Struggling with work (hospital based)
Does anyone else work in a hospital and really starting to struggle? I’m 26 weeks and work full time. I do 12.5 hour shifts, mixture of nights and days. My day shifts are really starting to become exhausting, I’m only just recovering from working Monday and Tuesday and I’m back in again at the weekend.
My feet are absolutely on fire from about 10am and my back is just as painful. Everyone I work with tries to be as supportive as possible but it’s a very demanding ward and the patients needs are high.
I’ve already had a few episodes of sickness because of my back and I’m starting to wonder how I’m going to cope until I go on maternity leave. I’m starting my maternity leave at 37 weeks but I get to leave at 34 as I’m taking some annual leave but even that is going to be a struggle and I’m literally counting down the weeks to be able to finish😩
The GP just recommended light duties which isn’t even possible on a ward and my midwife just advised to speak to my manager about my working pattern but there’s not really a lot that can be changed. Even if I take my extra breaks I don’t have time as it’s so busy, then I’m behind with tasks which is more stressful and puts strain on the team.
I think I just needed a moan 🫣 sorry! but also wanted to see if anyone else is in a similar situation working a heavy job and how they are coping.
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I also work in a hospital in elderly care as an OT, so more reasonable hours. I started struggling at 30 weeks and had a few pregnancy scare. My boss put me on light duties early on and for the last two weeks, I was able to work from home because even the commute was a struggle. I’m band 7 so had enough managerial duties to make working from home possible. AlsO, I had enough annual leave to finish 4 weeks before my due date when my maternity leave started. Do speak with HR, they are there to help!
Have you spoken to occupational health? In my last pregnancy occupational health told my department management what I could and could not do in terms of duties. This time I haven’t had to see occupational health as my management have been better this time round. You should also be having regular risk assessments if you’re not already which should also trigger occupational health referral.
I’m a ward manager at a hospital and if your GP has suggested light duties that is absolutely possible. The risk assessment for my trust talks about amended duties and hours and previously I’ve put pregnant staff onto light duties. They work more days but shorter ones. They don’t do patient contact but do referrals, audits, paperwork, book transport/call families that kind of stuff. I would advise talking to your manager because otherwise you’re just going to end up going off sick.
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