Stopping work whilst pregnant

[Fozbery]

Hi guys

This is my first post on mums net. I'm 23 weeks pregnant with first child and just looking for some support and advice really.

I've had sickness all the way through, much worse at first. Recently I started fainting, going very dizzy, white vision, dry mouth, extremely weak and shaky and hearing a loud pulse in my head and ears with heart palpitations and shortness of breath.

Its been bad three times and the worst was at work last week when I almost passed out and had to lie down. Afterwards I felt really really bad and extremely weak.

I went to the hospital and they said my blood pressure and hemoglobin is very low and I have a viral infection, also a yeast infection.

I'm a teacher in the early years, very physical, no real proper breaks or down time during the day and lots of work to take home.

I've had four different viral infections since the beginning of pregnancy, probably caught from the children. And have diarhea about once a week.

Yesterday I felt strong cramps and hardness on tummy like strong menstrual cramps, started to get really worried that I'm doing too much, are cramps normal at this stage?

During the holidays I was really slow and didn't feel great but it was much easier to stay healthy.

Now I'm back at work it all gotten too much and I've been signed off to 50%.

Im just wondering how others see my situation, am I not trying hard enough to stick it out? Am I giving in too soon by reducing my hours at just 23 weeks? It doesn't seem very common for people to struggle quite so much and I feel really guilty and pathetic.

My work seem to understand but I'm worried they think I'm just weak an giving in too soon.

Suppose I'm looking for others who have also struggled to reassure me that I'm doing the right thing by reducing my hours so soon. The feeling of guilt is really strong right now. No idea how I will make it full term!

Thanks in advance :-)

I'm 34 weeks today, struggled through up to now and got finally signed off sick on Friday. I had no option at all to reduce timetable / not do break duties etc (secondary school), only on sick for 2 weeks as mat leave starts then but would have found it so much easier if they had made a few simple changes earlier on... I've had a relatively easy pregnancy as well... With your issues, you are definitely doing the right thing and don't need to be guilty...

Thanks, just wondering how do I get notified of replies? Only saw this because I checked.

Forgot to mention, I already have bleeding hemorroides!! Trying not to worry about this getting worse !! Any tips?

I'm in the sane situation but also hating work, as I feel the team resent me for my reduced hours, reduced workload etc.... I'm 23 weeks. Going on mat at 30 weeks! The most important thing is you and your baby, work can't be your priority

Have you reduced your hours already as well?

I stopped work at about 8 weeks because of hyperemesis. I had no idea when I was going to get better and though my employer was very understanding, I told them to replace me when it got to 14 weeks (doctors etc had said the sickness would pass by then...ha) because I was planning to be a SAHM anyway and it seemed unfair to them to keep hanging around waiting for me to recover only for me to quit at 35 weeks or whenever.

Once I eventually recovered I really missed my job, but I definitely felt I did the right thing. It sounds like you are having a really tough pregnancy and you do need to put your and baby's health first.

I would see if the dr will sign you off - sounds awful, poor you. Everyone's pregnancy is different, so don't feel bad or weak. You have to take care of yourself.

Really appreciate all your words, definitely what I was needing to hear!

I wonder how long I will last at 50%!

I've been signed off for 2 weeks at the moment, I just couldn't manage being in the classroom, was completely unable to teach as I felt to ill. Having said that I completely know where you're coming from as I have such immense guilt that I should've somehow found a way to manage. I think the guilt definitely comes with the job!

I've noticed a few teachers posting tonight (myself included), it seems we've all found the first week back difficult. Do what you can realistically manage and try not to feel guilty about it (easier said than done I know!)

