Finding work hard but only 7 wks - say something or not?

[chocolatestar]

I am only seven weeks pregnant but I feel pretty hellish. I am struggling at work and I am wondering if I should say anything. Had planned to wait until the first scan but I am not performing well. Just wondered what other people have done.

[IngridFletcher]

I think it would depend on the job. They are probably all gossiping about you being pregnant anyway. You will very probably feel better soon though.

[porcamiseria]

hang on in there, the tiredness and sickness will pass. Id wait till 12 weeks TBH

[Lavitabella]

I got signed off work for 2 weeks as I was so tired, sick and had terrible back pain. Doctor wrote back pain on my sick note.

I told my main boss at 8 weeks asked her to keep it a secret. My NHS scan was at 12 weeks though and I just wanted to know everything was ok, so paid to go private, then told work officially at 11 weeks.

Congratulations btw

[chocolatestar]

I am a teacher. Was only going to tell those I work with directly. I am meant to help with the school show and I am really strugglng. In my first pregnancy I was Sick for 17 weeks.

[berrycravings]

I had to tell my work at 8 weeks. As I cannot eat in my office I needed to ask for extra breaks so I could eat every hour. They have been great and really understanding. I just told my manager and the head of department knows too. I have found it has made things alot easier and so glad I said something, I don't have to lie if I ring in sick either which would have worried me.

I guesse its one of those situations where you have to do what suits you. I would be very upset if I did miscarry and would appreciate the support from work so for me it was a good decision.

Best of luck and congratulations

[DilysPrice]

Maybe confide secretly in one person you trust (ideally your immediate boss) and they can support you. If the worst did happen, god forbid, then it's still great to have one (and only one) person you can talk to who can protect you a bit.

Best of luck, and hope you feel better as soon as poss.

[japhrimel]

If you need time off or you need your boss to be more flexible at this stage so that you don't run into disciplinary issues, you need to tell your boss at least - then they can't use any of it against you.

[decafgirl]

It was at about 7 weeks that I felt my worst and actually got sent home one thurs lunchtime then had the friday and the weekend off. I'm a teacher too and know how awful it is to feel so ill. I'd only told my (fab) TAs at that point & they were really good at covering if I felt faint or needed to eat someting 'on the go' so to speak.

Do you have any classroom support? x

[chocolatestar]

No, I am secondary so usually I am alone. My faculty head is lovely so I know she would be great it just all feels a bit weird! Hard to make clear decisions when you feel like you are having the longest hang over ever.

[bluepanda]

I always think that first trimester is the worst! You feel so dreadful and excited and yet you're supposed to keep this huge thing secret!! I told two very close colleagues at about eight wks both times, on the basis that it was getting increaingly difficult to hide the fact I wanted to eat or throw up most of the time. I also figured if anything did go wrong i would need their support. They were great and personally I was very relieved when I had come clean!
Good luck - and you won't feel like this all the way through, honest!

[Haggisfish]

I told my head and HoD at about 5 weeks. They were invaluable during my first trimester, and arranged for two of my lessons to be covered a week, so I had no 5 lesson days. They also arranged for my form to be covered for one morning and afternoon, allowing me to go home early/come in late to catch up on sleep.
depends how supportive you think they will be - i was fairly sure mine would be lovely.