Question: How long should my wife work

We are expecting twins, 26 weeks and 6 days. I am concerned about the amout of time my wife is working. She is a new school teacher and has lots of things to get done. She also teaches special Ed and the students can be a little rough. There were no problems with our last vistit but I stay worried about the long hours, the possiblity of one of her students hurting her or the babies. I would like her to go to half days or stop working all together, is this just an unreasonable fear? Is it unfair of me to want her to stay home and make sure these babies get into the world as healthy as possible. Does anyone have a similar problem, how long should she work, should we just wait untill the doctor tells her to stop working. I am very concerned. Any advice?

 

I would wait until the Dr pulls her out of work. I would have been pulled out at about 26-28 weeks, But i am a stay at home mom. Voice you concerns with the Dr and see what he thinks..

 

I am a teacher and the dr wanted me off my feet around 28 weeks. Spring break came at 26 weeks so that is when I stopped.

 

I was teaching part time when I was pregnant with my twins and my OB said she would pull me out of work anytime I felt it was too much. She would not give me a specific date because you just never know how you are going to feel, but said I could let her know at any time I had had enough and needed to stop working.

I know what long hours teachers put in and how much stress goes along with the job, not to mention standing. I only worked part-time then. I tried to sit as much as possible and my principal was aware of this and very supportive.

You said your wife is a new teacher so that could be a bit trickier if this is her first year. But ultimately your babies should come first.

QUOTE
would like her to go to half days or stop working all together, is this just an unreasonable fear? Is it unfair of me to want her to stay home and make sure these babies get into the world as healthy as possible.


No it not unreasonable of you to feel like this, however it may not be practical. You just want the best for your wife and children.

How does you wife feel about all of this?

 

QUOTE(summerfun @ Aug 24 2007, 09:46 PM) [snapback]379318[/snapback]
How does you wife feel about all of this?

She is dedicated professional and feels torn between her students and her babies.

 

I am a teacher also so I can totally relate. I feel for her because I remember all the extra things I did as a new teacher to make a good impression. I can"t imagine going through my twin pregnancy as a new teacher. My doctor pulled me out at 28 weeks when my blood pressure started getting high. As much as I kept saying I wasn't stressed, I know I still was. I wanted to keep doing all the extra and innovative things that I had always done. It was very difficult because I ended up missing 4.5 months which is basically half of the school year. I think as long as your wife is closely monitored by you and her OB then she should be fine. I would have her stop at the first signs of any trouble. I am very glad that my OB pulled me out because I was developing preeclampsia and it just kept getting worse. I don't think I would have even made it to 31.5 weeks if my doctor wasn't so vigilant. I wish you and your wife lots of luck.

 

I was working half days after 20 weeks and then stopped working after my 28th week. My doctor was concerned because I was commuting into the city daily and managing a couple of groups of people (stress!). I would talk to the doctor at your next visit. I know your wife is probably torn, with this being a new job, but the doctor will have her do whatever is in the best interest of the babies.

 

I am a teacher also and I guess my drs are pretty cautious b/c at 21 weeks they wanted me to stop working, but I had 2 more wks left in the school year. They let me finish and in hindsight it was a tough 2 weeks. I give your wife a lot of credit. I am now almost 32 wks and unable to go back to work in Sept. You have to trust your drs, but the beginning of the year is tough-she needs to sit with her feet up as much as possible. Good luck and tell her to take it easy if that is all possible being a teacher! :blink:

 

QUOTE(heavy @ Aug 24 2007, 11:54 PM) [snapback]379377[/snapback]
She is dedicated professional and feels torn between her students and her babies.



I can understand that. I think she should talk to her OB and see what he/she thinks. They may want her to stop working as well.

 

I am a teacher too and I could not imagine being on my feet that much while pregnant. I was fortunate in that I had taken a new job at the district office right when I found out I was pregnant which was a blessing in disguise. It got me off my feet and I was able to work longer than I probably would have been in the classroom. Even then, I was pulled out at 24 weeks due to preterm labor.

