taking time off...would you?

[Justpenny]

Hi, im 26 weeks pregnant and up until now have had no pregnancy related time off. Since finding out I was pregnant ive had three days off when I had a chest infection but thats it. Im doing my PGCE and have posted on here before about how difficult im finding everything at the moment. Ive got a DS who is 8, and a DP who works nights and so cant/wont help as much as I'd like around the house. I am just running on empty at the moment and feel like im spreading myself so thin and just giving everything the bare minimum. Last week my dad had a heart attack so I was off from my placement for the last three days of term, this whole half term week has been a blur of hospital visits, tears and sleepless nights. Im due back in school on monday and the thought of it is making me so so anxious. Im so so tired, had blood tests last week to see if im anaemic because ive been really shaky and exhausted but know its probably because im stressed and puahing myself too much. Anyway, my mum suggested going to the Dr's to see about being signed off for a week just to get myself together and rest. What would you do? Ive got six weeks or so left of school and am determined to get it all finished but after the week ive had on top of everything else im just not sure I can cope right now. What would you do?

Have you got a job for September? Will you fail your placement? I wouldn't if it would affect my pgce as many places won't let you make time up later.

Pregnancy related illness doesn't count towards sick days if you are employed but, rightly or wrongly, most schools would question why you got pregnant on your placement year and will look at the time off you took.

I havent got a job for september no....im not looking yet, was going to look in maybe february for part time maternity cover and try and complete my nqt yr over two yrs part time. I wont fail the course down to absence, will just have to make up any time missed.

hugs so sorry to hear your having a rough time right now, I hope your dad is recovering. I would have a word with you tutor/teacher about any more support you can get, even if it is working from home maybe? It may benefit you having another week out just to get things back under a certain degree of control. I'm sure you ds knows your not feeling great and wants to try and help.
Hope things turn for the better soon

I don't know how you are doing your PGCE whilst pregnant, I've never worked so hard as when I did mine! (Only teaching part-time now so I can justify that answer!)
I would say to talk to your tutor as well. I know we had to get so many days in school over the year signed off to pass so as long as you get them in hopefully you can have a rest in between? Hope you feel better soon.

Thank you, yes ive got a certain number of days I need to complete before I can officially finish, am just worn out...have been in tears for the last hr over nothing in particular. My mentor in school is amazing but my actual university tutor is not that supportive so I didnt really want to have to let her know I was struggling. Am hopin this is just a bad day.

Hi!
Hope you feel better soon. I am 35+6 and just taken a break from my PGCE. Ours doesn't finish until the end of the school year so I couldn't finish it before the baby is born. I had an amazing course director and team, but my headteacher on my main placement hated the fact I was pregnant - even though I didn't have a single day off! I think there were other issues though.

I struggled at the end as only finished last week but managed to get everything completed except my final placement which I will do in January.

Will it be possible to talk about interrupting your studies and completing your final placement next academic year like I am?

Maybe get your iron levels checked too as I started to feel terrible at 29 weeks with sickness and dizziness which was down to being anaemic.

Another girl on my course is pregnant too - I think she is about 20 weeks now but really struggled in the first trimester. It can be done though!

Good luck - and remember although you want to finish PGCE this year, the health of you and your baby is more important.

Hope your dad is ok too.
xx

Ive worked it out and will only have a week or so to make up to hit the 120 day mark...my mentor in school is amazing and said I can come back anytime to complete any missing days if I need to, so thats good! I was awake all night just crying and stressing out, have just made a drs appt for 11.20 so am going to go and see what they say. Im really struggling at the minute, I hate to admit that...but for the last few weeks ive felt like im drowning and now my dad being unwell has just tipped me over the edge :( thanks for listening...and good luck with ur baby!!! What date r u due?

Get signed off! As a PGCE Tutor I would not want you in school if you were exhausted. Speak to your mentor and be honest. Explain everything that has happened. A week is only 5 days but it could be amazing what it could do for you.

I honestly think you need to take the time off. Doing a PGCE when pregnant is hard enough (I found it hard going when not pregnant!) but with everything that has happened with your Dad too, I think you need some time to relax and look after yourself. You can make up the time later. I hope your Dad is doing ok over the coming weeks and you get done much needed rest!

Get signed off - you will be no good in class if you are feeling like this and will lose a lot of the confidence you have gained so far during the last year.

Talk to your tutors/mentors and plan how to get your days sorted - you can probably fit them in this side of the summer holidays. I know people on my course had a few extras to do due to illness throughout the course and they do tend to build in a bit of time to make sure people can catch up.