Caught Covid at work and pregnant

[Mightbeokmightnot]

I’ve posted this in the staff room but had nothing so…

I’m currently 16 weeks pregnant and isolating because I caught covid at work (secondary school teacher).

I’d had a risk assessment done (which obviously didn’t work very well given I still caught covid). I’ve luckily not been too ill with it and I’m sure this will be down to being fully vaccinated and boosted.

However, given I managed to catch covid despite all the extra ‘measures’ they’d put in place to protect me (which were token tbh), I’m now feeling anxious about potentially having to be teaching face to face during my third trimester? Rather than feeling more relaxed because I’ve caught it and been ok it’s made me realise that catching it in my third trimester is a genuine possibility. Won’t my booster have worn off by 28 weeks? What if it affects me differently or my baby badly because of how far along I am?

I spoke to a midwife about WFH from 28 weeks today and was told ‘that’s a conversation between you and your employer, we can’t give any guidance at this time’.

AIBU to be feeling throughly p’d off that this is the situation vulnerable pregnant teachers are in or will it be ok?

[quote Mightbeokmightnot]@Overthebow exactly- so I’ll potentially have even more covid positive students in my classroom. Looking on the gov website, ‘The current government guidance and union guidance states that Pregnant workers should continue working only if the risk assessment advises it is safe to do so after suitable control measures have been put in place. Pregnant workers should be involved in the risk assessment process and be satisfied that their continued working in the area does not put them or their baby at risk.

Where a significant health and safety risk is identified for pregnant workers, employers should adjust the working conditions or hours to remove the risk, where reasonably practicable to do so, or offer alternative work on the same terms and conditions. If this cannot be done, employers should suspend pregnant workers on full pay. This is in line with normal requirements‘ so no I wouldn’t have to take maternity leave early.[/quote]
It’s ultimately up to your employer though. They might be nice and agree but they don’t have to if there’s no specific guidance and they think the risk assessment is fair.

@Beginit

How do you know you caught covid at work and not anywhere else?

Says someone who’s clearly not been in a school for the last 2 years…

@Beginit because work was the only place I’d been in the 5 days prior to testing positive - and I’m sat in an airless classroom with up to 150 students a day. Each of my classes had at least 3 students off with covid and many of my students had positive siblings and parents at home….

@OnceuponaRainbow18

@Overthebow ‘Pregnant workers should be involved in the risk assessment process and be satisfied that their continued working in the area does not put them or their baby at risk.’

I do work in HR, albeit in an office not a school. We’ve allowed pregnant women to work from home in third trimester but our job can very easily be done working from home anyway.

I just think you’re setting yourself up for more upset by having unreasonable expectations, I’m guessing as a teacher it’s not practical for you to work from home? So realistically what can an employer do apart from making sure government guidelines are followed and any other protections can be put in place where possible? They obviously can’t stop you catching it and I’m guessing you’re not only attending work and otherwise staying isolated?

As others have pointed out your third trimester is likely to fall into a period of very very few restrictions. I think you’re better off trying to adapt and overcome anxiety than work yourself up over something that might not be possible.

If you’ve had all 3 vaccines and are not seriously ill with Covid now, it’s unlikely you will catch Covid again before the end of your pregnancy AND be seriously sick with it.

If there’s other considerations outside of pregnancy request to speak to OH or make a GP appointment.

X post sorry - can you ask to change classrooms to one which allow ventilation? This may be a reasonable request if there are classrooms available or that could be easily swapped

You will essentially need to find something to back up your claim that you need wfh - be that a medical professional or guidance. At the moment neither of them are likely too as it's not currently recommended

[quote Mightbeokmightnot]@AgathaMystery I’ll try my gp first - I was hoping for some more support/guidance from the midwife but it felt like she was absolving herself of any decision making or responsibility.[/quote]
The midwife’s role is to give mothers the information that is currently available. It’s the mother’s job to decide what to do with that information. Saying she’s absolving herself of responsibility is inappropriate. I’m sure you are aware of the guidelines. Unless you’ve not been in contact with my one apart from pupils at school you’d be hard pushed to prove you got covid at school. As others have said, if you’re worried about catching it again in your 3rd trimester but school are following covid protocols at that point, you have the option of starting your mat leave from 11 weeks before your baby is due.

