A little frustrated - snow related

About a month ago, we had a mini-snowstorm where it didn't start coming down until AFTER I was at work and the roards were 100% clear by the time I left work. I got yelled at for several co-workers for coming in. Yes, ONLY because I am pregnant.

1. I didn't know it was going to snow

2. What does me being pregnant have to do with anything? Is my life less important when I'm not pregnant? Am I a worse driver when I am pregnant? I just didn't get their reasoning.

Now that we are supposed to get a big storm tomorrow I am contemplating taking the day off. DH will probably stay home with DS no matter what. The snow is supposed to be manageable in the morning and I can always leave early if I need to but I REALLY don't want to take more time - I only get unpaid leave, and whatever sick/vacation time I have accrued.

Now my mom is getting on my case and telling me not to get in the car with "the baby" - meaning the one I am carrying.

I would leave very early for work, and come home early if it was starting to look bad. I don't see a problem with this, since I won't have to worry about DS.

Am I insane? Or is everyone else around me seriously overreacting?

Message edited 2/9/2010 9:11:25 AM.

Re: A little frustrated - snow related

I hear you!
My DH already told me- you are NOT driving on Wednesday- work from home.
It's not a problem for me to work from home but I agree with your point about your life being less valuable when you are NOT pregnant.
I don't get that.
So he never minded if I got in a car accident before- but now that I have the baby in my belly he's so worried?
Makes me wonder if he cares more about the baby than me already!

I hate driving in snow- it scares the bejesus out of me- but no more so now than before I was pregnant.

I don't get people's reasoning sometimes!

Re: A little frustrated - snow related

I was just thinking to myself as I was reading your post that I don't even want to leave the house tomorrow.

My coworker just came by and said she is spreading the news that our office is closed tomorrow. That NEVER happens!!

Re: A little frustrated - snow related

I Hear you. I've been driving an hour to work in the snow for YEARS. I got a phone call yesterday from my aunt not to go into work tomorrow if it was bad out. Um....WHY?

My biggest thing though being pregnant is being able to get my car out. DH leaves around 5am so even if he shovels for me, I still sometimes cant get out. I will NOT shovel at 37 weeks pregnant tomorrow morning so hopefully the snow holds off a bit!

Re: A little frustrated - snow related

I am sorry, but I agree with everyone else. Its enough danger driving in the snow regularly, but to also be driving in the snow with another little one in you is even more dangerous. Your reflex reaction goes down when you are pregnant. I also heard in lamaze class that after 36 weeks alot of doctors recommend you don't drive at all!

I just think its better off staying home than taking any chances of driving in the snow. Everyone is just looking out for your safety!

Re: A little frustrated - snow related

I have to use my own time on snow days too and don't want to waste away my time either. I'm already using a day Friday for a DR appt. But my boss is off tomorrow and some co - workers are already talking about not coming. So what's the point of me being the only one here?

I'm just going to call in the morning and see who came in and make a decision. If I come in DH will be driving me since he has the day off.

Re: A little frustrated - snow related

I totally understand not wanting to use the days. I also get the "what are you doing here?" at work when it snows. My dilemma is that I teach in NYC so if it gets really bad I will no be able to leave. Plus the LIRR is saying that they are suspending service once it hits 10 inches so I would be stuck in the city

If you can leave early I'd tell you to go in as long as the roads aren't bad in the morning. Me...I have no idea what I am going to do. I am hoping Chelsea's daycare closes so I don't have to make the decision.

Re: A little frustrated - snow related

I teach dance, but the center where I teach follows the shcool districts lead. Since they haven't used a single snow day yet, I'm pretty sure they'll use one tomorrow.

Re: A little frustrated - snow related

LB, i just got the same speech from my HR person. I think people are more concerned about the actions of others while driving, not just you and the snow increases the stupidity of humans

people drive like idiots in snow and bad conditions. i wouldnt risk it either!

Message edited 2/9/2010 9:48:21 AM.

Re: A little frustrated - snow related

I hate driving in prefect conditions...much less snow and even less pregnant. However I don't have to drive a long way. My commute is mostly LIRR then subway. If I did have to drive though i wouldn't do it on a snowy day even while not being pregnant.

I probably would try to come into work tomorrow (have DH drive me) if I weren't pregnant, but at 31 weeks I'm just not going to risk it. Walking and stairs is difficults as is...i don't need to risk slipping and falling. It's not that it wouldn't be bad if I slipped and fell while not pregnant, it's just what it represents now that I'm carrying a little one. If it's just me...I end up achy and maybe with sore knees, etc. With the baby there are so many other things to think about, in my mind I'd be freaked out that the fall hurt the baby somehow.

I rather err on the side of caution.

I don't think that your co-workers think your life is less valuable or that being pergnant somehow impedes your abilities. I think they're just thinking that if something were to happen and you weren't pregnant you're more likely to walk away without any major reprecussions, whereas pregnant the possibilty of losing the bay or going into pre-term labor might increase if you get into an accident. JMHO.

Re: A little frustrated - snow related

i'm sorry, i don't get your reasoning. . . . my mother slipped probably thousands of times in her life that she doesn't remember. One time that she slipped on ice while she was pregnant - she lost the baby after 20 weeks. . .

If i got into an accident NOT pregnant, I may get hurt. . . but once I am pregnant - I could lose the baby

I would try to get to work tomorrow if I wasn't pregnant but you better believe that I am putting the safety of my baby first and not even attempting it now


(i am not judging people who have to go in, i have a very generous leave policy)

Re: A little frustrated - snow related

I totally understand not wanting to use a sick or vaca day, but you have to think about the roads. You're not just worrying about youself anymore, and even though you know you will drive carefully what about the cars on the road that aren't? I was told by my office since I live 20+ miles away and am pregnant not to try to come in if there was more then a few inches on the ground. Good thing i listened because around 8am they sent out a mass e-mail closing my office, I would have been on my way already.

Re: A little frustrated - snow related

Posted by JoJo2010

I am sorry, but I agree with everyone else. Its enough danger driving in the snow regularly, but to also be driving in the snow with another little one in you is even more dangerous. Your reflex reaction goes down when you are pregnant. I also heard in lamaze class that after 36 weeks alot of doctors recommend you don't drive at all!

I just think its better off staying home than taking any chances of driving in the snow. Everyone is just looking out for your safety!

Re: A little frustrated - snow related

A little fender bender, which can happen anytime of course, can harm the fetus, especiallly if the air bags deploy.

I think that is what people mean when they say you should stay home. If they deploy and you're not pregnant it is not as big of a deal.

Re: A little frustrated - snow related

LB-this point is probably moot since I don't think you went in today, but yes, you are insane if you were planning to commute the distance to go to work. If you were close by, I would be more inclined to agree. The reason I say this is because you have more to lose if you are preggers than if you are not. Even a simple fender bender or spinout can have disastrous effects on a preggo, whereas a non-preggo would just be hurt.

That being said, if the forecast was 3-6 inches, I would think you would go in.

Re: A little frustrated - snow related

it may be that you are a good driver...but others may not be.