Working While Being Pregnant...

...IT SUCKS!

Now, I know, there will be some who will disagree with me, but, for me, it sucks (and not it a good way).  All the women out there who have (and have had) no problem with continuing to work full time either are in better health than I am, do not have the severe exhaustion and the emotion upheaval I do (I was on the verge of tears all day and every time I moved I ached and hurt so bad that that in itself made me want to cry, while I had to put up with my "manageress" complaining about me moving too slow), or they work (or worked) a nice desk job where they sit (or sat) down most of the day.  This working retail - lifting, moving, running back and forth to the bank, processing orders, cleaning and tidying shelves - it just doesn't go well with being pregnant.  Every muscle in my body hurts, my spine feels like it's in a vice, and - again - all I want to do is cry.

Now, I know this is more of a grievance and a rant (and, believe me, I am bloody well grieved), but I figured this thread still belongs over in this section.  I have to keep working, I have no choice...but, I know, that if I don't pull my weight at work, they'll sack me.

 :\\\'( :\\\'( :\\\'(

I hate feeling like this.  I should be happy that I am pregnant...and, I am.  I really am.  But this just drains me so terribly that I don't even have the strength to show happiness any more.

It doesn't help that I am surrounded by insensitve people who don't understand that not all women are the same, not all women sail through their pregnancies painlessly.  And, my usually wonderful husband is so tired when he gets home from work that he has no sympathy left for my extreme exhaustion because he can't understand the magnitude and the difference of it, so he gets exasperated with me when I can't think to make a decision about what to have for dinner (I'm that tired, I can't even think to do something simple like that - I'm that wiped out).

I guess I'm probably alone even here and everyone will tell me to just get a grip.  But, I still had to have a rant.

*Hugs* I understand. When I was pregnant with my oldest I was so incredibly sick it made working impossible. I spent the entire time running to the toilet to vomit. Not nice. Second son I wasn't sick like that but I was sooooooooo exhausted all the time. I lost weight the entire time because I didn't even eat. I was too tired to even eat. I know that sounds stupid but I couldn't even bring myself to make a sandwich half the time. I just needed so much rest. I only worked through part of each pregnancy because it was just so hard on me. I hope you feel better soon. I've had friends who were like that through their entire first trimester then sailed through the rest so hopefully that will happen for you.

*Hugs, too*
No good. I completely feel for you (I worked retail while carrying my son, too- had complete "cankles" due to my swollen feet- in fact went into labor at work- drove myself home because I didn't want mall security delivering my baby in the icky back room of the bookstore.)
No great words of wisdom, but you have my sympathy and understanding.
*Sigh* Maybe take a few minutes and just sit, beg the honey to brush your hair for you- if only to feel a little "taken care of" in a small way???
Take care

I worked until I was 38 weeks pregnant and found it VERY tiring especially towards the end, even though I was sitting down all day.  You might not know that Health & Safety laws require employers to provide a room where pregnant women & nursing mothers can take rest breaks.  (this would be the sick room in most companies).  Also your employer is supposed to organise a Health & Safety assessment for anyone who is pregnant and follow any recommendations given.  You certainly should not be doing heavy lifting or bending all the time.

You might find this link useful if you need to show something to your employer. Many small companies are not aware of their responsibilities in this area.

http://www.tiger.gov.uk/maternity/index_april03.htm

Play lotto! 

I don't have any choice, either, I have to work till I pop, literally.  I'm just grateful I'm no longer in the US where I'd have to go back to work in an obscenely short time b/c I couldn't afford otherwise.

The buses are on industrial action, so I have the added bonus of having to walk a fairly long distance to get on in the morning - I'm 5 months along - as they are on Saturday schedule. 

We all just have to knuckle through.  Such is life for most of us. 

I also have a little child at home, who - quite rightly - wants all my attention in the evening. 

Needless to say, we're only having two  .

It will improve in the 2nd trimester!

Look at it this way, at least it will be cool outside when you get a little further along.

I dont know what to say to make you feel better, but I really feel your anguish.  Being pregnant for me was the most uncomfortable experience of my life, luckily I didn't have to work but just imagining your situation brings back the pains etc.  Have you considered buying these shoe insoles by Dr Scholls, I'm not sure if they have them here maybe something similar they are made out of a cool feeling gel and really helps if you have a retail job.  Maybe talk to your Dr about ways to destress or possibly anti-anxiety meds if it's really serious.  I hope things get better for you.

Thanks for all the sympathy, Everyone.  And thanks for that link, Liz...I'll check it out.  Right now they still have me lifting and bending, but they have limited the lifting to some-what lighter things.  My back still aches nearly constantly...and, I do worry about miscarrying - but, that's just because I'm a big worrier anyway.

Play lotto!

  We do.  I even have my daughter, Rhema, sending me numbers to try.


I still haven't been to the doctor; apparently you have to get the appointment on the same day as the appointment (weird)...and, every time we've tried to call and get one the line is busy or, when we finally do get through, all the appointments are taken for that day.  Really frustrating!  So, Jamie is going to take a half-day off on Wednesday (because I have that day off next week - usually it's Monday I have off, but we are short staffed for a bit and have had to juggle days off), he's going to go into the doctor's office right when they open and get me an appointment for the morning (so he can come with me). 

This past week has been very difficult for me.  It's been made worse because we (the "manageress" and I) have been doing the work of three people between us, with her getting no lunch breaks (she still lets me have one), due to the fact that we have no cover; we are short one person for 2 weeks while our part-time person goes to sort out a family situation.  This week has been exhausting!  After crying and taking a shower immediately after getting home last night, I got into bed (this is before 7:00, mind you) and slept until 9:00 this morning.  Got up, ate some pineapple, watched Doctor Who on DVD, went back to bed at around noon-ish and just woke up! 

And...another week likes this awaits me...  I am wondering how I will ever survive.