Did you have a difficult pregnancy? How did you cope - especially with work?

[ActonBell]

I’m only 7 weeks. Already have a DS and had an ectopic in January. I had 4 weeks off work following the ectopic - it ruptured and I was in a really bad way so was advised 3 weeks off to recover physically from the surgery and then took another week because I was struggling mentally.

We’re absolutely delighted to have fallen pregnant again so soon but this first trimester is proving SO difficult- way more than with my son.

I’ve already posted here about my 24/7 intense nausea that’s limiting my ability to be up and about. I’m trying to find a medication that will help and have just started taking antihistamines prescribed by GP with mixed results.

As of yesterday I also have very strong pain in one side of my lower back. It came on during a car journey. I’m worried it could be the start of SPD, which I had in my pregnancy with DS but not until much later.

Feeling really down at the prospect of weeks of extreme nausea and pain and don’t feel like I can take any more time off due to already having had so much sick leave for the ectopic this year.

There are other challenges I was anticipating - such as daily injections to prevent blood clots, which I also had with DS.

I’m just struggling to imagine how I’ll cope with all this. It feels like a lot.

Did anyone else have a difficult pregnancy from very early on? What were your coping strategies, particularly with work?

Thank you!

I had hyperemesis gravidarum from 4 weeks and was signed off work from then until 12 weeks due to it. Had to be hospitalised twice with it and there was no way I could’ve coped at work.
Then at 18 weeks I had bleeding due to a low lying placenta and was put on bed rest. Ended up having a lot of time off and then having work duties restricted but my boss was really great. Everything just went down as pregnancy related absence and wasn’t a problem, your health and the baby have to come first.

Thanks @Snuzzle Sorry to hear you had such a tough time but glad your work were understanding.

The pain in my back is so bad today I’m starting to wonder whether I should ring 111. I don’t know whether that’s ott or not. I know it’s not another ectopic because I had a scan just over a week ago to check that. But the pain really is something else.

Of you're in that much pain you should really get checked out again, the hospital would rather you called.

Work shouldn’t be able to discipline if it’s pregnancy related, I know my work have policies for if you’re off a certain number of weeks but couldn’t apply them to my sick leave.
If you don’t feel right it’s definitely worth ringing and checking with 111 or do you have a MAU/EPAU at your hospital you can ring and speak to a midwife?

EPU is closed today because it’s a bank holiday. It does feel more like muscle pain as it hurts more when I move/stretch. Still debating 111 but hoping it’ll improve with rest.

Won’t hurt to give them a quick ring just to put your mind at ease. I had a miscarriage before DD so I know how anxious the twinges and pain can make you. Always better to speak to someone than sit and worry.

Tbh I got help with the nausea, I work part time so rested as much as I could with having two preschoolers to take care of. I would have struggled if I worked full time. Re back pain and spd, baths eased some of the discomfort, I have compression stocking to wear and was given some tubigrip to wear as a belly band which takes the weight of bump off my hips. My dh massages me every night and I have learnt to do small amounts of housework on my days off. I bought myself a good pregnancy pillow which helps somewhat and resort to paracetamol when needed. I'm cooking more simple meals or using my pressure cooker so I don't end up standing up for longer periods. I have regular midwife, consultant and scan appointments and take blood thinning injections too. I am taking two weeks annual leave and then going off on maternity leave at 35 weeks. My job involves standing up all day and is in healthcare so I don't realistically think I can do it till much later.

Basically to manage I have made my dh aware that I need more support and he helps. I work part time and have made small adjustments to normal life to help me out. If you feel you need time off work, take it. I have been able to manage but everyone's situation is different.