role of stress/anxiety in pregnancy complications. Advocate for what you feel like you need.