advice needed work related stress during pregnacy please help

[Natnat29]

Ive asked for advice regarding my work before and need to ask for more now hopefully no one minds?
Basically im 6 months pregnant and having problems with work related stress.
In the last 3 years I?ve had no end of issues with my work- false allegations of bullying put in against me during the lowest point of my life in which I was being diagnosed with a life changing illness which the people putting in the allegations knew about, people gossiping about my illness saying I had made the whole thing up, being excluded from rest of office.
Anyway after meeting after meeting with HR, occ health, my managers the atmosphere in the office is still bad, mostly through me at this point ? I cannot forgive and forget I still hold what happened to me against the people who did it and although professionally we are able to get on with work everything that?s happened still upsets me and stresses me out.
I?m constantly on edge of everything I say to people and I?m left out socially as I cant mix with people the way I used to, there are new starters in the office that I know I would get on with but I cant bring myself to talk to them.
I?m really upset I should have left before we tried for a baby and blame myself for being in this position now but here I am. I?m in tears about work while I?m here and at home thinking about it- I?m not sure whether its best to go on sick leave now or what to do especially as there is concerns over my blood pressure so I?m trying not to get too stressed being here depresses me so much its awful
Any advice would be helpful as i feel like they've finally broken me

[Natnat29]

shameless bump sorry

[TheSilverPussycat]

I would go on sick leave. It sounds like a nightmare you don't need.

[Natnat29]

Thanks think y

[Natnat29]

Oops posted too quick - was trying to say think your right- I've ended up coming home in tears now telling them I don't feel well. I'm going to have a think about what best to do for next few weeks while I go on mat leave

[Hoophopes]

Hi - if your dr will sign you off then you are entitled to full pay until 36 weeks. After 36 weeks if you haven't returned you then have to start your maternity leave. So you don't have to officially start your maternity leave now if you have a dr's note for any reason (stress, high blood pressure etc) so could you go to your dr's. I had to start maternity leave early and found it hard having nothing to do all day, so perhaps you could think about what you would do (I went to the library, met up with a few people who were not at work, found a pregnancy pilates/yoga class etc eventually which helped).

[Natnat29]

Thanks hoops, I'm only 25 weeks so would need awhile off but I know I could be signed off if needs be. Think I will see how I do tomorrow if I still get upset then think its for the best if I stay off the stress can't be doing the baby any good :(

[Hoophopes]

Nat - you need to do what is best for you. The babies are very robust, more than we realise. Do you plan to go back to the same job, or not return? Would doing part-time hours until maternity leave starts help (that is what I did - a fit note for half days only to start with - but on full pay!).

[Natnat29]

Didn't know you could do that, that sounds like it wOuld be an option,y midwive asked me to get in touch with occ health last week and sort out working from home but hasn't really happened so might see if doctor thinks that part time hours might be better- thanks

[Llareggub]

You need to check your company sick pay policy first. You may not get full pay until 36 weeks!

[Natnat29]

Thanks had a quick check yesterday and full pay until 36 weeks then mat leave kicks in. Am in work today but have midwive app later so going to have a chat with her and see what she thinks too

[Hoophopes]

Nat - hope you get something sorted. When pregnant, absence due to pregnancy are treated quite differently by companies (think due to legal reasons) and sick pay tends to be, as you found, to 36 weeks. Only issue is after 36 weeks have to start materntiy leave. Part-time worked for me - gave me something to do every day, lots of rest time, less stress - even though my p-t hours were due to infection risk I did struggle with my mental health as well more as I had to come off all medication!