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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Changing job hours

8 replies

lj123 · 23/01/2014 07:29

I am currently 9 weeks 6 days pregnant, I work variable shifts throughout the week, either 6.50-5, 8.00-6 or 9.00-7.
I am really struggling, I'm trying to work out if ill be better off going part time for my own sanity obviously I won't do this until 12weeks scan.
I don't know how this will effect maternity pay has anyone done this before?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
greentshirt · 23/01/2014 08:06

Yes it will affect maternity pay which is calculated on what you earn between 17 and 25 weeks I think

Jollyb · 23/01/2014 08:13

Don't make any hurried decisions you'll probably feel much brighter in a few weeks

AnythingNotEverything · 23/01/2014 08:15

Wait and see - this is the worst bit for fatigue. I was dog tired until 12 weeks.

Hanging house can affect your maternity pay so be careful.

I used a lot of annual leave to break up my working week when I was pregnant, particularly during the third trimester.

Check your policies at work too - I know I was entitled to additional breaks and occasionally had to go and have a 10 minute lie down in the middle of the afternoon!

Congratulations.

KippyVonKipperson · 23/01/2014 08:42

Wait and see, you may feel a lot better by 14 weeks. Also employers can make reasonable adjustments too, why not ask if you can be put on the same shift every day to make it more manageable for you?

KiwiBanana · 23/01/2014 09:19

When I worked shifts I asked my employers to put me on some more reasonable hours. Managed to wangle 8.30 till 5.30 every day, most weekends off!

It's worth asking, the worst they can do is say no.

lj123 · 23/01/2014 19:19

Ok so stick it out an see lol, well I would but I have already asked and I still havnt got anywhere, this week I have worked 9-7, 6.50-5, 6.50-5, 8-6 and tomorrow 9-7 I have been in bed asleep but at least 9-9.30 I am whey back logged on washing and housework but weekends I just find I'm sleeping and lazing about a lot recovering from my shocking week lol.
Roll on bed time Wink

OP posts:
jaykay987 · 24/01/2014 06:09

What you've described sounds pretty normal to me. Weeks 7-11 I pretty much:

  • got up at 5am (dragging myself out of bed was one of the hardest parts of the day!)
  • dressed to disguise a growing belly
  • 2hr drive into work
  • start work 8am
  • Used every ounce of my strength to a) stay awake b) not throw up c) do enough work to not raise suspicion.
  • left work 6pm
  • 90min drive home
  • walked in the front door and crawled straight into bed.

Repeat.

At weekends I cancelled most plans and spent my time trying to decide what to eat, making it and then throwing it away as Id gone off the idea (!) and sleeping.

I felt like death warmed up! How no one at work noticed, I've no idea, but people aren't as observant you might think.

I'm still waiting for my 2nd trimester glow and energy surge (!) but thinking back, although I still feel constantly tired at the moment, I am back to working my normal ( longer) hours and do achieve something at the weekends (though not as much as I used to!). So perhaps my energy has surged to almost pre pregnancy levels.

Your body just needs you to take it easy for a few weeks.

I did call in sick with tiredness once during that horrible period too. Not something Id normally condone, but I was all the better for another day in bed!

Stick with it. You're bound to start feeling better in a few weeks. I wouldn't make any permanent decisions about cutting hours and dropping pay (and affecting mat pay) until at least week 16/17 when you see how you'll be feeling through 2nd trimester.

I was surprised as although I knew sickness might be expected in first 12weeks I never knew the "knocked over by a bus feeling" is also normal for the early stages.

Hope you feel better soon.

jaykay987 · 24/01/2014 06:10

Sorry for the essay.

Don't worry about washing, cleaning, tidying etc. lowest priority right now!

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