Dr says to stop working...Vent

So I have been so busy this week trying to finish up at the office but wanted to share that at my Dr appointment on Tuesday he told me I need to stop working ASAP and semi-bed rest, he said the baby is so low he couldnt get his head or face on the sonogram at all. he said that thats why i have been feeling so much pressure down there when i walk. I was hoping to work till at least October 23rd (5 days before my due date) so i couldnt just come into work on Tuesday and say see ya!! I am trying to finsih all my projects up and get a new paralegal/legal exec. trained in my absence.

Only problem is i really feel it these days especially the hour commute each way on the train ( I live in brooklyn and commute to midtown) my back kills and the carpul tunnel in my hands is torture especially since i have to write and type up a lot of documents before I leave.

I am not teling my Dr but I told my office next friday will have to be my last day. Should I feel bad not listening to the Dr? I am coming back to my job after 12 weeks (after baby's born) so i dont want to leave everything a mess and up in the air but I am just worried that well he must have told me to stop working for a reason. (he also said he is worried about toxoplasemia bc he thinks MOST of my weight gain is all water weight and he can see it in my face. ( I had gained 38 pounds as of 34 weeks and now showing 34 pound weight gain at 35 weeks, I lost 4 pounds). He also keeps saying he thinks I will go early...

I need to focus on my work but I just cant seem to

Re: Dr says to stop working...Vent

I feel if he believes you shouldn't be working, then an entire week is way too long. It's not worth risking you or your babies health. I understand if you want to work today and maybe monday to sort stuff out, but the whole week seems excessive. JMHO Hope everything works out for you.

Re: Dr says to stop working...Vent

If you have to lie to your doc, it's not a good idea. I wouldn't do that without talking to my doc and trying to get his ok and seeing how big a risk it is. If he ultimately said it's not a good idea, I would listen. Baby comes first.

Re: Dr says to stop working...Vent

Re: Dr says to stop working...Vent

Your baby is so much more important than making sure your job is covered. I would speak with them about some help finishing up and tell them you are under Dr's orders to stop ASAP! They can not hold you accountable for that. This about your health and the baby's health.

Re: Dr says to stop working...Vent

I would totally listen to your Dr. especially if he is expressing concerns. Maybe you can work from home?

My philosophy with work is that it's just that. Every company looks at you as a number and at the end of the day the only loyalty you should have is to yourself. If they need to lay you off they will and not think twice about it. KWIM. I think it's great that you're trying to make sure you leave everything at work in the best position you can, becasue I would do the same,but at the same time you can do but so much.

Your health and the health of your baby comes first. What's the point of putting both of you at risk?

That's JMHO.

Lots of hugs!

Re: Dr says to stop working...Vent

I know how you feel about wanting all your work done, iam exactly the same way. But theres not much you can do now. The doctor wants you to rest, and I would listen to him. You dint want to jeopardize you or the baby. I know its stressful for you and it may be tough when you come back, but you really should stop. Maybe you can work from home while resting. Good luck!!

Re: Dr says to stop working...Vent

I totally understand your sentiment, as I am in the legal field as well, and I know when you have a bad case load or projects underway, you feel terrible about leaving them-but your lil one comes first. If you are not supposed to be working anymore, you need to listen to the doctor.

This is what I do when I don't feel well (I am a law clerk in Florida/admitted attorney in NY)-I remotely connect to the computer and do my work at home from the laptop. I know it is hard when you don't have the physical file in front of you, but this way, you can be somewhat connected.

In this day and age with telecommuting, emails, and phones, you should be able to do everything from home. Perhaps you can ask the new paralegal to scan something in to the computer so you can walk him or her through it. That is what I am doing as I get further along-I keep my boss updated on everything via my time sheet with my billables so that if I have to go out, she is not stuck. Ask your boss if they have remote connections via gotomypc or logmein.

FM me if I can help!

Re: Dr says to stop working...Vent

Re: Dr says to stop working...Vent

I appreciate all the support and know that everyone is right. I have been making my assistant do all my grunt work and have pretty much been working from my desk (although today my back kills).

