Time off work due to miscarriage

[maz1993]

Hi I had an early miscarriage at 9 weeks and due back today for a scan to check I don't need any further treatment. My sick note runs out today but I just feel like I cant face going back to work tomorrow. I am a teacher and don’t have the energy to put into my class just yet ( really challenging cohort) Doctor said he will sign me off until a week on Friday to take me up to half term. I just feel so guilty and wondering if I should take the time or just get on with it . Has anyone had similar experiences . Thankyou xx

I’m a teacher too and had 2 weeks off early a miscarriage back in March. It tagged onto Easter holidays, giving me 4 weeks off effectively. I’m so glad it worked out that way because after the 2 weeks there was no way I could do my job properly.

teaching is one of those ‘emotional’ jobs where you have to invest all your energy and put others first. You can’t do that if your own cup is empty, especially as you are still having investigations for further treatment. I also needed the 2 weeks for the physical side of the MC and then the other 2 weeks to be emotionally ready.

Take the time and be ready to give your class your best when you come back ❤

Hi @maz1993 - sorry for your loss. Fellow teacher also- I had a miscarriage in Feb (we found out the Thursday of half term and I had a MVA on the Friday) I took a full month off. I agree fully with @AFeastForCrows such an emotional job. I have four y11 classes and felt so guilty I wasn’t in but looking back I really really needed that time. I originally was going to go back after two weeks but I just didn’t feel there and strong so asked my GP for an extra two weeks. Look after yourself x

Definitely take the time. I'm also a teacher. There is nowhere to hide, literally, when you are in front of a class. It's not a job you can do when you are not emotionally or physically well.

I’ve just experienced my first miscarriage and I’m wondering the same. I have a 2 week line but I’m unsure how I will be when that runs out. Work has been very supportive though and told me not to rush back

Sorry for your losses everyone. I had a miscarriage picked up on 20 week scan in March measuring 17 weeks and 3 days. I was induced and that went wrong and i ended up having surgery under general anaesthetic. I had 5 days in hospital total and was signed off work for 4 weeks. I was very unwell afterwards as i lost so much blood in the induced that i kept fainting. Afrer 4 weeks I started working again but on a phased returned to work.

Sorry for your loss. Please take the time off and don't feel guilty. Teacher here, also had a m/c, went back too quickly and was not emotionally resilient enough to go back, walked into a classroom where a pregnant colleague was teaching and had to walk back out again. Had to be signed off again until I felt less fragile.

I’ve taken three weeks off so far after a 15w3d loss and I’m planning to return next week and do a three day week working from home and then another week after that working from home. I then have a holiday for a week. So technically I’m going to be not fully back at work for six weeks. I don’t think I’d be able to face people, especially kids. Take your time. It’s a protected reason to be off so don’t feel guilty. Xxxx

Don't feel guilty. Do what is right for you.

This is more about the lack of compassion in teaching 💓 I was a teacher for ten years and didn’t get my breast lump checked for weeks because I was made to feel bad for taking time off.
im no longer a teacher and work in a job where you’re not made to feel guilty for being unwell.
i had to take off over three weeks because of my MC and complications and all I got was support and compassion which I know wouldn’t have happened if I was still a teacher.

take as much time off as you need x