Pregnant teacher - AIBU to go back to school as soon as they reopen?

[user1487755366]

I'm interested in what the consensus is. All going well, I'll be 13 weeks pregnant by the 1st June. So far, I've stayed off the school rota, with my headteacher's agreement. I'm itching to get back (although I have enjoyed spending the first trimester working from home) but equally don't want to take any unnecessary risks. The RCOG advice seems to suggest that pregnant women don't carry too many extra risks (though it does make me wonder why we are still classified as vulnerable).

What do you think and, if you are in a similar position, what are you planning?

Consensus is immaterial.

What is the guidance from your LA?

What does your union have to say?

Don't be a martyr. Follow the advice. Do you imagine the government gives a shiny shit about you? And yet it advises pregnant women to stay home.

I think you need to speak to a doctor to discuss the risks. Can you try to get an appointment with someone at your hospital?

Why would you want to take that risk, however small it may be?

No one knows how the virus would affect them personally and just being pregnant reduces your immune system.

I'm also a pregnant teacher, although further along than you, and there's no way I'll be back on the rota. Firstly because I don't feel it's worth the risk but also because my HT wouldn't let me as he has a duty of care to protect me.

The unions are very clear; pregnant women are at a higher risk.

My union says nothing yet - I'm guessing because the government has made an official announcement yet.
I've been following this advice:

www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/coronavirus-pregnancy/covid-19-virus-infection-and-pregnancy/

My doctor has just directed me to the government websites.
I have a midwife appointment at the hospital this week and will ask then but nobody is giving explicit advice. Hubby works as in NHS (frontline) and thinks I should go.

A bit different but my work sent me home before the government even suggested it. My headteacher is a science specialist and has been reading about the risks. Temperatures etc in the early days aren’t good and there are links to premature birth later along.

I’m on my 2nd and was around 28 weeks when lockdown happened, I’ve already had one preemie and he didn’t feel comfortable with me being in school.

Personally I think you’d be silly to not follow advice given by the professionals, if anything went wrong you’d never forgive yourself

I disagree that the unions are clear. I'm not talking about the rota (I'm staying off that for now). I mean when we reopen properly...

What a goady post. Too many babies are stillborn or die neonatally as is it and the government does little to try to combat this, yet they are actively telling pregnant mothers to shield and you still think it’s worth taking the risk? Why?!

The government guidelines are that pregnant women are in the high risk, rather than extremely high risk and should be careful, but they will have to be more explicit about what that looks like. The same as for all the groups in that category, I guess.

They may say all that group must return to work if it’s looking like schools can’t safely open without them.

yet they are actively telling pregnant mothers to shield

They aren’t though.

Pregnant women are not in the shielding (extremely vulnerable) group unless they have significant heart disease.

@SunbathingDragon - I don't see anything goady about my post at all nor have I seen anything that suggests that pregnant woman are in the shielding category. Instead, I know I am high risk and I have been taking the necessary precautions - not going out unless absolutely necessary etc. I am following government advice and asking a wider pool of people for their advice too.

www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/coronavirus-pregnancy/covid-19-virus-infection-and-pregnancy/

Royal College of Obs and Gynae advice, explaining why pregnant women were placed in the vulnerable category, should observe social distancing and stating only pregnant women with cardiac conditions should shield.

YANBU to go back if you want to go back so long as you are comfortable with the risks. It is 100% your decision, just make sure it's an informed one

There are lots of things you might choose to do whilst pregnant that some people would deem too risky and others would choose to do.

For example, I used to ride horses regularly (several times a week) prior to getting pregnant. I'd ridden all my life and knew lots of people who had ridden through pregnancy. However, once I got to 8 weeks pregnant I stopped riding as I decided the risk wasn't worth the reward to me. I can always take up riding again, but I would never have forgiven myself if something had happened to the baby. As it stands I had bleeding throughout my pregnancy from 14 weeks onwards and a placental abruption at 33+2. If I'd continued riding then I would have blamed myself (even though it wasn't the cause) but as it stands I knew I'd done absolutely everything I could to protect my baby.

I’m a midwife and still working face to face with patients at 14 weeks and will do until the last trimester. However we do wear PPE. Just a face mask, gloves, and apron but it does feel a bit safer. We also have the facilities to wash our hands nigh on constantly. I would definitely recommend negating the risks as much as possible with hand sanitiser, hand washing, antibac wipes etc. I’d go stir crazy at home though tbh.

www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/coronavirus-pregnancy/covid-19-virus-infection-and-pregnancy/&ved=2ahUKEwjO34jWh5rpAhVYRhUIHSHzA-8QFjABegQIBBAL&usg=AOvVaw3IVNetSuqMQxqWOklVAZbf

Link that should work.

I have the same dilemma as a self employed hairdresser 😭 obviously we haven't been told we can go back to work yet but when we are allowed I would risk throwing my whole business away as everyone is desperate for their hair if I don't go back but at the same time Is it worth my babies health ? No nothing is so I need to have a serious think when we are told we are allowed to reopen. I'm already in my 3rd trimester and was only planning on taking 4weeks off prior to this virus.

I work in the NHS. Staff are expected to be working normally until 28 weeks. In some cases they can be moved to a different area. In theory the 2nd trimester is the least risky. This is only an anecdote but my SIL has been working (NHS) and caught covid at about 24 weeks. She wasn't that ill and has thankfully recovered fine.

YANBU to do your own risk assessment and decide, along with your school, that you are happy to work.

I won’t be allowed back, I was told as much on the last day. I’m a lot further along than you though, I’m in the third trimester which is the biggest risk.

Advice from the NEU

neu.org.uk/coronavirus-what-you-need-know-pregnancy-and-maternity

Point 3 says

If you are pregnant, whatever stage of your pregnancy, we say you should not be in school. Government advice is that all pregnant women, as well as those with underlying health conditions, should work from home if possible, avoid public transport and avoid social contact.

It's a tricky one, OP. I'm in the second trimester and will only be 21 weeks by the 1st June. I don't know if I'll be asked to come back in, I daresay SLT will call to discuss it and inform me of their position. Upshot is, if I'm asked to go in, I will. If not, I won't. It's very tough though, because I miss my class and don't want to leave them without a teacher, especially this close to the end of the year. I understand your dilemma.