Being signed off work

[McKTastic]

Am not doing v well at this pregnancy malarky! Had HG up until 21 weeks - signed off for 5 of them. Have been back at work for about 6 weeks now. Am now suffering with SPD and back probs - having physio & wearing a support belt been told next stage is crutches which I'd like to avoid. Was planning on working till 37 weeks - Have another 7 of them to work (have two weeks hols too). Don't want time to drag anymore than it is but am struggling more & more - def easier at weekends. Our baby is the most important thing but can't help feeling I'm being a wimp & feel crap at thought of being off AGAIn. Anyone had similar issues/going through same. I know some people are much worse off and don't get choice - do I grit my teeth or throw in the towel in the hope of preventing it all getting too much?

Hi I don't have the same heAlth issues as you but asthma and currently really stressed with work issues. It is down to personal taste but from friends who have been there, done it, I would say you want to be in the best of health possible to deal with the labour and what follows and if that means leaving work a bit earlier, then definitely worth considering.

Also, which do you think you would regret least?

I hope it all works out for you x

I've got SPD and am using crutches for any distance that is not pottering... and yes I'm considering going off early. I'm a teacher and finding it difficult....

Oh but I'm only 5 months so feeling that I would be REALLY be wimping out if I went off now.... so trying not to.

Hi, I totally agree with OopmalLumpa. I have had HG since wk 5 am now in wk 18.
Was in hospital for 9 days over new year and have been off work ever since. Initially I felt really guilty and it was hard knowing that work probably think I'm one of those people who gets pregnant and never goes back to work but the longer this goes on the less I care.

Yes it's made things difficult financially but after 4 years of TTC and this baby going through 2 threatenened miscarriges and the most horrendous Hyperemesis that still has me puking 3-4 times every day I just feel our health is more important. I'm still over a stone lighter than I was pre-pregnancy and so weakened that walking to the end of the road has me exhausted so there's just no way I'm risking making anything worse.

Maternity leave is there for a reason, I know there are some scroungers out there who give us all a bad name and unsympathetic workplaces who tar us all with the same brush but if starting your leave early is what's best for you and your baby to hell with what they think. Pregnancy is so short and so precious however hard it is that you really need to make the most of it not suffer for the sake of a workplace who I guarantee won't thank you!

I wish you all the luck in the world, never feel guilty I have no doubt you will make whatever decision is right for both you and your baby xx

I've left at 29 weeks. Work was stressful and not good for me or the baby. I don't know why a workplace would be unsympathetic that you want to leave earlier than you planned if it is that or be signed off sick - cheaper for them in the long run anyway!