Getting signed off for SPD

[NurseMama]

Hi, all. So I'm 21 weeks pregnant with baby #2 and have been having wicked PGP from SPD for a few weeks now. After speaking with my midwife, she recommended I see my GP, who has signed me off work for a week to allow for my manager to do my 2nd trimester risk assessment - which should have been done ages go - before I work another shift. I'm an ICU nurse, which is very labour intensive and I'm on my feet all day, bending and twisting and lifting.

Anyway, when I contacted my manger today to tell her that I've been signed off for a week she gave me loads of attitude and made me feel like a nuisance. She said plenty of pregnant nurses on the unit have SPD and manage just fine. I don't know why I need to be compared to other people!

Unfortunately she's been like this from the moment I told her I was pregnant. When we did my first risk assessment and were going through certain tasks/aspects of work that could be risky, she diminished everything. For example, when the subject of lifting heavy objects and machinery came up (like dialysis bags, moving beds, hoisting patients) and I told her I think it's best if I avoid that while pregnant, she was like, 'No, it's fine. I'll mark that as safe,' and totally ignored me.

Sorry for the rant. I feel unsupported at work, and now that I'm getting support from my doc and midwife, work is pushing back hard.

Your manager sounds awful. I would consider talking to HR or occupational health about this. I'm assuming you are NHS employed and will have clear policies about what is expected in pregnancy. SPD can vary massively. I had it in my last pregnancy and managed to continue working shifts as a nurse on a ward, a colleague at the same time had it and had to be signed off at 20 weeks and use crutches. Enjoy your rest and look after yourself, don't worry about your nasty manager.

Thanks for your response. My manger was absolutely amazing up until I became pregnant. She's been cold and obstructive ever since and I'm not sure why. Earlier in the pregnancy I requested to be taken off of nights because I wasn't coping. Our trust policy states that pregnant staff cannot be made to work nights. However, my manager gave me so much trouble that I had to get the union involved before the matrons would agree to take me off nights!

My main fear at this point is that the breakdown in my relationship with her could potentially compromise a reference for another job in the future. Is this a silly fear?

Does she have her own children or are they grown ups? I wouldn't think it would impact on her reference for you if your relationship had previously been good. You could always put down a deputy manager/matron as your referee if needed.

She doesn't have kids. She's a nurse who plowed through her career and has now reached middle age, remains single, totally dedicated to work. I'm not necessarily criticising that as a life choice; it's perfectly valid. I do think that it impacts her ability to really empathise though. Nurses who prioritise anything over work (especially family) even for short bursts of time seem to get treated unfavourably.