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Original poster

My deafness is getting worse and work have suggested I take early maternity leave

41 replies

Enif · 21/02/2006 13:40

I don't want to

but I can't hear anything in meetings and it is irritating everyone. Also still have bad cough.

I feel OK tbh but the deafness is isolating and upsetting me.

they feel it is pg related. My gp doesnt agree and will sign me off sick...BUT I dont want to go yet, have tons of things I want to finish before I go

OP posts:
foxinsocks · 21/02/2006 13:40

don't go if you don't want to (will make you miserable)

have you asked to see an ENT?

Original poster
Enif · 21/02/2006 13:43

no

think i will ring gp again tomorrow

he says it is glue ear (cold related)

but it started off being quite funny and now its horrible

my assistant has had music on all day and I didnt realise

Couldnt hear a word chairwoman of meeting was saying earlier

can't answer the phone

OP posts:
foxinsocks · 21/02/2006 13:48

no quick solution to glue ear - dd is so deaf now they refuse to do hearing tests because they say there is no point (have another appointment this week!)

I would press for ENT - though perhaps your ears will clear up when you finally get rid of the cough/cold thing

oliveoil · 21/02/2006 13:49

what?

harpsichordcarrier · 21/02/2006 13:49

it's clearly not pg related
don't let them pressure you into going off early

motherinferior · 21/02/2006 13:50

Agree with HC. Don't let them pressure you - it may be sick leave that you need to take, but don't eat into your maternity leave.

foxinsocks · 21/02/2006 13:51

how much longer have you got left?

motherinferior · 21/02/2006 13:51

I frankly don't see why work should be better at diagnosing pregnancy-related conditions than your doctor. And although I have had no gynaecological training myself, I don't remember any tubular connections...

jellyjelly · 21/02/2006 13:52

Get the gp to sign you off rather than using your maternity weeks off for this. How many weeks are you? I got signedoff really ealry and found it isolating but it was the best thing and i kept my weeks so i got paid for longer.

HJ · 21/02/2006 13:53

Emm...............I had a cold when I was pregnant and could not hear for about 3 weeks, had the baby and magically could hear again. My doctor did say that this would happen, but I didn't believe him!

LadySherlockofLGJ · 21/02/2006 13:54

ENID

Answer me a question, if you were not PG and just going deaf would they dare discriminate against you.

OMG I am so angry.........my DH was profoundly deaf, prior to his implant.

Sounds like they need some Disability Awareness Training

LadySherlockofLGJ · 21/02/2006 13:54

ENID

Answer me a question, if you were not PG and just going deaf would they dare discriminate against you.

OMG I am so angry.........my DH was profoundly deaf, prior to his implant.

Sounds like they need some Disability Awareness Training

krabbiepatty · 21/02/2006 13:54

Take some sick leave. Is it because congestion si worse in pg they think it is pg-related? They can't make you start mat leave early even if you have a pg=related illness.

LadySherlockofLGJ · 21/02/2006 13:55

See how angry I am......

Original poster
Enif · 21/02/2006 13:58

lol

I have said in passing 'oh its taking ages to go as congestion is worse in pg' - stupid me

I only have 5 weeks left but I really want to carry on working. my replacment doesnt start for four weeks and I need to handover properly.

will speak to gp.

OP posts:
LadySherlockofLGJ · 21/02/2006 13:59

It is discrimination plain and simple.

Rhubarb · 21/02/2006 14:01

Enif? have I missed something?

dd is deaf in one ear too, very annoying for her. Poor you.

foxinsocks · 21/02/2006 14:02

apart from you being upset (don't know what job you do), surely they can manage to speak a bit louder for a few more weeks?

zippitippitoes · 21/02/2006 14:03

I reached this point enid (not pregnant obv) but then it cleared up I was having terrible trouble trying to take orders from people over the phone but it did then clear up..I spent a while in the shower blocking one nostril and blowing nose like mad

or try steaming your head with karvol or olbas and then blowing nose

Marina · 21/02/2006 14:03

Congestion is not caused by PG though, enid, and therefore not a legal reason to sign you off early. Stand your ground.

bossykate · 21/02/2006 14:04

even if it is pg related you can get a sick note until 4wks before your due - you don't have to take your mat leave early for this.

cod · 21/02/2006 14:04

Message withdrawn

krabbiepatty · 21/02/2006 14:05

Speaking of congestion, anyone else pg foudn they had to try and sleep sitting up? A poor plan..

foxinsocks · 21/02/2006 14:05

maybe you sound and look worse than you feel and they were trying to be helpful

still no point in going off if you don't want/need to

bossykate · 21/02/2006 14:05

your due date.

women can't be forced to take mat leave before 4wks before due date for any sickness - this is really important!!!

remember the earlier you go the less time you will have afterwards. of course employers want you to take mat leave rather than sick time - don't give in!!!