Im going to tally the answers and make a desicion so Everyone Answer!!?

Question

I am 36 weeks preggo, I work from 10pm to 9am, night shift, by myself full time at Fedex Kinkos where the entire day depends on me finishing orders as fast as possible. I have the option financially to take a LOA anytime now, even though I have it scheduled to leave on my due date, NOV 11. I have been getting Light headed to the point of passing out for almost 2 weeks now only when I go into work and since my health is perfect it must be stress(high level stress job) Once I get off my shift all I do is sleep until I have to go back and nothing gets done, I havent even had time to have a baby shower because of the odd hours. Im about to turn 20 and this is my first baby and Im just tired all the time.

Who thinks that considering my background, i should or its okay for me start my leave Oct 20th or 25th instead of waiting until I go into labor, possibly at work where Im by myself in the middle of the night? My leave is only a for 4 weeks to start with.

My concern is that I go into labor late and then I have to take even more time off to spend my 4 first weeks with my newborn.
Maybe I should cut my hours down to part time until LOA?

yes I crave ice! And yes Im anemic but I thought all women got that way during pregnacy?

Answer 1

You do what's best for your health and the health of your baby. Feeling tired is a part of pregnancy, but if you feel like you're going to pass out, then stay home! Also, you should get 12 weeks of maternity leave without the threat of losing your job - it's called FMLA - the Family Medical Leave Act. Look it up on the Internet. You have rights, and you need to take advantage of them becuase no one knows what's best for you and your baby but you. Many doctors reccommend pregnant women with physically demanding jobs - like standing your entire shift -not wait until their due date to take leave. Discuss your concerns with your doctor. Congratulations on your baby! P. S. Check to see if your employer offers Short Term Disability. this is a fantastic benefit that will pay you 60% of your salary for up to 16 weeks. It will help reduce financial hardship during this time of joy for you.

Answer 2

if you are taking a LOA, then it shouldn't matter when your 4 weeks start. If you are uncomfortable, take it now. You will be glad you did. A few weeks off before labor is a WONDERFUL thing. Rest all you can, you will need it (I know that is a cliche, but oh, how true it is)! I don't know what I would have done if I had worked a shift like that right up until it was time for me to deliver. I didn't sleep more than 10 total hours the first 3 days, including labor.

Answer 3

I think you need to be at home resting, I had my daughter at 36 weeks and 37 weeks is normal so you need to be at home resting and preparing yourself for the baby not worrying about working and the extra stress, this is the last chance to just take a breath and breath before your run off your feet with a newborn. You need some you time. most women have lower iron during pregnancy and craving ice is a sign your anemic so you need to rest to help your system deal with the last stages of pregnancy.

Been young doesn't mean your body is going to handle pregnancy any easier, pregnancy takes a very big toll on any women. I hope you are able to spend more time with your baby after the birth but you still need time for you before bub comes. If you keep working you could go into labour early and that isn't great for bub its much better to have stress free for the start of labour and birth.
Good luck and just remember you and bub come first.
Hope you don't have a stressful labour and birth because I personally don't think 4 weeks is long enough to recover. Hope everything is great.

Answer 4

Part-time might answer it for you, if your boss is OK with that. But I am as concerned about the idea that you must go back to work when your baby is only 4 weeks old at most. Can't you take longer? You will hand your tiny baby over to a stranger to raise?

I definitely agree that you should not risk going into labor alone at night in the shop. Whatever it takes, avoid that, because you might have to call a cab to take you to the hospital and leave the store with no one to watch it. Presumably you could lock it up, but still, it sounds terribly scary to me.

But then, for security reasons, I would not think a woman working alone late at night is a great idea to begin with.

Answer 5

I suggest if you can you should be off all together as of now, I dont know what your financial situation is and I know kids are expensive right in the begining but you need to be off those tired feeties YOU DEFFINATLEY DONT WANT TO BE ALONE WHEN YOU GO IT TO LABOR!!! but if you cant take the time off then part time will be a lot better than full time, when start up again you will be best at only part time as well you will be extremly tired do to lack of sleep even if you get the full 4 weeks off after baby is born

Answer 6

You should take a leave before getting to labor AND after the birth for at least a month. The baby will need you those first days (milk, etc), and you will not be fit to go back to work immediately. Normally you need 40 days to recover (traditionnally in my country women are not "allowed" to get out of the house before that, they do, but just to relax with their baby after the 20th day). So you will need 4 weeks after birth, but you also need to be relaxed and not tired before birth, because it will be best for the procedure of labor and you have a lot to endure when the baby comes (not sleeping, etc). Plus, you must not be alone at work in the night, the baby can come at any moment. Your job is less important than your health and your baby's health. You will need to get much more time off if you get sick or your baby gets sick, so please take time off at least 2 weeks before you are due and 4 weeks after the birth. At least!!!

Answer 7

I am 38 nweeks prego and had to to quit work due to slight problems such as back pain and bleeding. If you contribute your symptoms to a stressful job you need to consider that that kind of stress is not good for your baby. However, everything I have read about lightheadedness says to call your doctor. I would re-evaluate and take it easy, especially since you have the option to. Enjoy your last few weeks of pregnancy and catch up on some rest. You will find that you will get more things around the house done!!!!

Answer 8

Here is what I would do. You need to take a LOA but I would go into the doctors and get a not from him/her stating that you have to be on bedrest or something along those lines so they can't fire you. THAN you also have maternity leave as well- which is usually 8 weeks. It probably won't be paid- but you need to rest now before the baby comes because once baby is here- you will not get much rest AT ALL. So- go in to your dr's and get a note (so you can't get fired) and than take maternity leave when baby comes. Your health and babies health is to important right now!

Answer 9

Cut your hours down. See if you can work 2-3 days a week. Then take your LOA a week before your due date. (Due dates are a guess at best)

This way you will still have income and also have time to get back to your life. Work should be second to self and family.

Good luck kid.

Answer 10

Yes, take your leave.

PLUS, you may be neglecting your nutrition. Try to take in some calories because lightheadedness can be a sign of hypoglycemia (low-blood-sugar), of which women are often guilty.

I would bet you are working your shift solid, without breaks to get a snack or anything. You are eating for two and need the extra calories, especially now.

If you don't feel able to take breaks to eat something, at least have some healthy juice to drink during your shift. Good luck!