Working and 6 Months Along

Updated on April 14, 2010
B.G. asks from Great Falls, MT
16 answers

Okay im 6 months along and work full days at the end othe day im so tierd and in pain all i want to do s sleep. So that is only working a 6-430 day 5 days a week now they want us to start workng 7am-7pm 7days a week. My question is is this jutification to ask a doctor or a employer if i can work 8 hour days i know you dont normaly get that tell you are 7-8 months along but im in pain anyone have any thoughts?

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D.C.

answers from Denver on

Holy Cow! I would contact the Colorado Labor Board. That's Illegal!!! PERIOD! You can do it confidentially.

L.C.

answers from Kansas City on

i would definitely talk to you doc about it. My doc had me quit work at 4 months with both of my kids. my body just could not tolerate it.

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T.W.

answers from Denver on

What kind of job requires you to work seven 12 hours days? That is not even legal!

In your circumstances, I would have no problems asking your doctor to recommend that you only work eight hour days, five days a week. I am sure he/she will do it. If you are in pain, you are in pain, it doesn't matter how far along you are.

Good luck!

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K.T.

answers from Chicago on

I know it varies state to state but I live in illinois and I believe its against the law to work 7 days straight but I know a lot of companies do it anyways. Im not sure what the law is in MT. But, I think you should go see your doctor and tell him your in pain and maybe he will write you a dcotor's note to just only work 8 hrs a day.

I had a bad experience when I was 6 weeks pregnant. I was working at a company that fired me because I had a doctors note to be on bedrest for two weeks. I know that was wrong of them but I really couldn't do anything about it because I was working as a temp employee.

Good luck and I hope everything works out for you!

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K.D.

answers from Denver on

Talk to your doctor. The worst thing you can do for yourself and the baby is go into labor overly exhausted. I hope you can work something out. Congratulations!

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C.C.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Absolutely, ask for that. If you can't get it, I would look for a different job. If you are stressed a lot that is bad for both you and your baby. Seriously 7 to 7, and 7 days a week is insane. I wouldn't work that many hours even if I was not pregnant. I think it's just crazy to ask people to work that many hours. You could look up pre-paid legal in your area and get some advise from a legal perspective.

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L.M.

answers from New York on

If you're in pain, something is wrong. Talk to your doctor. Your doctor can specify that you can only work 8 hours a day.

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J.A.

answers from Denver on

If they won't shorten your hours I would look for a different job, because not only is it h*** o* you pregnant, you won't ever get to see your baby, once he/she is born and that is tragic...

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L.A.

answers from Reno on

I was in the same boat. I worked about 65 miles from home so with a 10 hour day and 2 hours commuting it really sucked. All I can say is it's do-able, but really wipes you out. I'd see the doctor and talk to him/her about how you're feeling and ask if it's ok for you to continue on with those hours. Good luck

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K.H.

answers from Denver on

ABSOLUTELY! Talk to your Dr. about getting a "note" saying that because of your condition it is not safe (which is true!) to work more than a 40 hour week! I had to do the same thing, and it turned out fine. Good luck!

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L.B.

answers from Provo on

What kind of job is this? The Fair Labor Standards Act requires that you only be worked 40 hours per week and have reasonable breaks. Any overtime has to be compensated at overtime rates unless you are an exempt employee. I am not aware of any situation in which the employer can require you to work 12 hours per day 7 days per week. That is 84 hours per week, which is more than double the normal work week! Even your normal schedule is illegal - 10.5 hr per day 5 days per week - 52.5 hr per week. Not only should you see your physician per the excellent advice below, you might want to consider consulting an attorney who specializes in employment issues. These are beyond sweatshop hours. I don't think they even work the slaves in the Chinese sweatshops these kinds of hours.

My recommendation? Consult your doctor. Get written instruction to limit the hours you can work. Then immediately begin looking for another job if you need to work. Once you have secured one, quit this one. Meanwhile, seek legal advice from a qualified attorney and possibly take legal action against this unethical employer.

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L.C.

answers from Denver on

I know its been said before, but your doctor should be more than willing to write you a note saying you can't work more than 8hr days. My OB was always willing to write whatever I felt I needed as far as work goes.

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M.M.

answers from Fort Collins on

Every pregnancy is different so don't make yourself feel guilty or weak because you are comparing yourself to other pregnant women. Listen to your body because you can always get another job but you only get one shot at growing a healthy baby. I'd also suggest talking to your doctor about the pain you are experiencing. Look afteryourself because that also means your looking after your baby.

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J.S.

answers from Denver on

Definitely get a doctor's note!

When I was pregnant with my first son I worked in a physically demanding environment, with mandatory overtime (at the employer's discretion) that could result in 12 hour shifts, 6 days a week. I just couldn't keep up.

At the recommendation of our union representative I asked my doctor to write a note stating that I could not work more than 8 hours a day, 5 days a week due to medical reasons. They knew I was pregnant, but that doctor's note made it illegal for my employer to let me work more than 40 hours a week. A few times I even asked to work a little of the overtime because I was feeling good, and they wouldn't let me as long as that note was in effect. Also, I was only a temporary employee, so it's not like I was protected by FMLA or anything, and they still had to accept my doctor's note and follow the instructions regarding the amount of hours I could work each day/week.

Good luck!

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A.B.

answers from New York on

Hmmmm. As an employer I would not want a pregnant person 6 months and up working that long, just for the sake of liability. You could go into premature labor, be injured who knows what depending on what your job is. You didn't say what the pain is. Do you mean all over body ache? That is typical if you work long hours and are pregnant. Tired? Heck yea you are in your third trimester and you body is changing dramatically. I think you should talk to your dr. They can write a note discouraging more than an 8 hr 5 day week. Most jobs would take his note seriously. I worked in retail standing 10 hours a day and I worked till the day I went into labor. But aside from swollen ankles in the last month I had felt great. Each pregnancy is different. Best of luck and I hope you can get a break.

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H.P.

answers from Springfield on

You've gotten some good answers here.. definitely talk to your doctor and see if s/he will write a recommendation to your employer (HR folks need to see it too.. and your supervisor) that you be on your feet only a certain amount of hours due to a difficult pregnancy/other named difficulties, etc., thus either shortening your work day or the amount of time you spend standing. This is my 3rd pregnancy (I'm 8 months along) and I cannot imagine working full time right now. I'm in so much pain and discomfort that I wouldn't be able to maintain employment. I worked full time during my first pregnancy and it was really hard during the last trimester.. I had to bring a floor mat in my office and lay down often to make the cramps go away, I had to put my feet up due to severe swelling. My boss did not like that but I did not care-- putting one's feet up for medical reasons is acceptable. I worked until she was full term and I had her.. but she had a stroke during delivery and has been undergoing therapy ever since. What caused the stroke? Who really knows.. but the bottom line is this: take care of YOU and take care of your unborn baby. Period. Work should ALWAYS take second fiddle. I do not work anymore outside the home so that I can do just that. Fortunately we are in the position that I can do that and I know not everyone can, but maybe there is a different job you can take that will allow you more flexibility especially if your current employer will not. Best of luck to you and hang in there!! I'm feelin' your pain sistah, really I am! Was up all night with false contractions! Ugh! :)

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