So are my issues normal and I'm just not dealing with it that well? Or does it sound fair that I'm reducing my hours? I just can't manage my job properly and feel like my body is telling me

Don't be so hard on yourself Foz - you need to put yourself and your baby first. I am 29 weeks pregnant and was first signed off at 10 weeks, then again at 14 weeks and again at 16 weeks - spread out throughout those 6 weeks I think I only attended work for about 8 days at separate intervals. I haven't been back since I was signed off at 16 weeks and have been signed off until the end of my pregnancy. I felt very guilty at first but now I know it's for the best - thankfully my Boss has been extremely kind and supportive which I suppose has made it easier for me. If you don't feel well enough to work then see your GP. Do not let unnecessary guilt affect your health or the baby

I'm no teacher, though my mum and grandma are so I'm well aware of the workload (not at all aware of these endless holidays ppl seem to throw in your face once you say you are a teacher) and think it could easily take it out of you when pregnant. I had a very easy pregnancy with only a few episodes of things you mention (not emotionally. You win some/you lose some) and only work 7-5ish and have no take home work but there were still days when I just wanted to stay in bed and never leave. It takes it out of you

You're clearly having a difficult time of it and it sounds like other staff can see the effect of it so know it is truth. We had a girl claim she had extremely severe morning sickness but when she did turn up to work she never went to the toilets. Just clearly did her make up to look rough. She then tried to claim she couldn't work in the circumstances and should be paid in full as we hadn't made adequate changes to help her cope (we couldn't have done more) she then was off sick for about 7/9 months, moved 50 miles away and 'shockingly' handed her notice in with just rough time to mean she didn't have to actually return. She was pregnant at the exact same time as me and if made me look really good to the bossss

Anyway, to sum up, no need to feel guilty. You've done nothing wrong. You're definitely not pathetic, just having a hard pregnancy. Every female understands xx

Writerwannabe83 do you mind me asking you what your issues were and what eventually contributed to you being signed off?

Eves mummy
I hope no one thinks of me like the girl you describe, because I can and do usually pull myself together and hate to look bad or sick Infront of people. I think I often look ok( except when I'm falling over and collapsing!)

The first 6 weeks were initially due to sickness and then I had episodes of unexplained bleeding - the worst of which was at 14 weeks when I had a downpour of fresh red blood. When I hit 18 weeks I was having dizzy episodes, very fast heart rates, breathlessness and frequent palpitations. I have a history of SVT (and was on Beta Blockers prior to pregnancy) and so they think the extra blood volume in my sister and the extra strain on my heart because of the pregnancy was triggering symptoms again. I was re-started on Beta Blockers and as they didn't want me under any exertion (i.e by working) because of the increased risk of palpitations and tachycardias causing another SVT episode I was signed off for the remainder of my pregnancy.

I also work in early years and was signed off at 28 weeks and then took mat leave at 30 weeks. My problems have mostly been back related, but constant illnesses from the children haven't helped! 34 weeks now and the back/hip problems have continued to worsen, I definitely couldn't have still done my job at this stage.

Well that sounds much more credible than my excuses, hope your ok

No there's a difference between being strong and not letting people see your weak moments and just milking for what you can. At first I thought my work were being unfair and did everything I could for her. I eventually decided they were right and I had assumed ppl weren't like her and wanted to work. Naive.

I'm 20 weeks, I've been signed off since 8 weeks because of dizziness, mental health problems and recurring bleeding - I'm speaking to my GP about returning to work, but I've requested to only go back for 21 hours.

I'm not a teacher but my job also quite physical and I'm on my feet most of the day and carrying things. The way I see it, it's not just about me - it's about taking care of baby, and if I risk that by going back to soon and starting bleeding again that'd be irresponsible. I'm going to start leave at 32 weeks, and I'm looking forward to it.

I could well be signed off for the rest of pregnancy if I don't take it easy when going back, which would be worse.

I'm 23 weeks too and I've dropped my hours down at work quite a bit. OH and I manage a pub so most of my work is on my feet and there can be manual handling as well. As soon as I found out I was pregnant I stopped all cellar work. I struggled with hyperemesis for the first 18 weeks and was signed off for 2 weeks and couldn't work in the mornings with the smell of the kitchen etc. Now, I'm working 10 - 3, Monday - Friday taking over all of the office work and being there incase they need a bit of help at lunch. I'm getting really bad swelling in one foot at the moment - being on my feet for any length of time is causing a lot of pain and discomfort.

It's important to do only as much as you feel you are capable of. Don't worry about what others think - what you think and how you feel is important. If you strain yourself or put too much pressure you could end up being more ill.

The cramps you're describing sound like Braxton Hicks contractions, which is perfectly normal at our stage - I wouldn't be too concerned about them.