Of course she feels torn, and as a new teacher she is still establishing her career. But there will always be more students and other school years. Your wife has ONE shot at this pregnancy. So when the doctor and she (and you) feel it is time, stop working with the confidence that you all made the right decision. Whether that is at 26 weeks or 32 weeks.

 

If she feels that she can handle still working full time then that is good. I worked full time up to 29 weeks. I am working part time now and will continue to work until I am 35 weeks. My OB thinks as long as I can handle it then I am fine. However, she did say that when I am not working I am resting and doing nothing else.

Good Luck!

 

First of all, you are not being unreasonable. It sounds to me as if you are a caring, doting husband. That's wonderful . Secondly, maybe she can try to stay off of her feet as much as possible and trim the long hours? I know, easier said than done. You can also play it by ear and see if dr. has any suggestions. Good luck.

 

I am a school teacher and have been teaching for the last ten years. School is alot of stress, but she only needs to do what she can at school and then come home and rest. I am a teacher that puts 150% into my job and I loved my children, but I did have to just learn to leave it at school and start again the next day. I was put on bedrest at 31 weeks because of b/p problems. Please make sure she comes home and puts her feet up and drinks plenty of water. Good Luck!

 

I'm a teacher and only 13 weeks into my pregnancy, but I plan to teach as long as possible. I teach music and have a concert scheduled for when I am 28 weeks. Obviously, if my health or the babies health indicate I need to slow down before that, I will. I asked my doctor if I should cancel the concert now and she said there is no reason to do that yet. I'm just going to wait and see how things go. I've already resigned myself to the fact that I will have to do a lot of my teaching sitting down this year. I've never done that before. I'm also imagining myself directing a concert from a chair or stool. I'll do what I have to do, I guess.

 

Thx to everyone who replied, I'll keep you posted

 

I think your wife will come around soon - if her body tells her to.
I really thought I was going to be "superwoman" and work until the end. I actually work two jobs - one is an adjunct professor where I teach at night. I actually accepted a teaching position where I teach until Sept. 19 and have a c-section scehduled for Sept. 20th!
However, last week I realized my body is finally saying "STOP"!!
I worked it out with my boss to work from home full time now and turned my class into an "on line" instead of an "in person" class with the students permission (they are grad students, so a little more reasonable). If my boss or students wouldn't budge - I would have stopped everything and let the chips fall where they may.
Some women are able to work and feel great right until it is time to deliver. Others need to cut back when they are still in the first trimester. Every person's body is different as is their pregnancy. Just let her know that you support her and really show her that you all will be fine if there is a drop in income due to her being off - I think that will be one of the best things to help her really tune into her own body. Also, at every appointment - ask about activity level. I finally started to ask and the doctors reactions were all "of course, you should be cutting back by now". They assumed that I "knew" and I assumed they would tell me.

 

I worked with children with special needs when i was pregnant and i worked up untill 32 weeks ( went on to have them at 32.4 weeks). I think i maybe should have slowed down a bit but i felt absolutley fine up untill 32 weeks exactly and i just got so tired i couldnt go on any more. Tell you wife to listen to her body and if it gets too much stop. Dont try and push yourself as thats when you will go into PTL x

 

I think it is wonderful you are supportive and concerned. However I would defer to your wife on this. She knows her body and how she feels. As a pp stated everyone handles being pg differently. She should listen to her doctor's advice as much as possible. You can faciliate this by going to her appointments and making sure she is listening and not bargaining too much. Also recognize that she may needto keep working for herself. I am currently going through this. With so much out of my control as a first tme mom, I use my work as familiar turf. My life is going to change a lot and continuing to work is my way of keeping it "normal" as long as possible. Finally you can try and do as much as possible outside work to help her relax. Good luck and keep us posted.