Am I mad?

[Rosienana]

So I'm 15 weeks and, pregnancy wise, all seems to be going smoothly :-) However I also have MS and the symptoms seem to be carrying on through pregnancy rather than subsiding so still getting hip pain, fatigue, funny vision... Then last week I ended up in A&E with a severe headache. They have ruled out anything too horrid, but I'm still waiting for further tests to finally rule out any other problems.

I have a rather physically demanding job that involves regular travel. I'm still working full time and, even though boss has advised we can look at changing my duties while pregnant, am still doing my normal job. I'm nervous about changing my role in case I go back after maternity leave and my original job (which I love) is no longer there.

So, am I mad trying to juggle pregnancy, health, job? Or should I admit defeat and look at changing my role slightly and hope my job's still the after mat leave.

Sorry for long post... Any advice gratefully received!

R

No I don't think you're mad, you know in yourself whether you can handle it or not. On the flip side, why don't you tell your boss that you're worried about not being able to keep your old job? Or maybe just ask for something in writing to confirm changes to role only apply during your pregnancy? Any employer should offer to adjust your working life during pregnancy if its having a negative affect on you. That's why you have risk assessments :)

Hi Risienana,

I'm just over 11 weeks pregnant and like you my manager has spoken to me about adjusting my roles and duties to accommodate my pregnancy. This is because like you I have health problems (epilepsy and a historymof SVT) that are very likely to be affected by my pregnancy. I am also a Community Worker, spending most of my day in my car going to visit various families. I probably spend a few hours a day at my desk but I'm otherwise out and about. When my boss did my pregnancy risk assessment it was quite daunting and I thought a little OTT in some ways but now I have come round to their way of thinking. I was off sick all last week and have called in sick today. The reality is thy although I'm probably well enough to sit at my desk all day, running to the toilet for sickness and diarrhoea as needed, there is no way I can carry out my duties of visiting people's homes in the state I'm in. I have also had some early bleeding so my employer wants me to take things easy. I have had to come off my heart medication due to the pregnancy and my epilepsy drug levels are unstable at the moment because of my pregnancy and so they don't really want me out and about everywhere, they prefer to have me somewhere they can keep a close eye on me and know tht if I need medication attention they can get it for me. My boss is absolutely wonderful, she has told me that nothing is more important than my health and my baby and thy if I need to take a whole month off sick then that's exactly what she wants me to - she is being really supportive. I think when I return to work (whenever that is) she will want to sit down with me and look at whether my role does need to be amended for the time being and to be honest I would be grateful if it was! I am willing to accept any help and support they are willing to offer me. If your health problems are only being worsened because of the pregnancy then there is no reason to think that once you've had the baby the problems will continue, therfore you should be allowed to resume normal duties. Do get this clarified though if you ever do have thtat 'discussion' and possibles get it put down in writing that your current post will always be available to you. I have to meet with my manager every 2 weeks to reassess my risk assessments and review the strategies in place etc so I know it is something being closely monitored.

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and I hope your health stays as stable as possible x x