Working the night shift while prego and with a 14 month old at home?

Question

I was just wondering if anyone had any advice for me or is in the same type of situation ? How do you do it? I'm tired!!!!

My husand works during the day. And he helps out when he gets home which is late. I do only work 3 -12hr days but it's still tough

Answer 1

i worked til 2 in the morning doing hard work, til 8 3/4 months preg. had an 18 month old at home who woke at 5. no secrets, just tears, praying to get to nap time. i know how you feel, but dont push your self, it pushed me to give birth 3 weeks early. good luck, find someone to help you need to sleep.

Answer 2

I'm assuming you're a nurse? My sister does the same thing and she is pregnant with her third now and has a 3 year old and 15 month old at home. I don't know how you guys do it! and she gets tired as well. I don't know if this helps, but what my sister does is the day before her nightshift, when her kids nap, she takes a nap as well. Then she goes and works her night shift, usually gets home around 7am. She goes right to bed and sleeps 5-6 hours, gets up, then tries to go to bed early that night as well to catch up. She doesn't work the three shifts in a row so this works for her. She's also been a nurse for a long time and always flipped between day and night shifts, so she is lucky she can sleep on demand pretty much. And its definitely harder to do while she's pregnant. Good luck!!

Answer 3

I totally understand. I too work the night shift (midnight to 8a) but my daughter is 3 and I'm 26 weeks pregnant. It's difficult, no doubt. I haven't quite found out a great way to cope. However, I've found that if I spend time with my child when I first get home (even though sometimes I just want to drop to the floor, lol) and when I wake up, it adds up. I involve my daughter into little things like rinsing the dishes or making a game out of things. Sometimes I just cuddle with her in the mornings too :)

At work, when you take a break, is there a way you could take a catnap? I try to whenever I can and it helps a bit. What some people don't understand is that even with Daddy around, it's STILL difficult working nights, being pregnant, AND having another child.

Good luck sweetie :) And congrats on baby #2!

Answer 4

I'm in the same boat I work overnight 12s 6p to 6a. I have a 18 mon old and I'm 3 mon prego. I'm tired LOL. My husband works 2 jobs so I can't really depend on him for extra sleep even though he does try to do his best. I sleep about 1hr before little guy gets up and then during his nap but lately I think I'm going to quit working. Probably not the answer your looking for but my JOB is being a Mom and I make money working. I'm looking at cutting back financially around here at the house and try to make extra money here and there with things like garage sales, consignment shops and ebay. Because I feel tired I'm not giving my kid the kind of interaction he needs I'm more sitting in the room while he plays, does that make sense? I dont wan thte TV/ DVD's to be the Mom. I hope whatever choice you make works out for you I understand your frustration and I'm praying for your family and I'm sorry I couldn't help more with advice.

Answer 5

THis is one of the few times when it's easy to say your dog would be just fine. SInce you will be out when your dog would normally be sleeping, she will just sleep through the night. If you find that you don't have the energy the days after your shifts to really take ehr out early enough and play throughout the day - since she is young- you should perhaps arrange for a pet sitter to take her just on those days, perhaps in the morning. That would take the pressure off you, and let her get some good socialization with other dogs and people. Ask your vet in the new place for the name of a reputable pet sitter - and not just one who sets them free in a dog park, but supervises them and walks them in small groups, to be safe. Start crating her alone now, so she gets used to being alone, before you hit her with the new surroundings.

Answer 6

My daughter just turned 2 Monday, I am due to have our second this Sunday and I work 30-35hrs a week Monday-Friday from 6pm-12(30)am. Its hard but its something that needs to be done. I work at night so I can be home with my babies and not pay for daycare. I also do online classes for college and i am exhausted! Hang in there it will get better. I try to nap when my daughter does but only when i have done my school work. Just try an sit and rest when you can, you will notice towards the end of your pregnancy that its really hard to fall or stay asleep. Good luck and congrats!

Answer 7

I quit a first shift job when I was 7 months pregnant, and had a 16 month old at home. Being at work at 4 in the morning was too much stress on me, and starting complicating my pregnancy. I ended up on best rest for 5 months with the eldest, which is 20 months now. You can really wear your body down being pregnant, and taking care of a toddler, while working.

Answer 8

I worked four years on the 3rd shift with two (2) small children and pregnant, when I got home in the mourning I would feed the children, and while there eating breakfast catch up on house work then I’d take them to my room, close the door place them in the bed with me and let Disney channel roll for as long as possible which allowed me to take a nap, lunch was at about 1:30, 2:30 made them take a nap with me which last for about 2 hours, at this time I’m rested enough to get them up take them outside to play until help arrives, cook dinner and depending on the day I would go back to sleep until 9 only to get back up to be to work at 10. Your body will form a habit and it will get easier I promise. It seems as the T.V. is watching the children for a couple hours, but its worth saving you from making any amount of trips to the emergency room for dehydration, or from you falling out at work from lack of sleep believe me it happened to me in my first year or working this shift. Lack of sleep causes lots of stress and more serious problems take the time to get as much sleep as you can. The Children will be ok.

Answer 9

First of all im proud of you for working such a job, im guessing you have to in order to support your family. My mom did it when my sister was 2 and i was still in her belly! I dunno how much your making or what u do but have you tried working at mcdonalds, some stay open 24 hrs and are willing to work out a schedule you can handle and its great for some extra income to help out with bills!! You seem like a good mommy and wife!!!!!

Answer 10

I couldn't work a night shift even when not pregnant...

Check what your rights are. A pregnant woman can get her job conditions changed if they endanger her health during pregnancy, and exhausting yourself is not good for the baby. I think your employer has to change you to day shifts only, if you get a doctor's note to say that you are suffering from exceptional tiredness due to the pregnancy. An employer can get into trouble for inhumane treatment of pregnant women, I think. Not that I ever had to try fighting it out.