Call in sick?

[thedinosaur]

I don't know why I'm posting this on here but these things just get me really anxious and worried I'll get in trouble.

Currently pregnant - in my 3rd trimester. Had on and off pelvic/back pains throughout pregnancy but never anything terrible.

Yesterday and today have been bad. Last night when I got in bed I couldn't turn over, I started coughing badly due to heartburn and the pain radiating down the sides of my pelvis and right hip was so bad I ended up in tears and couldn't move for a few mins whilst it subsided.

I got through the night and this morning felt OK, however as the day progressed it's gotten worse again, I can't sit for more than 10mins at a time without being in pain, I went to pick up DC1 earlier and couldn't as I got a shooting pain. If I sit down or crouch and go to stand up I need to pause mid way and brace myself.
I feel really under it all.
Arranged a phone consultation with my GP today who seemed to be in a bit of a rush to get me off the phone which made me think I'm just being a bit of a wimp but maybe they're just busy. She said it's probably due to the pregnancy and to keep taking paracetamol (it's not helping), she said if it gets worse to get in touch with my midwife and she might arrange a bit of physio. Advised to prop myself up with pillows, hot water bottle, hot bath/shower etc and do the same when at work (pillows at back etc). And they also prescribed something for the heartburn as its made me sick before and gaviscon doesn't do anything.

WIBU to just call in? I've had around 3/4 days off due to mat related illness throughout the pregnancy in total so far, some due to sickness, some due to medication side effects. I don't have long until mat leave.
I can't help but feel bad though and like I'm a wimp as I'm only PT but I also really don't like the idea of going in to work and just taking medical breaks every half hour to walk off the pain I'm in as its worse when I'm sat down and I have to then log them all and it would make me feel ridiculous.

[Bumdishcloths]

If you're within 4 weeks of your leaving date you'll be automatically out on mat leave if you call in sick with pregnancy related illness, so it depends whether you're ready for that really?

[Southlondonmum76]

If you are in pain and discomfort, don't go into work.
Personally I think your GP should have seen you in surgery today.
Have you contacted your midwife? She may suggest you to go to your local Maternity assessment unit and be seen.
Look it's Friday afternoon, try and be seen by a healthcare professional, you are in pain. It will also put your mind at ease.
Put yourself first. Look after yourself.
Take care.

[Moanyoldcow]

Sounds like you have SPD. It's a horrid and painful condition.

Have a google and see if it seems to fit. I'd contact tbyiur midwife but if you are in pain of course you should call in sick.

[AFlibbertigibbet]

Definitely get in touch with your midwife - there are other painkillers that you can take if you are really struggling.

Also, if it's within your budget, it might be worth seeing a chiropractor, find one who specialises in pregnancy. I started seeing one at 33 weeks pregnant and it made a huge difference, I actually started enjoying pregnancy again and managed to hang in at work until my planned mat leave date.

[thedinosaur]

Thank you for the replies!
I called in. Had some food and now just finished doing bedtime with DC1.

I'm not within the 4 weeks just yet @Bumdishcloths

Still in pain and uncomfortable when I sit down for longer than a few mins.

Felt bad talking to the lady that answered...

[thedinosaur]

I will get in touch with midwife on Monday if I'm still in pain.

GP said it's probably quite normal as my body prepares for delivery and it had to make room for baby etc.

But I don't know why it was so bad when I was coughing.

[ChunkyNotSoKitKat]

You're not sick so don't call in sick if anything ask to take a days holiday or unpaid. Things like this is why employers don't like employing women who want to start a family

[BakedBeans47]

How is she not "sick" Chunky? Don't be so ridiculous.

OP you are not fit for work by the sounds of it. Don't feel guilty.

[Justonemorepleasethen]

Are you taking the piss chunky, of course she should phone in sick

She has a pregnancy related illness! What a stupid thing to say!

[Slartybartfast]

how many weeks have you got to go op?

[thedinosaur]

Going on mat leave 3rd November, due on the 28th .