I am seeing my Dr on tuesday morning bfeore work and will be honest and tell him that I was planning to finish up until next friday and see what he says. I plan to have all my major projects (time sensitive contracts and state applications, done by today and plan to take what I dont finsih home for over the weekend).

I love this baby more then life and dont want to do anything to harm either of us. My personality just doesnt allow for me to leave things undone especially when it comes to work, im wired that way!! LOL..

I promise to really rest all weekend and I will be taking Monday for the holiday so hopefully next week will not be so bad and baby and me will be ok.

Are the doctors ever right when they say they think the baby is going to come early?

Thanks everyone

Re: Dr says to stop working...Vent

I value doctors opinions and education, (DH is a doctor), but I also feel like there is a lot they don't know about their individual patients bodies. They know about numbers and statistics, but they aren't psychic and can't feel what you feel.

Are you just uncomfortable are you really feeling like you need rest? Trust your gut and feeling to make a good decision for yourself and baby.

Also keep in mind OB Physicians have the highest premiums for malpractice insurance. So sometimes I feel they are overbearingly cautious. He has to tell you to do bed rest, because he has been taught that in watever-% cases there is a risk when the baby is so low. So he has to tell you that to cover himself.

JMO

Re: Dr says to stop working...Vent

Posted by dnj925

I appreciate all the support and know that everyone is right. I have been making my assistant do all my grunt work and have pretty much been working from my desk (although today my back kills).

I am seeing my Dr on tuesday morning bfeore work and will be honest and tell him that I was planning to finish up until next friday and see what he says. I plan to have all my major projects (time sensitive contracts and state applications, done by today and plan to take what I dont finsih home for over the weekend).

I love this baby more then life and dont want to do anything to harm either of us. My personality just doesnt allow for me to leave things undone especially when it comes to work, im wired that way!! LOL..

I promise to really rest all weekend and I will be taking Monday for the holiday so hopefully next week will not be so bad and baby and me will be ok.

Are the doctors ever right when they say they think the baby is going to come early?

Thanks everyone

Re: Dr says to stop working...Vent

Coming from someone who had a lot of water weight gain with alot of swelling in the face, you really need to rest up as much as you can! When I had my DD, I never thought I was going to have any issues nor did I expect to go early, but DD had other plans. At 36w she decided to arrive. I totally understand wanting to get things done at work and not leaving it a mess. I am the same way. But, from what I've learned... we are all replaceable; the office will survive without you. They must! I think your plan to relax and get as much done as possible early next week is wise. I don't think your doc will be happy with your choice to remain at work, but hey- he/she's not paying the bills either! I would be prepared to go out on Wed of next week if the OB thinks its absolutely necessary. There is a reason why they advise us to stop working!! They know better than we do! Hang in there!!

Re: Dr says to stop working...Vent

same thing happened to me TWICE during my first pregnancy, both times I called my office, said sorry on bed rest. it's a pretty big risk not listening to your doctor over a job.

ets I wound up in L&D at 25 weeks w/ contractions and DC came 14 days early

Message edited 9/25/2009 3:22:11 PM.

Re: Dr says to stop working...Vent

I'm 29 weeks and one day and have been on bed rest for 2 days and a half. I had brown spotting and slight cramping on Wedn morning. Turns out I was having small contractions. I am much better now and Dr. cleared me to go back to work on Monday.

I am in the legal field, foreclosures to be exact and I am BUSY. My case load is just sitting on my desk and honestly, I don't care nor do I give a crap. My baby and my health are my priority. The Dr I saw on Wedn (not my usual Dr) yelled at me that I should have come in when he told me to and not have waited until my lunch break. It was only an hour and a half later but still. He thought it was super important for me to get to the office asap. He forbid me to go back to work after my appt.

I would seriously listen to your doctor. Work should be at the bottom of your concern list at this point. I am like you that doesn't want to leave a project unfinished but if the doctor tells you to stop working I wouldn't argue with him or convince him otherwise. They know what is best for you.