Night shift and pregnant...heavy lifting?

Question

I am 16 weeks pregnant and i work a night shift as a residential aide for mentally handy caped residents. One of our residents has to be woken up to use the bathroom every 2 hours and he can be very stubborn some times and just drop his weight. i know lifting heavy things is bad but at 3 in the am and trying to prevent an accident sometimes i do help...but every night it seems i get more tired and tired no matter how much i sleep the day before anyone in a situation like this and maybe some possable solutions to the issue. I dont want to fall asleep at work but it seems that is all i want to do before i was pregnant is was not a problem for me....any coment is appreciated

Answer 1

I would talk to your employer, They can usualy put you on light duty for the remainer of your pregnancy, maybe even a day shift if you think that would work better for you. Please do not lift on that person, get someone else to help. It is for the safety of your baby. Your body is also going through a ton of changes at this time, so of course your tired, You may even be tired on a day shift but its worth a try. Make sure your co-workers and boss know your pregnant so you wont have to lift heavily! good luck! They should be understanding. and They cant fire you for it either.

Answer 2

If you are able to get enough sleep during the day it may just be that you are tired because you are pregnant. I was tired all the time during my pregnancies but more so in the beginning and at the end. You don't need to be doing any heavy lifting. I would talk to your employer and see if you could change shifts. But if you are able to sleep good during the day that may not really help, but you should definitely get someone else to help with the lifting of the patients. Both for your baby's safety and the patients.

Answer 3

First off speak to your supervisor... You definately should not be handling the weight of a full grown man during pregnancy at any stage of pregnancy. If nothing else get a note from your doctor stating specifically what you are allowed to lift and then they HAVE to make allowances for it.
As for the sleepies it should wear off any time now.. generally thats a first trimester thing and then it's great for the second trimester. third trimester is time for more sleep just since running around with baby in there is exhausting.
Consider packing high protein snacks to eat while on your breaks and lunches since that will help perk you up without wearing off to soon.
Good luck!

Answer 4

You're only 16 weeks pregnant. Don't worry... But if this becomes a big problem, talk to the resident about your situation. I'm sure he won't mind. Also, you can consult a doctor about heavy lifting to see if it's safe. Ask your boss if you can have a different shift, night shifts aren't healthy for the baby.

Answer 5

I would see if you could maybe switch shifts and possibly get a doctors note stating that you should not lift over 20lbs, you need to stay healthy for the baby and it seems like this might not be the best thing for you. Maybe even see if you can be put on light duty.

Answer 6

I know changing jobs is not easy, but contact your HR person for job modification. You cant be lifting full grown men at four months pregnant and you sure wont be able to do it in the coming months.

As for being tired, your body is working hard trying to create your baby. You will feel tired and if you havent you probably should eliminate caffeine as well cause it can cause you to "burn out"

Good luck and congrats

Answer 7

Sleeping is very common and really needed, as for your job have your doc give you a note to excuse you or have you moved to a different hall where there arent heavy people, Heavy lifting can cause misscarriage, and could possible put you in early labor with massive back labor

Answer 8

Tiredness is very common. But as far as lifting goes they say you can do any activity regularly that you did before you were pregnant. But lifting a person is a little much. Talk to your doctor about that

Answer 9

Pregnancy makes you tired.Especially in the First and Third trimester.I don't think you should do heavy lifting now.When you get in your Second Trimester you should feel little bit better.It normal to feel this way at 16 Weeks.

Answer 10

Pregnancy is a protected condition and your workplace should not be making you do anything that could jeopardize your health or the baby's. Get a note from your dr. stating you are not supposed to lift more than so many pounds, then take it to your supervisor. It's perfectly legal to do this.