@ChunkyNotSoKitKat what would you class bad pelvic and back pains as?
Also I don't get paid for days I'm not in so it will be an unpaid day.

[MrTrebus]

I don't get this, in my area there is a 24 hour pregnancy helpline that goes through to the local hospital maternity department. It was in my notes in big red printed letters all the info and the phone number. Once in pregnancy when I did feel really ill I called it, they talked through my symptoms and they called me in. Walked through the hospital to the maternity department, was assessed and various tests and eventually went home. Fantastic service avoiding GP (who in the main don't have a clue about pregnancy related stuff) and avoiding A&E. Do you not have a direct "emergency" line to call? It can't just be unique to your area? Why are you waiting til Monday?

[MrTrebus]

*MY area

[ChunkyNotSoKitKat]

Op
The doctor said to do the same at work. Regarding propping up with pillows etc.
Therefore the doctor thinks you should be at work but if everybody else knows better than the medical expert then take their advice.

[Slartybartfast]

so you have got 10 weeks or 9 weeks?
see if you can struggle on op, give yourself more time after the baby is born

[thedinosaur]

@MrTrebus I don't think I'm in enough pain to warrant calling an emergency line.

I have a number for my midwife team so I will call them on Monday if I'm still in pain. I have this weekend off and DP is around so I can take it easy and see how I go.

[Danceswithwarthogs]

It sounds like spd flare-up but could be something else. I would try to get that physio referral. Made massive difference to me. Also do you have a physio belt/strap? If your pelvis has been generally grinding and niggling you may have aggravated it and really flared the joints up. The best thing is rest for a few days if you can... avoid lifting, stooping, hoover/trolley etc pushing and moving with knees apart. My physio also advised sleeping with pillow between knees AND ankles.

Maybe taking one day off now will help you get to mat leave in one piece. Maybe just tell them you've put your back out.... you don't have a definite medical diagnosis to say it's pregnancy related illness. You can also ask to review your work risk assessment if you think work is exacerbating problem.

Hope you feel better soon... it's miserable

[MrTrebus]

It wasn't actually an emergency line it was more of an "there's something not quite right and a trip to a pharmacy won't sort it" sort of thing. It keeps things separate to the GO and 111 etc so took pressure off other services.

[BakedBeans47]

The doctor may be a medical expert chunky but she didn't even see or examine the OP. If the OP feels unfit for work then it's perfectly acceptable to call in sick.

[thedinosaur]

@Danceswithwarthogs but my GP said that it is most likely pregnancy related either way from what I've gathered?

She said it's either my joints/pelvis (body in general) preparing for baby/labour and it sounds like my muscles are having spasms from some of the stuff I've described or it could be more so if it keeps up to get in touch with my midwife because I might need a physio appointment.

Oh ok I might have to have a look through my notes @MrTrebus

Currently the kitchen trying to do the odd job as sitting down sends pains from my lower back upwards

[thenewaveragebear1983]

They don't automatically start your mat leave if you're off in the last 4 weeks- it is at your employers discretion. As you don't get paid for time off sick anyway, you may find they don't start your leave (irrelevant as you're not 36 weeks anyway)

As for now, if you're in severe pain, unable to work to your maximum, difficulty driving to and from work, risk other employees in an emergency/ risk yourself in an emergency, struggling, suffering, etc etc. then for goodness sake throw yourself a bone and take some time off. If you have spd it's bloody miserable, if you have spd and other children who need your care it's even more miserable. I remember it well, I had the most horrendous 10 weeks 'keeping on going' and when i finally got signed off I couldn't believe I'd kept on going so long.

[TammySwansonTwo]

Of course you're entitled to time off sick. You're not taking the day off because you're pregnant, you have a complication of pregnancy and people have no idea how painful this is unless they've experienced it. SPD made me utterly miserable for almost my whole pregnancy and by the end I couldn't walk unaided. Fortunately I'm self employed so my boss was very understanding 😂