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AIBU?

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Original poster

To go off sick at 28 weeks pregnant?

33 replies

Hellskitchen24 · 06/02/2025 18:42

I’m a staff nurse working in a very heavy, high acuity role, on my feet most of the day, 12.5 hour shifts, plus 40 minutes to and from work by the time I’ve walked to to the car, driven, parked, walked to work etc. Up at 5:30am, back 20:30-21:00, so out the house 14+ hours a day. I do two on two off currently and have done this for the last 4 months without a break. I have no annual leave left and haven’t had any since October.

I am shattered. My back is killing me from the length of the shifts, the size of my pregnancy (I’m massive!), and existing back pain (from a car accident years ago). Obviously I cannot take anything beyond paracetamol which does nothing. I have sciatic pain shooting up my left leg, and pelvic girdle pain. I’m not sleeping at night properly; I’m lucky if I get 3 hours or so between shifts. I’m fatigued beyond belief. Even my days off don’t allow me to recover physically at present as just lying on the sofa all day isn’t possible in the real world. I had hyperemesis in the first trimester, lost weight, and barely ate or drank in 6 weeks. I’m still medicated for it now and get nausea in the evenings.

I am clinical hospital based so being office based or working from home isn’t an option. Would I be unreasonable to go off sick?

OP posts:
Scottishgirl85 · 06/02/2025 20:46

Hopefully they can move you to a different role, you don't want mat leave starting 3 months early!

JimHalpertsWife · 06/02/2025 20:44

Have you had a risk assessment done? Agree with the upthread suggestion of Occ Health first for adjustments to role.

I did 2x pregnancies with an active role finishing 11pm then back at work 7am (hospitality) and while I just about managed with dc1 (as I could sleep round the clock when not working), for dc2 I got to about 28 weeks and had to take a fair chunk of sick leave and then start mat leave at 36w.

StripyHorse · 06/02/2025 20:43

I echo a previous poster, speaking to HD or Occupational Health about adjustments is probably the best thing to do. Ironically, in looking for the date at which sickness triggers maternity leave, I found this advice about working when pregnant. On the NHS website

https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/your-health-at-work/#:~:text=If%20there's%20no%20safe%20alternative,weeks%20before%20your%20due%20date.

Sickness in the 4 weeks before your due date triggers your maternity leave starting.
https://www.gov.uk/maternity-pay-leave/leave

nhs.uk

Work and pregnancy

Find out how to stay safe and healthy at work during pregnancy, and when you need to take extra precautions.

https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/your-health-at-work#:~:text=If%20there's%20no%20safe%20alternative,weeks%20before%20your%20due%20date.

prescribingmum · 06/02/2025 20:39

As per above comment OP, you should be able to be redeployed if you can work but not in that role. Has your manager not done a risk assessment? It should have been completed when you disclosed your pregnancy and needs to be updated as required. Request to have your risk assessment updated and a referral to OH.

In terms of GP, you don't need to be signed off sick completely, they can write on the note for an amendment to duties which can include not being on your feet, shorter shifts etc

MsCactus · 06/02/2025 20:37

I can barely manage an office job pregnant (I HATE being pregnant, and was forced to be bedrest for my final month) so no, you're not being unreasonable at all.

You'll undoubtedly have posters come along and say pregnancy is easy and you don't need time off. But they're the lucky ones who have mild pregnancy symptoms and don't understand.

Everyone is different - some women are so ill they're hospitalised throughout their entire pregnancy. My mum was forced to bedrest for the last three months of every pregnancy she had... If you need to go off work, you need to!

WhatWasPromised · 06/02/2025 20:37

I think going off sick (which in your shoes I wouldn’t blame you!) after a certain point in pregnancy actually triggers your maternity leave starting?

Just worth checking

LadyLolaRuben · 06/02/2025 20:35

Hi OP NHS Director here. I'd speak to your line manager tell them the problems you're having. They can consider redeploying you to another role, which is better than losing you completely.

You can self refer to occupational health for advice and they can make recommendations to your manager.

You can also get advice from HR - they are there for you as well as management. Check your Trust's maternity policy, you should have a risk assessment due to pregnancy.

You're not the first employee to be pregnant and need support so don't worry about asking for help, it's very common

Original poster
Hellskitchen24 · 06/02/2025 20:22

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OP posts: