I've been signed off work

[Tea1Sugar]

And I feel so guilty. Initially I've been signed off a week but need to be reviewed on Monday. I've never been signed off work in my life, had 1 day absence in my pregnancy so far. I'm 25 weeks. I was shaking on the phone to my boss even though she was totally understanding. My guilt lies in the fact that I don't have a desk job, I'm a teacher so it's 30 small people I'm letting down. Anyone else racked with guilt at being off work?

snap i feel awful about it but physically could not do the work i am a dental nurse, my boss wasnt so understanding im 31 weeks today! hope your feeling better soon xxx

Hope you feel better xx

Don't be so hard on yourself Tea - you aren't letting anyone down. I don't understand why women feel guilty about taking leave during pregnancy as the only thing that matters is the baby. Healthy babies can only grow in healthy mummies as my midwife said, lol - or some other cheesy words to that effect If you aren't fit to work then you aren't fit to work. If you went against such medical advice you'd be putting yourself at risk and letting yourself and your baby down - you are both more important than a room full of healthy happy children I don't feel any guilt about being off work, my health and my baby is more important to me than anything else x Take care of yourself and stop feeling guilty

I know how you feel.. I was signed off last week for morning sickness. I was mortified because as far as I'm concerned, everyone copes with working with morning sickness and I'm just being pathetic.. But in reality, I haven't eaten much in the last week, my blood pressure is low and I throw up every time I'm in a moving vehicle. I'm a paramedic. I can't opt out of the moving vehicles

you need to put yourself first and look after yourself. work will understand as I am sure will your students. hope you feel better soon.. x

I've been off work for 10 weeks now - initially I felt guilty but to be honest I still feel rotten and had a few weeks of being terribly worried about baby (had my 20 week scan yesterday so know it's doing fine) so I don't really care anymore. I'd rather be off than do myself or baby any damage, I'm not good at letting things go and it does add stress but I have to be selfish as it's not just about me.

I'm a teacher too and am constantly filled with teacher-guilt. Try to remember that those 30 little people will carry on being taught, but the little person in your tummy only has one mum. At the moment you and your baby are the most important people.

People with "desk jobs" are still letting people down if they're signed off sick, and sometimes it's many more than 30 people!

If you're too sick to work, you're too sick to work. I doubt those 30 little people will look back on this time and think "the reason I failed x exam is because of those few weeks that Mrs Y was off sick". Your dedication is admirable but those children will survive and you're not going to be much use to them if your exhausted and stressed.

I also teach and was signed off last year (non pregnancy related) so understand how hard it is but the reality is you will be a better teacher when you get back because you will be feeling better. As an assistant head I have had to sort cover for people off long term sick and honestly- people who try and do the odd day are sick for longer and it's much more disruptive for your class than having the same supply for a week or so. Plus your pregnant so baby has to come first. X

Ps. Just think how excited your class will be to have you back because they will have missed you!

You and baby come first, and that is all you need to worry about. Don't feel bad

I was told at 24 weeks that I couldn't return to work. I told the midwife that was ridiculous. After negotiation I was told to take 2 weeks off, then go back to work. I was back for 2.5 hours before having to return to the hospital.

Eventually I was allowed to work reduced hours from home, and during repeated admissions, from the hospital

If you are sick, you are sick.