Help! Struggling at work

[Lillyaid12]

Hi, I am at a point where I am really struggling at work and doing the right thing by my family and would love to hear from others wo may be able to help or give me some advise on the best course of action.
I am only 7 weeks pregnant and work as a home Carer, I am experiencing lots of nausea and I am constantly exhausted. I am currently taking ginger tablets and using sickness bands which seem to keep the sickness at bay however no matter what I try I cannot control the nausea.

I work evenings and weekends and look after my 1yr old son during the day, so I go out to work when hubby gets home from work, The sheer thought of going to work now fills me with dread and makes me feel sick! Most evebings before I leave I am in floods of tears. In the nature of my work there is no getting away from the fact that I have to change incontinence pads, empty commodes etc. It never used to bother me before but I cannot stand it now :-( on top of the sickness and tiredness we both also worry about me driving around in the dark and with the winter on its way I will have to go out heavily pregnant all sorts of driving conditions.

my husband is very supportive and has told me to give up work and we will manage, but I know it will be a huge struggle dropping my wage as we will not be entitled to any smp or MA. My dilemma now is what to do for the best for our family.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

[WingsClipped]

Can you sign off on sick leave and see how you feel in a couple of weeks time?

[liesal79]

I am sorry you are going through this, and am having a similar problem at the moment! I am 30+6 and not coping, and I will tell you the same advice I was just given by my HR.

You have to look out for you and your baby! You don't want to look back in 9 months time and realise you out yourself through un-due stress.

You have to do what is right for you and for your health.
I hope you find some comfort in this, as I have and am currently sat here - re-evaluating! :)

[ElleDubloo]

I'm sorry you're going through this. It must be so hard, with such a physical job, in which you're caring for other people while you yourself need looking after. Will you be paid if you take some sick leave? If you have a couple of weeks off, the nausea may be only temporary and you can go back to work once you feel better.

[Lillyaid12]

Thanks for your replies :-) I will probably go to the doctors tomorrow then and see if I can get signed off for a couple of weeks whilst I reevaluate! With my 1st pregnancy I know I had the nausea up until I was about 15 weeks but life was a little easier then and I was working in an office. It just seems very overwhelming of the thought of having to do my job for at least another five months :-( but want to make sure I'm doing the right thing for our family x

[amy83firsttimer]

You'll be heavily pregnant in the spring / summer surely?! I'd also say get signed off for a bit rather than just packing in the job. Don't forget pregnancy -related sickness can't be counted against you.

[CathyNoodles]

Are you absolutely sure you won't get MA? With my first child, I thought I wouldn't qualify but did... You need to have worked 26 weeks in the last 66 weeks before your baby is due... they don't need to be consecutive or full time weeks....

[smilingthroughgrittedteeth]

Im a nanny so have a reasonably demanding job (as in there are no breaks) and im now 18+2 weeks, I found the first trimester really hard and often cried all the way home from work because I was so exhausted and felt so ill (I had all day morning sickness) I dont know how I managed to work 12 hour days.

its only just become easier in the last couple of weeks although im still exhausted by the end of the day, so I agree with the others get signed off for a few weeks then re-evaluate.

[jadeybaby87]

Hi hun I kinda know that feeling. I'm 21+4 expecting my little lady in feb and i quit my job 2 weeks ago because of the sickness etc. My job wasn't the same as yours I worked in sales so I was constantly on my feet and under pressure to hit sales targets. I took two weeks off sick abd went back still dreading the job so left. Ring the maternity allowance helpline they will tell u when u can claim MA from you will be entitled to it and it's paid for 39 weeks starting 11 weeks before your baby is due :) good luck hun do what's best for you xx

[Littlef00t]

My ms lifted at 15 wks so hopefully a few wks off will be what you need