To feel guilty for being signed off work 26 weeks pregnant??

I did think that would be the case but as I was unsure I would of checked anyway to be sure

I was signed off from about 10 weeks with DS2 (hyperemisis). I have never felt guilty about it, why would I? I could barely potter about the house without vomiting let alone get the bus and go to work every day.

You do whatever you need to do for yourself and your baby! The NHS won’t do it for you, you’re just a number to them.

Off topic, but when you fill in your maternity leave paperwork- IGNORE the box requesting you to select your preference for pay (sorry I can’t recall exactly, as was a few years ago, but think there were 2 options). Write beside the boxes- PAY EVENLY OVER 12 MONTHS. Or words to that effect. A colleague advised me this and it worked! ☺️

It’s yet another thing no-one tell you about. I tell everyone I ever meet about this, as it often means it’s easier to take the full 12 months off, instead of doing 9 months then being unable to survive 3 months no pay!

Wishing you every bit of health and happiness for your expanding family

YANBU. It sounds as though your work is hazardous for you and your baby and is making you ill. Your work should have done pregnancy risk assessment for you and made reasonable adjustments - it’s terrible that they haven’t. Double and triple check your maternity and sick leave policy and as long as mat leave can’t be triggered until 36 weeks get yourself signed off sick until your annual leave starts.

@tigerlilt take the time off. It sounds like the anxiety and stress would limit your capabilities at work anyway so much better to have someone in especially over winter even if it’s bank staff etc who isn’t having the challenges you are - better for you, better for the rest of the staff and better for the patients too.

If baby came much earlier than expected they would have to survive without you anyway. I’m sure over the years you’ve done your fair share of unpaid overtime etc (not that you need to justify it). You’re not being a wimp but who honestly if anyone suggests you are - that’s a them problem - there’s no medal for being a martyr and if there was a problem with baby you’d always look back and think wtaf was I doing at work. Trust your gut my lovely, enjoy some rest and nesting and good luck with the pregnancy.

also as many others have said - a good compromise would be reasonable adjustments being put in place - pregnancy is a protected characteristic so if you do actually want to stay working then I’m surprised occupational health haven’t been involved and really your manager should be ensuring adjustments are made or you can working in a non patient facing role etc (if that’s something you’d want)

A wimp? No! Your work place has let you down massively for not giving you some adjustments to keep you safe. Fuck em. As others have said you’re replaceable at work, but not at home!

I can’t believe that you haven’t been placed on restricted duties. In the police if you’re pregnant you don’t do any public facing duties. It’s a shame to go sick but you have no choice. Speak to your union.

You're being unreasonable to feel guilty. Honestly, I had a pre term baby. The guilt of not carrying baby to term, and the responsibility I felt for everything he had to go through....
Put your baby first OP and take care of yourself

Nah OP don’t feel guilty. I am in healthcare and preggo too but not in as physical a role as yours and throughout this pregnancy I have often wondered how a&e / acute ward nurses in particular are doing it. I’m 30 weeks now and still managing but v pleased a lot of my day is spent sat down

Your Trust has a health and safety policy for new and expectant mothers. Find it. Wave it at them.

But no, YANBU. Work is never more important than your health and personal safety.

Your union will confirm. Has your employer done a risk assessment? They should have and put in place measures to mitigate the risks. Please contact your union ASAP.

They wouldn't start early based on that.

It's counted based on the due date and is triggered to start 4 weeks before the date.

I worked up until my due date with DC1 and planning on doing the same now but I would NEVER judge anyone for getting signed off. Pregnancies are different, bodies are different, job demands are different.
We had someone at work who got signed off from 18 or 20 weeks as she wasn't feeling too well but no one ever judged (to my knowledge 😂).
They will cope without you.

A lot has changed in 20 years! When I had my first 16 years ago maternity would be triggered if you was off within 11 weeks of due date. Now I’m certain it is from 36 weeks pregnant. However in your case the only thing I’d double check is whether it would apply to a due date at 40 weeks or because you’ve been told you risk premature labour at 32 could they start maternity early based on that.

You should have been risk assessed and moved from a&e . This is not your fault. But if your sick note mentions your pregnancy it could trigger the start of mat leave early.

Can you ask for a fit note that says you can do admin only? That might keep you at work not on Mat leave but not doing this. If it’s too much go back and get fully signed off.

Hey op, please do not worry. Im a band 7 ED Sister and let me reassure you that we're all just a number and so easily replaceable.
As a sister group we deeply care about our staff as do the Matrons but them upstairs give no shits. You and baby come first, always. Rest up.

I work in theatres and went off at 24 weeks pregnant with twins because I just couldn’t hack being on my feet all day. They pushed my maternity leave start date back so I could stay off sick until they would automatically start it at 36 weeks. If I was you I’d be asking them to do this so you’re using your sick leave and not maternity leave!
Don’t feel guilty about it. You have to put you and baby first. They’ll find someone to cover - overtime, bank, agency. Someone will do your shift so don’t worry about it. Keep yourself safe!

Oh no. Definitely not being unreasonable. I work as a nurse too and im 14 weeks pregnant and struggling with fatigue. I couldnt imagine working in ED heavily pregnant.

Im surprised youre going off at 32 weeks, if it was me, I would be getting a sick note until 36 weeks. They cant touch you until then and after 36 weeks its maternity. Dont waste 4 weeks maternity. Defo just go off sick and dont even feel guilty about it

The thing is, flu is rife atm also. You dont want to get ill before xmas and or injured before work. Dont even feel guilty. They wont care and you aren't gonna see them for another year. I've been told by loads of nurses they went off at 28/29 weeks because of back pain and stuff and told me "this is your time now never feel guilty."

So in summary are you a 'wimp' for following medical advice to be signed off at 26 weeks to avoid to going into preterm labour? And does it make you a 'dick' for wanting to avoid putting your baby at risk for 10 more shifts?
Where in the world are such ideas coming from? What could be more important that protecting the well being of your unborn baby?

Absolutely do not feel guilty. Pregnancy is a special time in life that needs respecting. For mums with HG and other bad first trimester issues we get signed off/quit jobs/take unpaid leave from around five weeks!

Well done. Put you and baby first, it's fine!

I’m shocked they haven’t put you on some sort of restricted hours and duties. Given that they haven’t, fuck them, do what keeps you and baby healthy.

You are right, 36 weeks

Correct regarding 36 week pregnancy related sickness triggers maternity leave. Cannot beleive they've not offered you any adjustments ... that is dire!!