Am I being silly?

[lilmisslibrarian]

Hi all

I'm 23 weeks pregnant with PFB and work full time in a hospital. I still do nights and all my other shift patterns but I am starting to struggle with a lot of pain in my pelvis and lower abdo.

I have a chronic condition anyway but it has been exacerbated the bigger I get. Seen my midwife at the end of last week and was advised to either go to light duties at work or go off work for rest.

I don't want to go to off work and am not due back for a couple of weeks as I am on holiday but wanted to speak to my boss today and whilst he was supportive he intimated that I should be careful as I have been off a lot ( 3 days since I got pregnant!) and I still have a long way to go in my pregnancy.

I was a bit upset when I got off the phone-i don't like admitting I am weak and struggle with my other condition daily but deal with it and don't tell a lot of people about it as I am private about that sort of thing so it was a big deal for me to admit to my boss I wasn't coping with it but am I being silly? I was just following midwives advice and now I feel a bit under pressure to not be off so it doesn't become an issue.

Sorry for the rant!

sorry to hear that work aren't being supportive. Legally they cant hold any pregnancy related illnes against you as it is discrimination. You need to be able to lut ypu and baby first. Hope you manage to get things sorted x

The way it works in my Nhs trust is that pregnancy related sick is not counted towards the usual sickness 'quota'. Which is great as I have been signed off work since 27 weeks for SPD and will not be able to go back before mat leave.
There is no point killing yourself if it's too hard to work, speak to your midwife and go about the pain. Also speak to occupational health. Has your manager done a risk assessment?

Me 2!

I went to physio and she gave me a support belt. Not been in work yet but hopefully it'll make a difference.

Can you self-refer to physio?

Thanks all
I have seen physio and got a rather lovely support belt which does help but I was advised not to wear it all the time.
I have also had a risk assessment done but think it may need to be reviewed again as I feel my pain is worse.
I just hate feeling that I am making a mountain out of a molehill especially when I know I look ok but am blooming sore in reality!

Well then you can be seen as being pro-active with your condition.
Any chance of altered duties/ desk job for the time being? And you are eligible for extended/ additional breaks, these can be put in your risk assessment if you feel it may help.
Do speak to occupational health tho, they have powers