Slow miscarriage - getting signed off?

[Unicorse]

Hi all, I am currently having a miscarriage at 9 weeks pregnant. I have known for a while y baby wasn't developing in-line with expected dates and have been weekly scans at EPU.

I'm a teacher and had three days off just before half term when I found out that there was a 50:50 chance if miscarriage as I was so upset, this is my seventh miscarriage in 2.5 years and I really thought this would be my miracle baby.

I started bleeding on Tuesday and was hoping to have passed everything this week but it's still just a very slow bleed with random gushes every few hours. Even the heavier gushes aren't enough to fill a pad.

My school have been really understanding about my absence but I am really worried about going back to work before the miscarriage is complete. I can't just leave the classroom to go to the toilet without finding cover and the staff toilets are in a separate building to my classroom. I have a final scan tomorrow to check that the miscarriage is underway and see if it needs medically managing. Will the EPU be able to sign me off until I have miscarried? I'm really worried that school will count half term as absence as I was off just before we broke up but equally can't bear the thought of going back while still in the halfway house of pregnant/not pregnant.

When I had medical management last month, I took the first dose on a Friday & was in the Gynae ward on the Sunday for second part of medication. I'd miscarried that morning. The Gynae doctor wrote a fit note for me. I took the following week off. I'm a teacher as well. I could have taken a further week off too, but wanted to get back into a routine. As soon as I found out it was a MMC at the EPU at a 9 week scan, I went straight home instead of back into school. It's pregnancy related absence, they can't discriminate if you take time off, not that they necessarily would. Take the time off you need and don't go back until you are ready. Ask that EPU, but I don't know if it needs to be a doctor to write a fit note or not.

Thanks @somethingluscious, that's really helpful. I'm so sorry for your loss

Hi @Unicorse, just wanted to drop in and say that I am a teacher too and also going through a miscarriage right now. I am so lucky my school are supportive, they have encouraged me to take this week off. I also had two days off the week I found out I was pregnant due to anxiety related to my low hcg level (IVF so was confirmed that way) as it was explained back then that the pregnancy could go either way. I don't think the school can count the three days you had as the same absence and you can self-certify for a week. If I were you I would just be upfront with the school as to how it is impacting you. Hopefully they'll be understanding but if not, you are entitled to have a few days off at least and your GP can sign you off after this. I hope it works out for you, everyone keeps telling me that I need to take as much time as I need but it is definitely not in our nature as teachers to put ourselves first!

Thanks for posting @clhsgirl and I am so sorry for your loss. I totally understand the anxiety from the early uncertainty about whether or not the pregnancy would progress. Its awful isn't it. I'm glad your school are supportive of you.

I had a confirmation scan at the EPAU yesterday and the consultant has signed me off for two weeks as the miscarriage is still only in the early stages and I may still need medical intervention at some point. My head has been really supportive and very understanding but I know the academy trust aren't always the most understanding. It's a relief not to have to worry about work with everything else going on.