Should I be getting ready for mod. bedrest/bedrest

This may be really stupid, but I have a few concerns.

First of all a little backround about me. I work 4 days a week, 12 hours a day in a jail. My position puts me in a room with me and my partner. I control all of the movement on my floor for the inmates. I climb a latter to get where I sit so I can see all the inmates. The chairs are barstool height, the counters are tall. I do not have any place for me to put my feet up during the day. Besides, I am too busy.

Here is the issue: My legs and ankles are very swollen by the end of the day. I can feel the swelling, but it is not uncomfortable. I also feel the swelling in my hips, elbows and hands. DH is trying his hardest to get me to go on a modified duty. The problem is.....ME. I emotionally do not want to leave my shift. I really like the people I work with and do not want to leave my position.

I called the advise nurse and they told me that swelling is normal. If the swelling goes to my hands and face, then be concerned. It is in my hands....

Here is what I have come up with in my mind. On my days off, sit on the couch with my feet up and take it easy. The problem is: I have so much to do and am not ready for this. I have to clean up from Christmas. I have to clean out the new room to be a guest room. The room needs paint and be put back together.

I have a Dr. appointment on the 5th and I will definately be talking with him about my concerns.

I think I may be slightly panicing......

Jenn

 

I don't think your concerns are stupid at all! :hug: When I was right around where you are my Dr suggested I start taking it easy and cut back on hours at work. I came up with a ton of reasons why I needed to continue to working and getting things done etc.... I was uncomfortable but I justified it by telling myself I was pregnant with twins.

At 24 weeks I went into L&D because I didn't feel right. It was then I found out I was in PTL with contractons, dilation, funnelling and a positive fFN test. I was immediately put on hospital bedrest for the remainder of my pregnancy. I am not trying to scare you, but it is so important to take it easy. It sounds to me like you know that you should probably cut back on these things... You need to listen to your body. Who knows why I went into PTL, but I still blame myself for doing too much.

Definitely talk to your Dr at your next appointment and see what he/she says. :hug: Good Luck!!

 

Hey Jenn,

Most doctors will request that you take off work by 27 weeks. Some will let you work longer as long as you are feeling well, but most want you to take it easy earlier than a woman who is pregnant with a singleton. My OB once told me that a woman pregnant with twins will experience things 4 - 6 weeks sooner than a woman pregnant with a singleton. So, that means that at 22 weeks, your already going through things that normally wouldn't occur until around 26 or 28 weeks.

It seems like you don't have much of an opportunity for adequate rest at work and if the doctor thinks that will be a problem you probably are looking at having a reduction in work load sooner than you may want. Although you may not need the extra rest now, you will be glad for it if your doc makes it mandatory. Swelling is definitely a problem with twin pregnancy, but in my experience, the only way I could keep my swelling under control was to keep my feet propped up or stay off of them completely--and I didn't have any complications. It only gets worse, too (sorry, I don't mean to put a damper on things).

I know you have loads to do, but you may have to just let some things go so you can rest well. I really think that the fact that I did not rest good enough led to my pre-term labor. Not saying that will happen to you, but you don't want to put yourself in jeporady of going into pre-term labor.

I hope you had a great Christmas!!

Oh, and no questions are ever stupid questions!!

 

You need to take an easy being pregnant is hard enough then you add the fact your carrying 2 !! I know you don' t want to have to give up your work and I know you prob have so much to get done but you should always listen to your body and the dr they know best you want 2 healthy babies!!

 

Ditto the previous posters' advice. That sounds like a LOT to ask of your body at this point in a twin pregnancy. Do talk to your OB, but I'm guessing she/he will say that the 12-hour shifts in those conditions are just too much. (((hugs)))) I fully understand it can be hard to accept the limitations that a pregnancy--especially a multiple pregnancy--brings, but we just have to deal with those limitations the best we can, with grace and strength rather than fighting them.

 

I'm just gonna ditto everyone else, and it sounds like you probably do know what's "right" for you but it's very hard to accept :hug:

My peri told me my first appt, the best things I could do for these babies was eat good food and REST! He stressed the REST because I have 2 kids already and rest isn't always a priority. It's hard, thankfully my son is nearly 7 and he lets me nap in the afternoon when my 2 yr old daughter naps, so I'm getting as much rest as I possibly can right now!

 

I think you need to do what is best for you and your babies. Your work will be there when you go back. I also have an apt on the 5th and i previously declined being taken off work but now at 28 weeks I am soo done. I will be talking to her about no longer working. I wish you luck with all you are going through. Best wishes!!!