Working as a Nurse While Pregnant: What to Expect When You’re Expecting

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Finding out that you’re pregnant is a time full of emotions. From happiness to stress, no doubt you’ll find yourself feeling overwhelmed. For healthcare workers, thoughts may then jump to work and how you’ll manage your job during pregnancy.

Working as a nurse while pregnant is no easy feat – you’re essentially caring for lives while creating a life at the same time! Due to the hands-on and often demanding nature of the job, there are a few things nurses can do while pregnant to make for a smooth pregnancy.

The physical challenges when working as a nurse while pregnant

Working as a nurse presents many physical challenges for mums-to-be. What’s already a physically demanding job becomes even more so when carrying a baby. Being on your feet all day is undoubtedly one of your biggest concerns – especially as you progress in the pregnancy. Other physical challenges include:

  • Managing nausea at work
  • Heavy lifting
  • Increased stress
  • Exhaustion (physical and mental)
  • Prolonged standing and walking
  • Exposure to infection

The emotional challenges when working as a nurse while pregnant

Aside from the physical demands of working as a nurse while pregnant are the mental ones that come with it. Dealing with the new emotions of pregnancy whilst working in an emotionally charged environment is an extremely challenging thing. Remember to seek support if you’re struggling.

How to manage working as a nurse while pregnant

Keep your doctor updated

Your health comes first. Talk to your OBGYN about your job and how you should manage it as soon as possible. Be transparent and let them know precisely what your job entails on a daily basis. Consider your work plan as an ongoing project instead of a set plan. What your body needs may change throughout your pregnancy, so evolve your plan to meet these needs.

Be transparent with your manager and team

Your pregnancy will affect your work to some degree, as well as your colleagues, which is why you need to be transparent with your co-workers. You might not want to tell everyone straight away, which is fine but keep your immediate supervisor posted so that someone is aware of your situation in case of an emergency. You may also like someone to know as certain smells might begin to affect your nausea, or your cravings might kick in!

Stock up on snacks and stay hydrated

Speaking of cravings, snacks are very important. During pregnancy, your eating habits will change, so it’s important to listen to your body. You may have been able to go a complete shift without food if you were busy, but it’s important to keep up your nutrition. Keep snacks in your pockets if you don’t have time for a full break, and ensure you’re eating healthy, energising food.

Drinking plenty of water is also crucial in keeping your body hydrated. The benefits of drinking water during pregnancy include combating fatigue, prevention of constipation and nutrient absorption. If it’s not in your nature to drink water, set an alarm or reminder on your phone to take conscious water breaks.

Invest in compression socks and quality footwear

You’re on your feet a lot as a nurse, but during pregnancy, this is going to become a lot more uncomfortable. Wearing high-quality footwear is important in preventing foot, leg and back pain whilst on your feet. You should look for something that offers good arch support, a well-cushioned design, and slip-resistant soles to prevent falls. Shoes with moisture-wicking fabric or similar help to vent sweat and heat away from your body so your feet will stay cool and dry.

Compression socks are another great thing for nurses to invest in whilst pregnant. During pregnancy, blood volume increases by roughly 45% but can fluctuate. Additionally, your DVT risk is higher, your body weight is higher, and your growing uterus can increase the venous pressure in your legs. Wearing compression socks or stockings will make a noticeable difference in swelling and discomfort throughout the day.

Get plenty of sleep

There’s no such thing as too much sleep during pregnancy – especially when working long shifts. Aim to get 8 hours of sleep every day to give your body a chance to reset and switch off.

Reconsider night shift

Shift work is exhausting – even when you’re not pregnant. Trying to keep up with the demands of night shift might be too much when you’re pregnant. If you’re on a rotating roster, it might seem impossible to get your body rested for your next lot of shifts. Your doctor can advise you as to whether it’s safe to continue working night-shift or if they recommend you to switch to a day-shift-only roster throughout your pregnancy.

Discuss modified working arrangements

Nursing involves a lot of physical work. Depending on the department you work in, the demands may cause your body to become quickly fatigued. Talk to your supervisor about alternative tasks you can take on or a modified role you can step into throughout your pregnancy. This could involve working at the computer, organising paperwork or auditing patient charts.

Take breaks and know your limits

Listen to your body. If it’s screaming for a break, don’t try and push through. Talk to your supervisor about limiting the amount of overtime you do, and don’t be afraid to ask for breaks if you need a moment to put your feet up during your shift.

Invest in a quality pair of scrubs

Lastly, your comfort is vital during pregnancy. Investing in a pair of quality scrubs allows for maximum comfort throughout every stage of your pregnancy. Maternity scrubs are specially designed for pregnant nurses and health care professionals and expand to accommodate your baby bump while offering more stretch than traditional scrubs.

Pregnancy is an exciting time for mums-to-be but can be stressful when juggling working as a nurse and handling the physical and mental demands the job throws at you. Be prepared for anything with the new Biz Care range of maternity wear. Head to your closest stockist today to try on yours!