My wife works as auditor during the night (11pm- 7pm 40 hours a week). It's has been really hard on her since she got pregnant, because of the hours and the lack of sleep during the day. She as well claims she needs to drink at least a cup of coffee a night in order to stay awake, which I believe can't be good for the baby since she is only 7 weeks pregnant. I have read that pregnant women who work night shift should never work full time, is that true? Can coffee really harm the baby? Is she now more prone to have a miscarriage? I am just concerned about the health of my wife and baby.

Hello Dave:

I'll try to help. Your wife should maintain the current level of activity she is used to during her pregnancy unless she is instructed by her doctor to slow down. Since she is only 7 weeks, she will be more tired, but this will go away after about week 12 if not sooner.

As for the caffeine, nope it's not really good for you, but one cup of java a day won't hurt. With all 4 of my children (ages 21, 19, 14 and 5), I maintained my Pepsi fix and no one was any worse for the wear.

Now, I have to ask why she is unable to get sleep during the day. Are there other children in the home? She needs to get a minimum of 8 hours sleep in a 24 hour period.

Has she been to her first prenatal appointment yet? If she has, why don't you go with her on the next one, take a list of your questions to ask the OB. Since the doctor/midwife knows her medical history better than any of us do, they would be the ones to ask.

Sorry it has taken me this long to respond. To answer your question she has a hard time sleeping because it is during the day. There are neighbors around, we have animals, the phone rings, and the door bell goes off all kinds of things. We have been trying to eat healthy and eat at least 3 meals a day. The one thing that concerns me is that she is so worried all the time about having a miscarriage, is that normal? Is there anything we can do to lighten the chances? We have our first appointment on the 16th of this month and I am sure we will have lost of questions for the doctor.

Yes, it is normal to worry about miscarriages. Many pregnant women worry, at the same time too much stress and too much worry can put strain on the pregnancy. She needs to learn how to relax and try to remain as stress free as possible. I know it is hard to deal with but this is all normal. It is good that she is eating healthy but rest is important. As far as the coffee is concerned, my wife cut out all caffiene products when pregnant. That was just something we did. To go out and try to figure out and read all the good and bad things to do or not to do during pregnancy will only put more pressure and stress on your wife. Like J9 has said she kept her pepsi fix and her children were fine as long as that is not the only thing that she is drinking.

I also hope that she is taking her prenatel vitamins. Good luck with everything.

Joe

Let's see if this will help her to get some sleep. Get room darkening shades for the bedroom, have her take the phone off the hook or turn the ringer on while getting her 8 hours of sleep. She doesn't have to answer the door. Tell the neighbors not to come over during the hours that she is sleeping.

If this cannot be accomplished then, yes, she should change shifts. She needs her sleep more now than ever. It will be even worse when baby comes.

It is very normal for us women to be afraid of a miscarriage, we all go through it during pregnancy. Can you lessen the chances? Not really, nature always has the upper hand. BUT, her not getting enough sleep can cause problems for her and/or baby down the line.

Make sure she is taking prenatal vitamins right now. And please, let her get some sleep. Disconnect the doorbell if you have to.

Thank you both for the good answers,I will do everything to get her to sleep if that means the baby and her will be safer in the long run.

In my first trimester I was so scared of miscarriage that I was constantly checking if there was any bleeding. Her fear will wear down eventually. Mine did, especially as she gets further along. As for the caffine, I thought I was going to die without my coffee or dr. pepper. When I asked my doctor about the caffiene she told me a generous two cups a day is fine. So here I am 26 weeks, with my huge pregnant belly with a healthy baby in medrinking my coffee. Also when I was in the first trimester I was soooo tired all the time. I would wake up then two hours later I would feel as if I haven't slept in days. You should turn the phones off, put a sign on the front door to tell people not to ring the doorbell, and put the pets somewhere. If sleep and stress is putting too much of a strain on your wife, maybe she can work less hours? Or maybe different hours. Write down any questions you have for the doctor, because you will forget when you get there. I always do. Congrats!

I agree with J_9... just add a noise maker (white sound machine) with it. Set it for rain or waves and she'll sleep like a baby. I work a similar shift (longer hours) and made it through pregnancy fine. As you know now, it is very normal (especially with a first child) to be worried to death and have tons of questions. I want to commend you for the interest you are taking!

Thank you all for great answers I feel much better now.