Started 2nd job - on my feet for 8 hours!!!

Ok, I started a second job this week and I'm on my feet for 8 hours! I have to lift stuff, bend down, actually move and I'm so not used to this. My back is KILLING me! I really need the money this job is going to bring in, but I don't know if I can physically do this. I know I could do this if I wasn't pregnant, but I need to sit down occassionally. I got lightheaded and dizzy the first hour on the first day and had to get a chair, which they don't let employees have. This shouldn't be dangerous for the baby should it? I'm making sure I'm drinking plenty of water, but bending and lifting and standing in one spot for so long is really taking a toll. Anyway, I had to vent. I don't know if I should keep pressing on or just quit now. The job itself I like and it's not hard, it's just this on my feet for so long, my back and feet are dying.

Honestly, I'd probably give it no more than a week and quit if it isn't better.  I can't fathom being on my feet all day at this point.  I just go out shopping for a couple hours on Saturday and come home and collapse.  No way could I handle a job like that at this stage in pregnancy...or when I was 25 weeks.

That's what I'm thinking. I know that the first week they are having me work alot more cause they are training me and so I'm working 40 hours this week! I'm only hired to do 16 hours a week. Two 8 hour shifts which I think will be more doable than five 8 hour shifts like I'm doing this week. I've only done 2 days though, I just have today and the weekend left and I'm so tired already.

oh wow!! that's crazy. it's pretty much everything were not supposed to do while pregnant. I know the money is needed but what if you hurt yourself?? :( I can't imagine how it would feel to have to do that all day. I hope you can work something out to be able to sit for a little!

It's working in the cafeteria of a hospital. So I work on the register for a while (which is when I grabbed a chair) and then later on, it's stocking things like, juice, pop, chips, etc and I have to bend down into low cupboards to pick up heavy boxes of drinks and restock. Then it's just back and forth, restocking and cashiering depending on when people come in. Then after the cafeteria closes, cleaning a salad bar, which I can't reach cause my belly is in the way, I have to turn sideways and then clean it, which the twisting motion might not be good, I don't know. Then I help put away dishes until it's time to go home.

I am nurse and was on my feet 8hrs a day but when I charted I could sit but I was lifting and transfering people some 300lbs. I had to work I had no choice I conitued this until 37 weeks a week before she was born mainly because I was having NST's 3-5x a week and I worked 40+ hrs a week. Sometimes I would go to the bathroom just to sit a minute! Good luck try it and see but if you start having problems then quit but if your not high risk you should be okay. My OB didnt want me to lift over 25lbs but I was high risk! 

Make the money while you can, it only gets harder to work!

I would tell them that you can't do the lifting. I am 30 weeks and barely make it through the grocery store without needing to sit! lol I make a ton of trips carrying things into the house from the car and usually have to rest in the middle. I've been on lifiting restrictions since the beginning though.

I'd see how you feel doing the 2 16-hour days and take it from there.

Good luck!
Liz

You need to give your body a few weeks to adjust. I worked with most of my pregnancies until 38 weeks lifting 40+ pound items daily. It comes down to your body getting use to the work. If you really start to have issues I would get a note from your OB and give it to the manager.

I totally understand- I'm at 27 weeks with twins and my job is on my feet all day, bending and lifting, etc. Luckily most of the other team members are really helpful if I need to lift or with pulling things out for me that I can't quite get, which is nice. I can't sit down at all, unless it's lunch or break. It's tough but what choice do I have? I have bills to pay, and twins don't pay for themselves. If it's only two shifts after training, I say yough it out and try a few of the shorter weeks. Hopefully that will work better, and the money will be helpful. Good luck.

Carrie