Soooo so tired - is it right to miss work this early ? (7weeks)

[Littlegemby]

Ok I'm nearly 7 weeks so very early stages but but fighting the sandman all day. I am not sleeping well through the night - constant trips to the loo and gigantic sore boobs which put average sized beach balls to shame ! My problem is I work shifts 3 days are average 8-5 which I can deal with but then that's followed by 3 days of 4pm - midnight !!!

My job was very active outside and now I am unable to do it so I sit in an office on my own doing nothing. I am really struggling to stay awake and its really getting me down. I have lost all responsibility and have months of this to come ?

Today I can't even face work as I'm so tired after getting home at 1am? Is it fair for me to miss a day at work ?

Its very very reasonable at the stage you're at! It was the early days when I felt most exhausted and really found work a struggle. I was far luckier though as I was working 9-5 each day so just had ridiculously early nights most days.

Have you told work you're expecting? They may be more likely to be understanding under the circumstances. But obviously I understand if you haven't informed them.

I am 7,4 and took this week off because I felt so tired. Of course now I feel like a huge fraud because i feel great. Exercise and lots of water definitely gives you more energy. Is there any way you can take a walk around the block now and then?

Yes I have had to tell work due to my job as I am no longer able to do it for safety reasons. Trouble is there is another mum to be and she has swapped to all earlies and my boss has said he wants us to stay opposite leaving me on nights for the time being. She is a lot further on than me !

As for walks around the block no such luck at the moment I'm still in uniform and can't go out!

I am so pleased to hear you took a week off and I'm not the only person who is this shattered already : ) iv been talking to my partner and he thinks no one will even notice so I'm contemplating it just feel very wimpy !

Totally normal!! I'm 14+2 and still ready for my bed by about 6pm. I'm up a couple of times a night and am not sleeping well at all.

I'm sure I'm supposed to start glowing soon, but it looks unlikely!!

Poor you, very normal - I was completely shattered in the first trimester. I found heavy meals during the day really knocked me for six, so perhaps try eating lighter meals more often. On the plus you will feel better soon and you will have a lovely baby for all your hard work

I found the first 14 weeks so tiring. I could have fallen asleep on my feet. In fact, that is what made me do a pregnancy test.

What do you do? Could they do a proper risk assessment to allow you to do some of your old duties?

Unfortunately not i work As a civil servant ,I have no office duties so have nothing I am able to do while inside and am being given tasks such as make stickers for our notice board and the office could do with a tidy !

Last night my entire office was empty for 6 hrs and I just sat there on my own i don't know how long I can do that for its very draining and I'm used to being on the move all the time. This I also believe is contributing to me being so sleepy !

Oh my goodness I remember that stage! I'm a teacher and when I was newly pregnant I used to sit after the children went home at my desk holding my head up! I was shattered; couldn't stay awake after about 9pm! It will pass though! Hang in there!

I personally couldn't do it at all, hence I wondered what you did before to see if there was anything of that you could do rather than being cooped up doing nothing.

Any chance they could redeploy you? I cannot see how you can do nothing for the next 7 and a half months, you'll go mad!!

I'd take the odd day off just for sanity and ask them to risk assess you working late due to travelling home in the early hours and being very very tired! Maybe your GP could right you a fit note to say you are fit for certain duties and certain times?

Well luckily I had some holiday from last year to use up otherwise I probably wouldn't have because it does feel a bit wimpy. Our office has a snooze room with two reclining chairs and I intend to take full advantage of them when I get back...

Thank you all for your advice it has helped ! Iv spoken to my boss and he as predicted doesn't mind me having a few days off - after that I will have to have a chat to see if he can pop me on earlies. Iv never been a night owl but this is tough. I cannot be redeployed and never really expected being an indoor bunny would be quite so boring. 7 months will be horrendous so il have to deal with it but I must keep remembering its all for a very good cause and I am lucky to have a job.

Thank you for answering my very first thread !