Is it ok to go back to work a week after delivering a baby?

Question

I had my baby two weeks ago vaginally. I was 5 months and I lost her because she came to early. So I went back to work a week after having her to keep my mind occupied. I am a homecare giver. I was just wondering since it was not a term delivery was this ok for my body?

Answer 1

I mean this is a personal choice.  If you felt ready and the doctor was ok with it then I guess it was fine.  Emotionally some might not be ready than physically.

Answer 2

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Most physicians recommend that you stay out of work for 6 weeks following a vaginal delivery, not just to care for the baby but also to heal after giving birth. I can understand the desire to get back to work and try and resume normalcy,l but it is important that you speak with your OB and make sure you are cleared to return to work. However, if you do decide to continue working just make sure you are only doing light work and not straining  yourself.

Again, so sorry for your loss.

Answer 3

Yes, it's ok.  A five month baby would not have stressed your body anywhere near as much as a full term delivery, so cannot be looked at the same as a full term birth.  If your bleeding has stopped or nearly so, you're fine to resume all your normal activities.

Keep in mind, your body will tell you if you're doing too much and you really need to listen if it does!

In the past and in other countries, it's not unusual for an otherwise healthy woman to go back to work the same day she delivers a child, you're certainly not doing anything wrong!

Answer 4

Well I would have waited a little longer than a week to go back to work, but if your not having any pain or other problems due to delivery then you may be ok. Just take it easy. I'm sorry to hear what happened to you. Try doing other things as well to keep your mind off of it. If you end up feeling to depressed about it, try talking to someone to help you get thru this difficult time in your life. :(  

Answer 5

How awful for you! I can understand why you want to keep yourself occupied, but you do need to give your body time to heal and your heart time to grieve. I recommend seeing a counsellor so you can debrief. This is not a sign of weakness, rather it can help you to process what has happened and cope with your loss.

Answer 6

Yes and no, it depends on your specific situation.  

The loss of the baby aside, how is your body feeling?  If it's ready to go, just be sure to take it easy for the first few weeks.  

If you're still overtired and weak, give your body more time to heal and recuperate.

Once you've got the body part answered, turn to your emotional state.  Yes, it's good to get your mind off of it at times, but be sure to allow yourself to grieve for your child.  If you just work to ward off feeling the loss, you're not helping yourself.  You need to properly grieve or it will come back to bite you later.  

I'm very sorry for your loss.  I lost a baby too, although it was earlier on than you, but I at least have some idea of how you must feel.

Answer 7

Theoretically it is OK. But from experience you will regret it in the long run for not having spent more time with your baby. You could never go back on time.

Answer 8

Physically it should be fine. Emotionally it's up to you. You may be doing it to take your mind off whats happened to you which is fine, but it might take some time to catch up with you. God Bless.

Answer 9

Jessye,

You need time to grieve this heavy loss. If you run away from the pain and do not deal with the loss - it may come back at some future time and be harder to deal with.

It is like any wound, if you clean it bandage it and rest it, it will heal well and faster. But, if you let a wound be hidden and untended it will fester and get infected and be much harder to heal.

Please be gentle with yourself and don't overdo. I lost 3 pregnancies in the first trimester. Each one was a heavy loss and deeply grievous to me and my husband. I'm so sorry your baby died, it is a terrible loss.

Your body will go through all the hormonal changes as though you had a full-term pregnancy. Take care of yourself and if you have any persistent, deep negative feelings that you can't shake you need to be seen in case of post partum depression. This is a real, hormonal depression - not just moodiness.  By taking proper care of yourself now you will be better prepared for any future pregnancies you have.

Answer 10

no  that was not a good idea. you should have gave yourself a little time to heal.

Answer 11

Not good at all. I'm sorry for your loss. That must be very hard to cope with. But you have to give your body time to heal before you start working again. I would say a good 4-6 weeks.

Answer 12

In an ideal situation, no. This is clearly not an ideal situation.

In your case,  you have to balance between what is best for your body, and best for your mind, and only you can make that call right now.

If you honestly feel best at work, go. But perhaps ask your charge nurse - or whomever supervises you directly- and your ob/gyn or midwife about limited physical duty, as you don't want to do anything to further insult your body.

What's most important, is that whatever you choose, you find a way that gives you the ability and time to grieve your loss.

Take it easy on yourself, whatever that means for *you*.

Answer 13

Wow, I'm so sorry that happened to you. Check with your doctor first.  

Answer 14

I don't think that is a good idea. Maybe you should try other things to keep your mind off of it. Sorry for your loss.  

Answer 15

Yes you have to make your money

Answer 16

If you have an epidural I don't think your body will have recovered yet.  I gave birth naturally and went home the same day. After one week I was fine and could have worked.  Natural childbirth doesn't put your body through as much and therefore you get back to your prepregnancy self much quicker.  If you add medical interventions like induction or pain management you will have a much more difficult time recuperating.  

Answer 17

It depends. If you're up on your feet and roaring to go back to your workplace it may be the best thing to do.

Try small workouts to test your stamina.

If you're stressed i recommend you take more weeks off.

Answer 18

Think about what will help you heal easier.  Will it be on your mind all the time at work and thus damage your work ego and the way others feel about your competency (especially since customers don't know your story, you may have a sudden hormonal or emotional outburst)?

Take time to really do what is going to be best for your personal healing.  Everyone is different.  This is a time to truely think about yourself and what is right for you.  I think your body will recover fine no matter what you do if you are a healthy women.  

Thereis nothing I can say that will make it easier, but know that the people around you are there for you.  It's ok to cry, but don't forget to pick yourself up by the boot straps at the end of the day and keep going.  

I'm very sorry for your loss.

Answer 19

im sorry to hear that

personayl i would do what u think is best

i know it will

keep ur mind of thing if u go back

but i would still wait a few weeks for ur boady

to recover

im sorry to here this sad news

x

Answer 20

First of all I'm so very sorry for your loss. I hate to hear that. I hope that you are doing okay. As far as your question, it probably would have been better to take a few weeks to heal, but you are the best judge as to what your body can handle. If you feel that you can handle going to work and that it was best for your piece of mind then I'm sure you will be okay. Just take some time for yourself when you can  and relax a little . Don't push yourself. God Bless