Should I ask to be excused from jury service while 19-20 weeks pregnant?

[NectarineSpring]

I've deferred my jury service once earlier this year, and have now found out i'm pregnant (first time). I'll be around 19-20 weeks when my jury service is supposed to be. I'm keen to do it and will be able to work-wise. I just don't know how it'll be, what if I need to pee every 30 minutes?! My 20 week scan might also be scheduled during the second week of jury service. Should I ask to be excused? Any advice appreciated!

Of course you should do it.
Good luck!

It's probably better to do it now than with a young baby

Do you work?

If it’s postponed, you might have to end up doing it when you have a baby. My dd postponed because she was at university three hours away and she had to do it in the summer holidays.

What is this thing with people not being able to comprehend the first post?

Of course you should do it. And there's no reason why you should need to pee so often so early on in your pregnancy.

Sorry I should have been clearer…. From home?

It’s in the OP.

You should wear flight socks if you do to combat the increased risk of dvt in pregnancy and sitting all day. Even at a desk job you move about more on average than when doing jury service

Yes if you say you’re pregnant you will be excused. Don’t ask to be deferred.

Not all women need to pee when pregnant, so I don't think you can use that as a reason to swerve it.

I would do it now, rather than when you have a small baby to find childcare for.

Second trimester is normally the easiest. I don't imagine you'll have any difficulty. I would definitely do it.

Much better to do it now before baby arrives than defer.

Having done jury service twice now, most recently in February, I can assure you that you won't be sitting down all day. There's lots of moving around from the court back into the waiting room, and back again, and then into the jury waiting room.

At 19/20 weeks it really won't be a problem!

You can go for a pee any time (you just ask the judge for a break) and when you turn up on day 1 they ask you very clearly to tell them about any hospital appointments etc so they can schedule trials around you. Jury service is very stop start

I think you’d be fine at 20 weeks. It’s past the first trimester awfulness but not onto the third trimester awfulness. I felt great from about 20-36 weeks with both pregnancies. Unless you’re unwell with it I wouldn’t think on its own it would be worth not doing.

Probably considerably easier than the jobs many people do at 19 (or indeed 29 or even 39) weeks pregnant so unless you're having a complicated pregnancy, should be fine.

And as PP have said, far easier to do it now rather than when you have a baby to consider!

You might not get chosen. They call in about 20 then it gets whittled down to 15 and from that 12 are chosen.

You dont need to decide against it now. You can see how your pregnancy progresses - hopefully all fine! But if not you can let them know then.

No reason at all why you can't do it. Hope it's an interesting case!

the thing I would want to check is that it doesn’t affect your qualifying pay for maternity pay

If you are having a smooth pregnancy, do it now and get it out of the way. much easier to serve now than with a baby or very young child.

If it turns out you are having a difficult pregnancy, show up on the day and let them know your situation when they ask about complications.

There are some really quite traumatic cases sometimes - a friend was put on a 5 week people trafficking case for example. So I think it’s best to make it clear you will be X weeks pregnant in case the court admin staff decide best not.

Honestly at 19 / 20 weeks it will be fine. I am having a hard pregnancy and am still working as a teacher. I will continue to do so until 37 weeks if I can. Lack of toilet breaks, tiredness and all.

My last pregnancy I took 30 children on a very long, very walking intensive school trip at 36 weeks. The only adjustment I made was taking enough staff so I didn't have to squeeze onto the spire parapet. My belly wouldn't have fitted. 😂

No, do it.

Or you'll get called back with a small baby, and that'll be even more of a pain 🫣

You can use the toilet, and you may only end up being a backup juror or dismissed anyway.