Nursing in New Zealand, Pregnancy

A Momentous Day

Today was a momentous day.

Today, at nearly 27 weeks pregnant, I had to go up a size in my scrubs.  The pants were still fitting semi-OK, but the top was t-i-g-h-t.  Scrubs are great – they’re flexible and roomy – but even they have their limits!

Also talked with my nurse manager, re: maternity leave.  She has no problem with me coming off night shift and doing strictly days from here on out {yay!}.  She wasn’t too thrilled about my decision to work till 38 weeks, though.  I said that I was happy to defer to her judgment, but my preference is to continue the 12 hour shifts till week 36, drop down to two 8 hour shifts a week from weeks 36 – 37, and then take off at 38 weeks.  We compromised.  My manager is not going to put me on the schedule starting at 34 weeks and if I want to come in and work, I just call.  I’ll be considered a “bonus” nurse, but since I won’t be on the schedule, they won’t be depending on me and therefore won’t be left in the lurch if I decide to start my leave sooner than 38 weeks.

Sounds good to me.  It takes some of the pressure off while giving me the flexibility to work if I want, but take time off, too.  All in all, a good day.

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11 thoughts on “A Momentous Day

  1. I know – that is what I’m used to, too. It was a shock to realize how flexible they are over here. My manager was like, “You need to relax – put your feet up before baby arrives!” I was like, “You mean you don’t expect me to work until I go into labor?!”

  2. I’m so glad you have a nice boss. 🙂 I will say that I was surprised at how tired I would get just walking to work. By the end of the pregnancy, you are lugging that extra 20 pounds around and not sleeping well, so you may be glad that she has you on as a bonus nurse. I worked up until 37 weeks, but I was so ready to be done, and I only worked 4 hours a day and was not standing most of the time, unlike you. Glad things are going well with your pregnancy, Jenny!

  3. today was momentous for me too – I finally got back to pre preggo weight. Okay, so it took me 18+ months, but better late than never!

    I can’t believe you haven’t had to move up scrub size before now!

    It’ll be nice to have a little wiggle room at the end. relax and watch movies I say 🙂

  4. That sounds like a great plan! I can’t imagine working nights while pregnant. Their view of working while pregnant is awesome. My hospital’s maternity leave is so awful that most nurses work up until they deliver!

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