working shifts while pregnant

[ScottishSmurfette]

Hey just looking for some advice, ive got a job that involves doin shift work but since i started there 4 months ago ive been doin 9-5:30, once my training is dun in 3 weeks time ill be goin onto shift work which wouldnt be an issue but im 5 months pregnant now and i dnt want to start doin dif workin hrs every week as i feel my body wont adjust to it. I have asked if there is anything that can be done and my manager came back with a 3 week rotation 9-5:30 including one full weekend and one with just a saturday, i agreed to this then he came back to me and said they have changed it and gave me a new 4 week rotation working an extra weekend and longer shifts. I really dont want to accept this and its causing me much stress and depression, im just looking for advice on what to do? Can i go to my gp regarding reducing my hours?

[IrisitaB]

I think it's recommended you don't work nights, and not too long hours. I've been doing my training 7-13:30 shifts three times a week, but next week I'll start booking my shifts and I'm thinking I'm going to work 6 hrs shifts 3 times a week. You didn't say what is your job? I'm a care support worker so I'm usually up and running all day long.

[IrisitaB]

BTW I'm 17 weeks pregnant.

[Shutthatdoor]

Can i go to my gp regarding reducing my hours?

You can of course, but that would result in a reduction of pay also I would imagine.

[PotteringAlong]

What's the issue with working shifts when you're pregnant?

[acquiescence]

I'm a nurse and work shifts, I actually prefer my late shifts (2.30-9) as I get a lie in! I have stopped doing nights, using pregnancy as an excuse as I don't like them. You can just talk to your employer about reducing hours, you shouldn't have to go to your GP, but then it depends how flexible and understanding your employer is. I am 34 weeks and it is getting quite hard now, I am reducing my hours gradually using annual leave

[acquiescence]

Potteringalong, there is no clear issue, shift work can just be a lot more tiring than 9-5 and pregnancy is pretty tiring!

[Lou13e]

Hmm, I work shifts, I was on nights last week but genuinely find day shifts more tiring, I work 10 hour shifts and have a 45 min journey either way. I think you could potentially say no to nights but don't think you can say no to weekends really. Good luck

[Bumpingalong84]

I am also a nurse and work 12hour shifts, and do 3-4days a week, including weekends! I am 31weeks now and it's getting a little tiring but it's a job I've decided to do and love, so will continue until 35weeks when I go off on mat leave. My last two night shifts are this week. I find i'd rather do longer days and have more days off than work 9-5 5days a week!

[WhoTheFIsJeff]

I'm a nurse and worked shifts when pregnant including nights and weekends. I do 12 hour shifts. I don't see what being pregnant has got to do with not working weekends, it's just another day.

Someone I know was taken off nights as they made her ill but apart from that we all had to work our shifts the same as anyone else.