Sick leave worries?

[bunchofposy]

Hello

I'm 20 weeks and since a nasty virus at about 12 weeks I have felt so rubbish. I went to the doctor who said I have a bacterial throat infection. She gave me some antibiotics but it seems to have never properly gone away, and recently has got worse again. Some days I feel OK but I went to work yesterday and just felt wiped out and had to come home. I haven't gone in today.

I seem to have had quite a few odd days off sick in the past two months and I feel a bit rubbish about it, but neither do I seem to be ever getting fully better. I have a DD who is almost 3 and still wakes in the night, and I think that probably isn't helping!

Not really sure why I am posting, just wondered if anyone else was feeling similar or having similar worries about work and sick leave. Despite trying to 'relax' I don't seem to be able to because I feel bad about being off and keep thinking about the work I have to do. Catch 22!

I have the same worries. I work in a very small team and if someone is on holiday and then I'm sick no work with clients can get done so I feel very guilty!!
but you have to take care of you and your baby, that is what's most important.
also don't forget that you're legally entitled to as much sick leave as u need while pregnant and no one can say a thing about it!!
hope you're feeling ok!

If you're sick then you're sick. Going into work only spreads the illness and you will not be productive anyway, as you found out. The thing with pregnancy is, your immune system is already lowered, you can't fight things off as easily as normal and you can't take a lot of the medications that others can in order to get through the day. Add a toddler to the mix and disturbed sleep, it's no wonder you are so exhausted. It is hard when you are normally dedicated to your job but this is one time you really need to put yourself first. It's not like its forever, and an employer could be affected by someone who suddenly is diagnosed with a long term condition at any time. I think pregnant women get a bad rap for things, when its all over working mums are the most productive and dedicated!

Try not to fret about it, get back to the doctor if you are still really suffering and don't even think about work. I am 27 weeks, have a non-sleeping 3 year old and only work 1 day a week, and you can guarantee the day I will be ill! But that's life. Fortunately I only have a month left at work before taking annual leave and then mat leave. The only thing to bear in mind, if it might affect you, is that an employer can insist you start your mat leave at 35 or 36 weeks if you have been off ill (I think). But by then it may not matter at all.

Sending you hugs, hope it all eases soon x

Thanks so much for your replies, they have made me feel a bit less awful/guilty!

I think I might try and get signed off for a bit,if this doesn't go away in the next week or so. I know what you mean about pg women getting bad rap. I can't help but feel a bit pathetic when I say I don't feel well (esp to blank faced colleagues), esp as it's nothing awful like SPD or hyperemesis. But I have to remember I have a little parasite inside me who is getting all the good stuff! Like you say, I think my immune system is just struggling.

Thanks again. x

I'm in a similar situation but further ahead at 30 weeks, and so fed up with being ill all the time, with one thing after the other, that I'm thinking of starting maternity leave at 32 weeks instead of at 36 weeks. I'm just so fed up of constantly getting ill and feeling guilty about it.

I feel the same buttery, ie have also been wondering if I should bring mat leave forward (to as soon as possible, if this is to carry on!)

But equally you shouldn't have to lose a month's mat pay because of illness. Could you consider getting signed off?

bunchofposy, thanks :), its reassuring to see I'm not the only one. I'll have a chat with Dr and see what he says.