To be signed off with pregnancy sickness

[Funkypolar]

I’m in the first trimester of pregnancy. Vomiting around 8 times per day and feeling badly nauseous. I had a phone call with my GP who prescribed Cyclizine to no effect. He’s now said there’s nothing more he can do and has signed me off work. As I’m barely able to get out of bed and fainted in the shower earlier.

I work for a huge public sector organisation. I’m relatively new and haven’t passed my probation yet but I know they can’t discriminate against my pregnancy sickness or count it towards sickness absence. I’ve had no other sick days or performance issues raised.

AIBU to take this time off?

In the past on Mumsnet I’ve read about women who went to work with miscarriages etc so there does seem to be an expectation that we should just get on with it.

I don’t feel guilty about not being at work, I don’t particularly like it. It’s more the awkwardness and I know they can’t discipline me for pregnancy related illness but I don’t really trust them either.

Cyclizine didn't help me.

Ondansetron worked but apparently it is expensive so GP's are reluctant to prescribe it but they are (or were, allowed to prescribe it).

You usually have to get admitted to hospital have it prescribed there and then have the GP continue prescribing it once you're back home.

Don't put up with this, I was unable to even hold down small quantities of water and regardless of how little your GP respects your need to be able to continue working, dehydration and starvation won't be doing the baby any good.

I took Cyclizine and something beginning with M, I think, together. It knocked me out but it was the only thing that worked (though, it was further on so over the worst bit).

Good luck.

Metoclopramide, maybe.

I had hyperemesis gravidarum. I was signed off for pretty much my entire pregnancy. You are not fit for work. X

I have HG. I was made redundant 4 weeks ago and I will not even be looking for another job (not that I would get one being pregnant!) as it’s absolutely not feasible for me to work. I don’t feel like my decision to not seek new employment is unreasonable and don’t think you are being unreasonable at all! Hope it starts to ease for you soon.

GPs sign women off work as it costs their practice nothing which is shameful as in many cases it's just finding the right prescription and being prepared to foot the bill.

How many women who were signed off for long periods of time actually got prescribed Ondansetron and found it didn't work ?