12 hour shifts are killing me

[nsav]

Hi there

I am 20, about 8 weeks pregnant and I work 3 12 hour shifts a week and go to college 2 days a week.

I am struggling with the 12 hour shifts with having sore hips sore feet and sore back. I work in a care home where there is a lot of hoisting etc - I’m not allowed to hoist 2 residents as they are overweight and far too big for me to hoist.

Is there anything anyone in this position has done to stop your feet from killing you each day?

Thanks

Sounds exhausting with college as well! Have you got good supportive shoes with comfy insoles? Obviously with your back make sure you are following correct moving and handling! You could ask to have more rest breaks if that's possible?

I don't have much advice... I've worked in care in the past and can imagine it would be tough when pregnant. They should do a risk assessment if you are pregnant - perhaps that's what you mean about not hoisting some residents. Is it a private care home or council run place? If it was council run I think you would stand a better chance of them offering you some different duties as things progress but I don't know. Hope you've got decent comfy shoes, take your breaks, sit down when you have chance ( I know not often but if writing notes, making phone calls), keep talking to your manager. Do they have any tasks you could do which are less on your feet, like any activities with residents or would it be easier at night etc? Good luck to you, you sound very hard working, I hope things work out well.