Night shifts in first tri

[Summergurl]

Does anybody else have to do nightshifts in their job? I do 2x night shifts 10pm-7am every 10days. Last week I was unbelievably tired. So much so I was sound asleep for a good 2hours at my desk on the 1st shift & 1.5hrs on my 2nd shift. It's so hard to concentrate when that tired.

How am I going to survive my night shifts?!! Anybody got any ideas? I can't really sleep in the day my body just doesn't like to sleep in the day. Even though I'll try and get up as late as I can before a first night shift it never seems enough sleep.

Work don't know I'm pregnant either yet!! I don't really want to tell them until after the family know but I am dreading my 2 night shifts this week because of the tiredness.

 

[Deedee2016]

I do night shifts and have done two sets since being pregnant. I've found I sleep better the following day as I'm just exhausted these days x

 

[Summergurl]

Do you find you're tired on nights no matter how much sleep you've had?x

 

[Clare80]

I do nights. If I told work I wouldn't have to do them, but I want to wait as long as possible before I do. I can sleep in the day luckily.

 

[Jojo84]

I'm
In tri2 now but I'm
On permanent nights... I have quite a heavy job and I was shattered first trimester, 2nd trimester I'm having my stitching pains and restless legs, but it's not so bad.

If you're not permanent nights I would ask to switch, your boss should keep it confidential.

 

[Elleyoung777]

I understand you want to tell your family first but I think you need to tell them. They need to do a risk assessment and make reasonable adjustments for you. They may not be able to take you off your nights but if they know at least they can have some understanding. It also covers you as if you're falling asleep that could be potentially dangerous. Guessing you're in some sort of care role?

 

[Summergurl]

No not care, I'm in an emergency services role. I slept again last night for 2 hours & my thoughts were just like yours: it's getting dangerous. I am going to tell them next week when I start back again, it'll be before the family but I cannot go on being so tired on shift.

 

[Elleyoung777]

No and I've known ppl to be fired for sleeping during waking nights hun

 

[Jojo84]

You can't sleep for 2 hours on nightshift - no offence but If you worked with me I would report you - I know you can't help it but unless you're supposed to sleep
On nights you need to tell them you are too exhausted to do it (and don't mention you're falling asleep)

 

[Summergurl]

There's no problem with sleeping on nights for us work is very laid back.
I did call in sick on my last night shift and when I go back next week I shall be letting my supervisor know. It'll only be a couple days before we tell the family & he may put me onto a different shift rather than have me doing a full night shift.