Any pregnant firefighter wives here?

jordanalexandrajordanalexandra
edited January 2011 in Pregnant
It would be great to connect with some who understand the frustrations of their job and being gone, etc. My husband works a very busy segment in a crazy area so he is always exhausted when he gets home. I don't work, so I feel bad asking him to do baby stuff when he gets home...but it is February, due first week in May, and not a single thing has been done to the baby room. He says there are some construction type projects that he has to do before we can paint and start decorating. However, he gets frustrated with me when I mention that I want to get it started soon. I am trying to be understanding but I don't see myself as irrational for wanting a room set up.

Comments

  • snredasnreda
    My Husbands a firefighter. Is yours on shift work or day work?
  • jordanalexandrajordanalexandra
    24 hour shifts, every other day over a six day span then four days off. But there are times when he picks up extra days and has been gone between 3 and 6 days in a row. What about yours?
  • ElizabethElizabeth
    wow i am a paramedic (and pregnant) so i work the same kelly schedule ( 24 on 24 off for three on days then 4 days off) and I really dont think its that much to ask. I understand that some nights are bad but not all are and he should be understanding about you wanting to be able to decorate and get ready for the baby
  • jordanalexandrajordanalexandra
    Wow, paramedic and pregnant?! Good for you. How long are you going to work for?

    He works in a busy area in downtown Los Angeles. The department has been doing insane budget cuts. He is the A/O of the ladder truck and part of a task force with another engine and ambulance. Their engine gets closed multiple times a month so they are up all night long running alarm calls, medical calls, etc.

    I don't know how to make him more understanding :-/
  • ElizabethElizabeth
    I plan on working until at least 20 weeks ( I am almost 9 now).
    I mean I totally understand that up all night stuff, we are really under staffed when it comes to ambulances where I am so its not uncommon to only get 30 minutes a night of "sleep"... But I still dont understand why he feels that home is less important than work. By that I mean that my husband is a deputy sheriff and has been on grave yard shift for a while now but he understands that work is work and home is home and that I need his help here too. Maybe you should just talk to him and let him know that you feel like he doesnt have the time for you and what you need when he is home because he is gone at work so often. let him know that you understand having no sleep is horrible and totally exhausting but that if he cold maybe take a nap when he gets home and then help you with the babies room ( the stuff you cant do without him ie construction) that it would mean the world to you. I 100% do not think you are irrational and its not like you have all the time in the world to get the babies room done, I honestly think he is going to feel foolish if the babies room isnt done and the baby arrives. I am so sorry you are feeling frustrated and I totally see where you are coming from, but he does need to understand sometimes what your pregnant wife needs is slightly more important than the fact that he are tired ( like I said earlier ask him if taking a nap when he gets home would help and if he can help you in the room in the afternon).
  • snredasnreda
    He Works 24 then 48 off and his kelly is mondays. He's been picking up a lot of overtime lately so I've been home alone with my girls (3 and 6 months) with morning sickness, pretty awesome. He's a driver so that makes it a little easier on him because he just does pumps, or is on the bandaide box
  • chelsey9903chelsey9903
    I am. My husband is on 24 on then 48 off and has to respond to all off duty fires that are paged out. He also manages a fire extinguisher company on his days off from 7-5. I work full time at a hospital on 3p-11p shift Monday- Friday AND we have a 2 year old. Lol. We are both so busy we haven't even started on the nursery and I'm 32 weeks.
  • lealovelealove
    My husband is a firefighter. He works three days on and four days off. He also picks up alot of over time and in the summer time he can be gone for up to 21 days straight. That makes me nervous because our baby is due right smack in the middle of summer....July 28. He has already requested the time off (6weeks) but the last baby I had was born in 20 minutes. I was in labor for 3 hours. Worried he won't make it for the birth of our child. But I respect the work he does and I never complain to him.... so its nice to be able to vent here.
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