Struggling with work at 23 weeks pregnant

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Please tell me it will get slightly easier before I go on maternity. The thought of another 13-14 weeks of this makes me want to cry!

I'm not sleeping well at night already so I'm absolutely exhausted. I have a job where I can fully WFH but company policy says 3 days a week in the office. On my WFH days I'm taking a nap during my lunch break just to get through the day. Without this I really struggle.

On top of this I'm really struggling with breathlessness and ligament pain so walking any distance really takes it out of me. So commuting to the office is really hard work.

Is there anything I can do or do I just have to suck it up? I feel completely miserable, I'm aware I'm not really considered that far on yet but it's so difficult and I don't think I should be feeling like this when there's still so long left to go. Should I tell work how I'm feeling?

Just speak to your midwife and GP and they can do you a fit note for example she needs to wfh full time etc. Better than not doing your job at all. Alternatively I was so unwell in my last pregnancy with 1 year full sick pay available in my excellent corporate job (I'd also never been off sick before in the past decade) that my GP signed me off for the last 2.5 months of my pregnancy. It did mean mat leave kicked in 'early' but it was only about a week before I was due to go on mat leave anyway.

I would tell work to see if you can cut down your office days until you go on maternity leave. I only go to the office once per week and it really tires me out (17 weeks pregnant). I didn’t go in at all during the first trimester because of sickness and no one minded. It also might be a good idea so you can try to avoid catching colds/covid!

Also don't speak to work first- speak to your midwife/GP first then go from there.

I wasn't anticipating it to be so difficult but commuting to the office really takes it out of me. 3 days is just too much. I just don't want to be judged for having to reduce my days but I don't see the point in struggling through

Sorry to hear you're having a tough time, OP. If you speak to your work they should put you in touch with occupational health, who can make recommendations for adjustments. Increased WFH is often a quick win - I was sent to OH after I developed high blood pressure in pregnancy and that was the main thing they suggested. Hope you feel more comfortable soon and the rest of your pregnancy goes smoothly.

Would HR be able to help me in this instance?

I was like this in my first pregnancy
i had to go on maternity leave at 25 weeks (3 weeks holiday followed by maternity leave) as I physically couldn’t manage it. Might be something you need to think about
Second pregnancy I worked up until the week before (she was 2 weeks early)
every pregnancy is different - do what works for you

@LittleMousewithcloggson Not an option for me to take early maternity unfortunately and I've no AL left

If you are feeling breathless, get checked for anaemia, you may need iron supplements. That would possible help with exhaustion too.

Have HR done your risk assessment or any other calls with you since you told work you're pregnant? If not they should, get in touch and arrange one but have a midwife or GP letter ready for that call so that they can make adjustments to how often you need to be in the office.

Get your iron levels checked. The breathlessness sounds like anaemia.

You do normally feel a bit better in the middle period and it doesn't sound like a particularly physical job so, although tiredness is normal, this is more extreme.

Low iron can completely wipe you but iron tablets work quickly.

Get your iron levels checked. The breathlessness sounds like anaemia.

I agree. Go and see your GP and explain how you're feeling - the kind of exhaustion you describe isn't normal at 23 weeks pregnant if you are healthy and well and the pregnancy is progressing without complications.

No I haven't had a risk assessment yet

Will definitely get my iron levels checked. I had low iron pre pregnancy so wouldn't be surprised if that was the case. I put the breathlessness down to growing baby

Do the risk assessment. Ask if you can wfh more. Shown willing to come in when you can.

You should have absolutely had a risk assessment done by now, so get them to do that. As everyone else has said, also speak to your midwife / GP for support too.

I've found pregnancy difficult too, my energy didn't really return until about 25 weeks, and now at 29 weeks it's going again!

Def get iron levels checked. I find pregnancy goes through peaks and troughs. Some weeks I’m exhausted, some I’m less so! I’m 31 weeks and commuting in 3 days a week plus have a toddler at home. It’s knackering! I’m asking work if I can do a day from home from now on.