To not go back to work tomorrow?

[Passthepigs]

I’m 30 weeks pregnant, 7 weeks left to work. However I’ve got SPD and am really struggling. Awaiting a physio appointment so can’t do much about it at the minute other than take it easy and take painkillers.

I’m a teacher so need to be mobile and on my feet. School have been accommodating and moved my classroom downstairs but I am absolutely dreading going into work tomorrow. I know by mid morning I will be in pain and struggling and I have no idea how I’m going to get through the day and then return again Tuesday.

If you are struggling that much i would speak to work and your gp

I don't think you should be working tbh, if you are in that much pain and struggling to stand. but not sure what the implications are from a mat leave perspective. There is a date after which your mat leave wd be automatically deemed to start if you have pregnancy related illness - think it's a bit later though?

When I had spd I had a belt that held my pelvis together, have they given you that? Not sure whether they still do or not tbh.

Ouch you poor thing. I had this and I struggled to do a sit down desk job - it's complete agony at times. I remember getting really stressed at the thought of even walking to the loo (big office) or to my car. I went off early in the end, I had some other complications as well. Unless you can find a way to work completely sitting still I would consider going on mat leave early and just lying down as much as possible. I got signed off sick for a bit of it so didn't start maternity leave for a while longer. There's usually a policy around pregnant women being ill etc so worth talking to your manager and the doctor.

I’ve got a belt from my first pregnancy which I wear but it’s uncomfortable to keep sitting down in which I need to do.

I managed through till the end in my first pregnancy but it’s much worse this time. I think from a pay point of view the last 4 weeks have to be counted as mat leave but I was going off 3 weeks before anyway so o my lose a week.

@TipseyTorvey I can try sit down when teaching as much as possible but it affects the behaviour of the students (fairly tough comp school). As you say I dread walking to the toilet as it’s about 200m from my classroom but I’ve just had a bladder infection so will need to try and go every hour!

I’m due to go back to work at the end of feb :( me and my partner have both decided I don’t go back as I want more time with my little one. How do I go about this in regards to informing my employer etc. Any advice would be so helpful. Thank you in advance x

Oh I really feel for you OP. I had dreadful SPD and as a nurse that last trimester was excruciating. I was signed off from 31-36 weeks and then my mat leave kicked in. It was absolutely the right decision as meant I was well rested and the spd much better controlled prior to the birth itself. Put yourself first here (I know that’s hard in a public sector job but they will understand.)

Good luck!

just go on sick, better for you and baby and they can get proper cover.

I had terrible SPD and was signed off from my office job for a good few weeks in the last trimester. It was the commuting I couldn't manage (hour each way on the train). The thought of being as active as a teacher needs to be..... definitely get thee to the GP for a fit note!

I think you can get signed off by your GP for pregnancy related illness (a teacher at my school had some sort of issue with her cervix and was told she wasn’t supposed to stand up at all in the last two months so was on total bed rest with no notice). I’m not sure if they start your maternity leave early or have it as sick pay.

@passthepigs it sounds like it's only going to get worse then so you really should just plan to go in tomorrow to tell them you're off and will only do the first week sitting down. Get signed off by your GP asap and just focus on you.

Laura, start your own thread. You will get a better response than from hijacking someone elses.

OP, if you are struggling that much, go on the sick.

I think you should be signed off. I was stupid and tried to power through (not spd, other things) but eventually fell apart a bit and was signed off. I'm also a secondary teacher. My mat leave automatically started at 36 weeks.

Teaching in a similar sounding secondary school I ended up being signed off sick from 10 weeks pregnant with my second child (3 DVTs and suspected PE). I felt awful about it but the school were great and like everyone has said you will be paid sick leave till 36 weeks when your maternity leave will kick in automatically. As much as teaching consumes your life there has to be a point where you prioritise yourself and your family. Hope you take the time you need and the rest of your pregnancy goes smoothly.

I feel your pain :( I planned on finishing work at 33 weeks taking 4 weeks holiday then starting Mat leave at 37. But due to SPD I got a sicknote at 30 weeks for 3 weeks. I literally couldn’t do it anymore. It was the best thing I ever did, resting made such a huge difference. The only problem with it was I’m now overdue and feel really
Bored and like I’ve rested all I can because I’ve been off work forever already.

Get signed off sick. I had too with my third as was simply exhausted. School will cope.

Sounds awful OP, I would be going off sick in your shoes

You need to get signed off. I had to leave earlier than planned (teacher too) due to madam being breech and her big fat lovely head being firmly wedged in my ribcage for weeks! I felt terrible but school coped.
Also totally understand the toilet situation. Every time I coughed or sneezed! We had a routine in the end where one of the kids would follow me out and find someone to sit with the class for a couple of mins. 'Mrs one day has pi**ed herself again!'.
We spend our career prioritising other people it's time to put you and your baby first. Good luck and congrats.