Do I go to the MW or doctor?

[Fatted]

I'm only around 6 weeks I've had my original appointment with the community mw and my booking appointment isnt until three weeks with the hospital mw. I have been worried about work since becoming pregnant and have found my shifts/working alone for long periods difficult already due to sickness/tiredness etc. Today has been so stressful my heart has been racing all afternoon and I feel like I could cry. It sounds awful but I feel like I need to have my hours changed already. I would like to point out I'm not usually a shirker! But this is not good for my baby surely?! Who should I speak to re getting a note to change my hours? Any advice greatly received!

You go to neither... You speak to your manager

i would speak to your boss first and foremost. they do have to do a risk assessment thingy if you are pregnant, so they may well be happy to let you cut down hours anywayt.

if not then I would speak to the midwife

No doctor will give you a "note" you dont need one there are legal rights in place if you feel at risk just talk to your boss, beware though that they have no duty to pay you full hours if you choose to reduce

Work have advised they will not make any changes without note from health professional detailing reasons why I need to change working hours, hence my question. Line manager is generally quite good but is limited in what can be done. I work for long periods of time on my own and we dont have enough hours as it is to cover the shifts, let alone making sure there is always someone with me.

Im not sure that is a legal imposition for them to make! I would be very surprised if your doctor or midwife would issue anything, perhaps u could ask for an early scan? Altho i doubt the NHS will fund it for that reason. Perhaps your midwife would call or write to your employer but i must say i find the attitude of your employer horrid

i am pretty sure the GP or midwife would write a note actually, just like they would for a sick note surely?

i don't think they should have to do that, mind you.

Have you told your work you are pregnant or just asked to change your hours on general medical grounds. I think if they know you are pregnant then they have to do a risk assessment and if your hours are a problem this should highlight that. Do you have an occupational health department?

You need to get in contact with your human resources department and set up an appointment with occupational health with them. They will go through your job risks and set out reccomendations for work conditions. Well that's what happened at my work.

I'd go see your doctor if I were you.
For illnesses they can issue a 'fitness for work' note which specifies how your condition affects your ability to work, so I don't see whay they couldn't do something similar for pregnancy.
However, as other posters have said the onus is on your work to carry out a risk assessment.

Definitely legal obligation for your work to do a risk assessment if they know you are pregnant. See the section on "health and safety for pregnant employees" here - www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Moneyandworkentitlements/WorkAndFamilies/Pregnancyandmaternityrights/DG_10026556 . It also gives advice on what to do if your employer won't do anything

MATB1 is the form from your midwife to your employer to formally confirm pregnancy but that isn't issued until 20 weeks.

Your doctor can write you a letter - but they will likely charge you for it :)