To feel so guilty about time off work

[ClementineBloodOrange]

NC as could be outing

I took 6 months off sick due to an anxiety disorder which is classed as a disability.
My workplace have given me reduced hours as a reasonable adjustment, which has made things easier.

Shortly after returning from sick leave I found out I was pregnant. So I've been having extra time off for appointments (when they can't be scheduled for my day off).

Now, I'm off work (yesterday afternoon and today) due to an infection. Nothing serious but very uncomfortable and midwife advised rest.

I've already had a couple of days off since returning from sick leave (due to morning sickness).

I'm just feeling really upset about taking time off and worried my managers, who have been supportive, are going to feel like I'm taking advantage.

I really hoped to not take any more time off. Partially because I worry about job security as I've had so much time off and have had dismissal considered during my long term absence. And partly because I just don't want my boss to think I'm a selfish freeloader :(

I am 6 months pregnant and have been back at work 6 months

If you are sick you are sick, there is no point feeling guilty.

I do understand though, I was sick during a pregnancy and had to go on bed rest. My boss said that over the length of my working life, (40 years) a few months was nothing.
If you need to be off work right now then accept that it is not forever and I hope all goes well for you.

hopefully you wont be sick in the next few months. are you going back to work after lo?

I get you, totally. I've had several spells of being off work for MH reasons and returned from my last one (at the end of Jan) pregnant. I've tried to manage it as proactively as I can by engaging with our Occ Health team but I do feel bad because I'm still technically on a phased return to work and probably will only just about get up to full time, office based before I go on mat leave. I'm trying to focus on just giving the best contribution I can when I'm in work but it's hard. I admit there's also part of me that worries people think I was taking the piss when I was off work because I was clearly well enough to have sex even though that's utterly ridiculous!

@HoraceCope

Yes I will be.

I'll be back at work tomorrow for a couple of months before maternity. Hope I don't have any more sickness :(

@mynameiscalypso

Haha I hadn't even thought of that!! I've had OCD since I was a child so if it prevented ever having sex I'd be a total virgin (I'm in my 30s now)

dont stress about it op, seriously. enjoy your pregnancy.

Thanks for being supportive. I don't want my boss to feel taken advantage of. But yes hopefully the next few months & when I get back after maternity I can make up for it.

I'm usually an intense perfectionist and really want to do well, which doesn't help the guilt.

Your boss will know if you're the sort of person to have a week off with toenail ache or if its legit. There's nothing you can do ex ept take care of you and baby.
Just be aware some places will make you go on mat leave after x weeks if you go on sick for pregnancy reasons. I think 32 weeks