@Mightbeokmightnot I read that bit but it’s still ultimately up to your employer, they have the final say. If you feel strongly about it you should make sure you talk to them about it now and come up with a back up plan yourself if you don’t like their answer.

Thanks @Opus17

@Disgruntledpelicanlady the medical advice and guidance does currently recommend pregnant women work from home though

@user1471504747 I don’t know how to quote you but I honestly just think I need to have this as a mantra for a few weeks;

If you’ve had all 3 vaccines and are not seriously ill with Covid now, it’s unlikely you will catch Covid again before the end of your pregnancy AND be seriously sick with it.

I’ll ask about moving classrooms as the room I’m in currently doesn’t actually have windows but I think it’ll be difficult.

Considering you have been vaccinated and had the booster I do not see how being pregnant makes you vulnerable

You have just said you feel fine with civid now so you will be next time too.

OP if you get a FFP3 don’t take it off! I’ve taught for 2 years in one and have never caught covid but I keep it on all the time. I actually find them easier to speak and breathe in than cloth and surgical masks because there is more space between your mouth and the mask. Just speak loud and clearly and it’s fine. I even did Ofsted in my mask. The minute you take it off, you’re not protected. Remember aerosols can also stay in the classroom after people have left so I keep my mask in until I’m outside and eat my lunch outside too. It’s not ideal but not sure what else you can do. Are you in a union? If so, it might be worth checking their advice for pregnant teachers as well. This is the link for the NEU:
neu.org.uk/advice/high-risk-groups

I feel for you! I'm in my third trimester, my employer hasn't done a risk assessment despite me asking in writing and I'm on my fifth day of covid (almost certainly got from work). 111 sent me to A&E last night as the breathlessness got so bad - so I dont blame you for wanting to be off.

I hope you feel less anxious by then and have a lovely rest of your pregnancy

How can you be sure that you caught covid at work?
The midwife doesn’t have the authority to tell you to wfh.
Your employer should be doing risk assessments regularly and if you agree with the outcome then you will remain at work.
If you are feeling really anxious about working you should see your GP about being signed off.

I've been working throughout the pandemic, which is not desk based, I interact with lots of people in a busy environment and I'm 34 weeks pregnant. I got covid at 30 weeks pregnant and was fine.

I got Covid before vaccines came out, and I was 32 weeks. I didn't want to stop at 28 weeks, as I'm not CEV and absolutely hate online teaching. Baby and I were fine. If you're vaccinated that gives you extra protection.

OP, I feel for you. This is a lesson in centering YOURSELF in pregnancy, because no one else will.

Sick notes have different sections & one of those allows for adjustments to be made to allow you to work.

I write out many sick notes a week & some of the adjustments are ‘work from home’ ‘not customer facing’ ‘no night shifts’ ‘not to work 3 days in a row’ etc.

I work with women who are pregnant & have Covid. They are very anxious. I understand. Prioritise yourself please. It’s okay to do this. Many midwives do not feel confident writing a plan for a sick note and asking doctors to review them. It’s your midwife’s job to be your advocate. I’m sad this isn’t happening.

By the time you are in your third trimester we will be into spring and numbers should be significantly lower than they are now so that will have a huge impact. You have also now had it so that will boost your immunity. Think you may have to accept though that the school are unlikely to agree that you can work from home from 28 weeks especially as the general move is to a 'living with attitude'.

Scary as it is OP you’ll be okay. Hope you’re recovering well currently

There’s currently a very reassuring thread floating about asking for experiences of those who have had vaccines during their pregnancy and now have healthy babies. Maybe starting a similar thread asking about those who had Covid during pregnancy would help reassure you.

Just to reassure you I'v got covid too at 23 weeks pregnant and the midwives are not concerned at all.
Mine was not caught in a workplace as I'm a SAHM.

Where a significant health and safety risk is identified for pregnant workers

I can only imagine that you would be considered for home working if you met this I.e you are CEV. If you are vaccinated, otherwise healthy and have recently just had covid and been fine, it is very unlikely you will fall into this category. I do sympathise and understand the worry. I am a teacher and was pregnant in my third trimester when Covid first kicked off.

Can you point me in the direction of where something says that?
Just curious as I'm a pregnant teacher and want to/planning to remain face to face until I stop working at 38 weeks