Questions for the midwife

[SomeDizzyWhore1804]

Hi all

I have moaned about my malaise on the boards a few times lately so excuse me banging on about it

I'm 9+5 and finally seeing the midwife tomorrow to book in.

I have been feeling like shit since I was about 5 weeks. I had a UTI and since the have had a lot f vomiting and incessant nausea as well as a couple of nose bleeds and incredible fatigue. I also keep having dizzy spells and blotchy vision.

Doctor signed me off two weeks ago for a fortnight. Sick note runs out tomorrow. I've seen my GP once since then who sent me for a thyroid check. Feel no better. Haven't left bed in over two weeks more or less.

So my questions are: can the midwife sign me back off? Is she likely to? What are my rights work wise? This is my 11th day off and I'm starting to feel like I've worn out my good will (secondary school, 2nd of core department) and I should go back ASAP. But I feel foul. And could my symptoms indicate something more sinister? I ended up down casualty last week for a Cyclizine injection and a drip. I was also prescribed oral Cyclizine.

I think you can only get signed off by the doctor, but i could be wrong. It isn't a matter of good will. If you aren't fit to teach then you should be at home. Nobody is indispensible and the school will just have to cope without you if you are not up to it yet. Hopefully your midwife will refer you back to your doctor asap.

Work wise, if you have a sick note then there is nothing they can do. They should keep in reasonable touch to see how you are (i would say two phone calls a week is reasonable) and other than that they should leave you in peace. Ensure that any sick note you get clearly states that the absence is due to your pregnancy. This means it cant be used as a disciplinary matter against you. If you haven't told the head you are pregnant you will need to do so now, even if you have to say you want it kept confidential for a few weeks.

I got signed off sick at 10 weeks and haven't been back since - and I'm now 23 weeks!! My current sick note runs out in 2 weeks but I saw my midwife today who said she doesn't want me going back at all. Only a
Doctor can provide sick notes though.

As has been said, there is absolutely nothing employers can do if somebody is signed off sick. I'm not sure how it works in your specific employment but within mine a person is entitled to 6 months off on full pay and then this reduces to half pay. I'm not saying you are going to be off that long obviously, but it might be worth just looking into it.

Within my employment the only thing my employer can do is say that if I am still off when I reach 36 weeks I have to then start my Maternity Pay as opposed to still being on Sick Pay. But that's fair enough, I imagine most women start their maternity leave at that point.

In my early days weeks 8-11 were the worst, I was just exhausted and throwing up all the time. I was a mess - I am sorry you are also having a really crappy time. The fog will lift x

Thanks all. I ended up going to my GP this evening as I fainted getting out of the bath. He has signed me back off for another 10 days but the note says "nausea" so I will have to take that in and get it amended. I might take it with me to the midwife tomorrow as it's in my surgery so I may be able to get it amended then and there.

Thanks for the reassurance about work. I just hate phoning in sick and I'm still having to set daily cover which is doing my head in!

If you are sick, you are sick. There's nothing you can do about it.

It might be worth talking to your HOD when you phone in this time though. You shouldn't be the one setting daily cover when you are off. Also, I presume 10 days means 10 working days? In that case surely they are better trying to find a supply who can commit to that period and give the kids a bit of consistency too? I know my mum has done supply in the past for someone who ended up being off until about 16 weeks (not that I'm suggesting you'll suffer this much all that time, but to point out that a longer term plan might be a good idea).

You should only be setting daily cover for a short absence. After a few days it is impossible to set anything meaningful as you have no idea where the class is up to. Head of dept should be instructing supply on what to do by this stage. Obviously you are in a position of responsibility and want to do what you can, but right now you need to put yourself and your baby first.

Pregnancy sickness support