Shift work & ttc.

mamicoch · Jan 22nd, 2011, 20:03 PM

Just wondered how many others there are ttc who work nights?
I work constant nights on a 4 on 4 off basis, and wonder whether this has any effect on ttc?
I read that night shift workers have higher risk of mc, and I had one in July, so plan on going off for a little while as soon as I get a BFP!

It's not just the night shifts that worry me, it's the nature of the work. I'm a home carer, and we are providing care for a minimum of 11 people, most of which are bed ridden and require complex manual handling. I guess we're also at high risk of infection too, as we deal with all sorts of bodily fluids (tmi!), and we're out and about through the night in all weathers!

Anybody else worry about the impact their job has?

aliss · Jan 22nd, 2011, 20:08 PM

I did 4 on 4 off when I was TTC too (2 days, 2 nights, 7-7/7-7). I had a different job (I work in a police department) but I think a lot of the risks are from lifestyle that many shift workers have (ie. poorer diet, poorer sleep habits, stress from not living 'normal' hours, stress from the particular job). I think your best bet is just to minimize those particular risks as best as you can. Good luck

katertots · Jan 22nd, 2011, 20:08 PM

I am not worried about myself and my work, but my husband is on a rotating shift. Every week it changes in and out of 4 shifts. Recently he just applied and got a job that he works mostly days but if someone is out on rotation he has to fill in for them. I will tell you that it was alot harder to DTD in that time.

aliss · Jan 22nd, 2011, 20:10 PM

Also for the MC risk. Shift workers do tend to smoke/drink a lot of coffee (moreso than recommended caffeine) out of desperation, including sleeping pills (yes when pg, I've seen it!) so there's quite a few factors in it. By going against your body's natural rhythm you are just sort of fighting it

lauraemily17 · Jan 22nd, 2011, 21:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katertots

I am not worried about myself and my work, but my husband is on a rotating shift. Every week it changes in and out of 4 shifts. Recently he just applied and got a job that he works mostly days but if someone is out on rotation he has to fill in for them. I will tell you that it was alot harder to DTD in that time.

I can relate to that, my DH works a rotating shift pattern so we don't really get a lot of quality time together, generally one of us is tired from work. His hours are about to change to be even worse, gonna have to try and make them work though!!

We've been together for 4 years and have joked about how his hours are bad for his health, it's only now we're married and TTC that we really realise there may be some truth to it!! I also have a very stressful job, although not shifts, that are probably not helping our fertility!!!

luckyG · Jan 22nd, 2011, 21:23 PM

I work nights shifts too and they play havoc with my body! I'm sure they delay ovulation, they Definately leave me tired and grumpy which I am sure can't help the process!!! I've been caffeine free since we started trying which is not easy when trying to stay awake at 4am!!

katertots · Jan 22nd, 2011, 21:28 PM

Laura- I know the feeling. At first it was SO hard for me to get used to him being gone all the time. I could not ever get myself to constantly be on his schedule, as it was always changing, it drove me crazy. Job security I guess. lol

katertots · Jan 22nd, 2011, 21:38 PM

Laura- When he actually did start to work normal hours, I was crazed and annoyed. I am glad now, and so used to it. I hope it never changes. It was so frustrating to have to do everything without him.

mom22boys · Jan 22nd, 2011, 22:12 PM

My hubby works 5pm till 3am! If he did not want this as bad as I do I guess we would be out of luck! I think people who work at night just don't get the same quality of sleep as people that work days! My hubby is super tired all the time!

mamicoch · Jan 23rd, 2011, 13:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luckyG

I work nights shifts too and they play havoc with my body! I'm sure they delay ovulation, they Definately leave me tired and grumpy which I am sure can't help the process!!! I've been caffeine free since we started trying which is not easy when trying to stay awake at 4am!!

Will you continue to work nights when you conceive?
I'm finding it really hard to keep DTD, I'm always so tired, my body clock is so out of sync!

Hoping to get a new job soon though, so fingers crossed.......!

Jan 22nd, 2011, 20:03 PM	#1
mamicoch Trying to conceive (TTC) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: South Wales Posts: 409	Shift work & ttc. Just wondered how many others there are ttc who work nights? I work constant nights on a 4 on 4 off basis, and wonder whether this has any effect on ttc? I read that night shift workers have higher risk of mc, and I had one in July, so plan on going off for a little while as soon as I get a BFP! It's not just the night shifts that worry me, it's the nature of the work. I'm a home carer, and we are providing care for a minimum of 11 people, most of which are bed ridden and require complex manual handling. I guess we're also at high risk of infection too, as we deal with all sorts of bodily fluids (tmi!), and we're out and about through the night in all weathers! Anybody else worry about the impact their job has?

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Jan 22nd, 2011, 20:08 PM	#2
aliss AutoSignup (SAAB) BnB Spammer Elite Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Québec Posts: 24,387	I did 4 on 4 off when I was TTC too (2 days, 2 nights, 7-7/7-7). I had a different job (I work in a police department) but I think a lot of the risks are from lifestyle that many shift workers have (ie. poorer diet, poorer sleep habits, stress from not living 'normal' hours, stress from the particular job). I think your best bet is just to minimize those particular risks as best as you can. Good luck

Status: Online

Jan 22nd, 2011, 20:08 PM	#3
katertots Trying to conceive (TTC) BnB Addict Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Alabama Posts: 4,320	I am not worried about myself and my work, but my husband is on a rotating shift. Every week it changes in and out of 4 shifts. Recently he just applied and got a job that he works mostly days but if someone is out on rotation he has to fill in for them. I will tell you that it was alot harder to DTD in that time.

Status: Offline

Jan 22nd, 2011, 20:10 PM	#4
aliss AutoSignup (SAAB) BnB Spammer Elite Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Québec Posts: 24,387	Also for the MC risk. Shift workers do tend to smoke/drink a lot of coffee (moreso than recommended caffeine) out of desperation, including sleeping pills (yes when pg, I've seen it!) so there's quite a few factors in it. By going against your body's natural rhythm you are just sort of fighting it

Status: Online

Jan 22nd, 2011, 21:23 PM	#6
luckyG Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: London Posts: 450	I work nights shifts too and they play havoc with my body! I'm sure they delay ovulation, they Definately leave me tired and grumpy which I am sure can't help the process!!! I've been caffeine free since we started trying which is not easy when trying to stay awake at 4am!!

Status: Offline

Jan 22nd, 2011, 21:28 PM	#7
katertots Trying to conceive (TTC) BnB Addict Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Alabama Posts: 4,320	Laura- I know the feeling. At first it was SO hard for me to get used to him being gone all the time. I could not ever get myself to constantly be on his schedule, as it was always changing, it drove me crazy. Job security I guess. lol

Status: Offline

Jan 22nd, 2011, 21:38 PM	#8
katertots Trying to conceive (TTC) BnB Addict Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Alabama Posts: 4,320	Laura- When he actually did start to work normal hours, I was crazed and annoyed. I am glad now, and so used to it. I hope it never changes. It was so frustrating to have to do everything without him.

Status: Offline

Jan 22nd, 2011, 22:12 PM	#9
mom22boys Trying to conceive (TTC) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NW AR Posts: 1,293	My hubby works 5pm till 3am! If he did not want this as bad as I do I guess we would be out of luck! I think people who work at night just don't get the same quality of sleep as people that work days! My hubby is super tired all the time!

Status: Offline

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