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Work the next two weeks or just get a sick note??

11 replies

mosschops30 · 21/08/2009 10:04

A quick run down first of my pregnancy dramas/absence:

Started new job in March, found out was pg at end of month and had to tell new boss
Had one day off with a migraine
Father was ill and then passed away = another 4 weeks off
1 week off bed rest due to crap iron levels
2 further weeks due to even crappier iron levels

So this week I told my boss I was going to finish earlier than planned as it wasnt fair to me or him to keep driving myself further into the ground and ending up having more sick time.
Yesterday felt awful in work, popped down to maternity assessment who gave me cyclizine and co-codamol which knocked me out and I slept til 11am , went back up to my department feeling fine, then promptly slipped down the wall half hour later

So as I only have 2 weeks left before mat leave starts, should I just go in and do what I can, or phone doc and try and get a sick note? WWYD?

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amidaiwish · 21/08/2009 10:09

how many weeks pg are you?
IIRC if you are 30weeks + then any "sick" leave due to pregnancy triggers the start of your maternity leave anyway.

What do YOU want to do? have you had enough? sounds like you need to be off imo but can you afford to?

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LilRedWG · 21/08/2009 10:12

You sound like you need to be at home resting Mosschops. If you can afford to, then do it.

Do not keep working because you feel that you somehow owe it to your boss. I did this and lived to regret it.

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amidaiwish · 21/08/2009 10:20

yes certainly don't stay out of any loyalty.
you'll be off for 6-12 months anyway, no one will remember let me assure you!

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Danceaway · 21/08/2009 10:23

Get the sick note - put yourself and your baby first. It is hard enough once the baby is born, you need to be as strong as you can be. All employers care about is their business - your most important business is your baby so prioritise and be ruthless!!

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Danceaway · 21/08/2009 10:24

Also meant to say v sad news about you losing your father while pregnant - you've been through so much, take it easy PLEASE.

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mosschops30 · 21/08/2009 10:27

I am 28 weeks, and AFIAK they cannot force you to start mat leave until youre 36 weeks (according to our maternity policy)
I get sickness pay so the money not an issue there.
As ive said on previous threads though, certain people in work think Im lazy for finishing at 31 weeks, never mind taking an extra 2 weeks sick!
I have had enough for weeks if Im honest, its a physically demanding job and Ive struggled with it, I just feel that if I really made the effort I could do the extra two weeks, although I know my boss wouldnt expect it

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LilRedWG · 21/08/2009 10:36

You have had a tough, tough time of it. Call it quits.

Seriously - put yourself and your baby first and stuff what anyone else thinks. This is coming from a woman who was told by her midwife to give up work at c. 26 weeks and continued until 34 weeks.

Please don't put yourself through one minute more. x

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dizzymare · 21/08/2009 10:44

Put yourself and your baby first, an extra two weeks rest before he/she comes sounds like the best plan.

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mosschops30 · 21/08/2009 10:50

Have taken your good advice ladies and phoned my fave doc and left a message (hopefully she will call me back). Im hoping she will leave me out a sicknote without me going down to surgery, as I dont feel well enough to drive but certainly not ill enough for a house call.
Thanks, and LilredWG, why did you keep on working? Did it nearly kill you??
I cant wait for this baby to come out, I am never ever getting pg again, Unless I win the lottery

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LilRedWG · 21/08/2009 11:22

I carried on working through a stupid sense of loyalty to my employer. I had severe SPD and was told to stop work. Instead I carried on going to work on my crutches and going up and downstairs all day and through the factory to our other offices to delivery messages for my boss. Out of work I spent the last five weeks of pregnancy in a wheelchair.

I will admit I also worried about money, which in hindsight is daft, because even though I planned to go back to work, I decided not to before my maternity leave was up.

DD was born in May 2006 and it was January/February 2007 before I gave up using crutches. DD was eight months old before I could manage to push her pram up our road - we live on a hill - I really think that if I'd listened to the midwife I would have been up and about a lot sooner.

So - well done you! Enjoy your rest. x

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amidaiwish · 21/08/2009 14:12

well done, sounds like you have made the right decision.
who cares what anyone else thinks.
i remember our occupational health manager going mad at me for continuing to work full on whilst suffering with severe morning sickness, then neuralgia. I was such a mug but didn't want to let "the team" down.
Looking back no one would have really thought badly of me but there is just this pressure that "i'm pregnant, not ill".

Take care of yourself and rest and enjoy your time off before the baby.