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Original poster

How bad do things need to get?

60 replies

Bubble04 · 25/02/2018 18:34

I know this sounds like whinging, but how bad do things need to be to go off sick during pregnancy? I'm only 26 weeks, so still 13 weeks till my leaving date. I work as a year 2 teacher, so on the lead up to sats, and don't want to let the kids down...
BUT
I've got hip pain, which is now spreading and is now right across the front of my pelvis too. Shooting pains down legs. Having to use crutches to get around. Can't sit down for more than 10 mins as my muscles seize up causing pain. I'm having to stay upright all day. I have 2 hours marking every night, but can only sit to mark for 10mins at a time so I'm falling behind as I have to do it in spurts. I've been working till past 11 every night this week. SLT have 'supported' by doing random book checks to make sure I'm up to standard with marking which is so stressful. They don't want me teaching PE so want me to teach 2 topic lessons in a row while another teacher does my pe. Great until you realise I now have to do marking for 2 classes as a result... I've spent every evening in tears from pain and exhaustion. I can't sleep because of pain and stress. How bad does my hip pain have to be before I say enough is enough? Since getting back after half term it's been getting worse so quickly. I know I'm pushing myself to breaking point but need to know at what point I stop soldiering on and accept defeat...
I just want to sleep

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zaalitje · 25/02/2018 18:37

You can opt to go on maternity 8frim week 29 legally.

Original poster
Bubble04 · 25/02/2018 18:39

But would I need to use my maternity if my reason for leaving early was medical? Physio has said she will write a letter to GP saying I need to be signed off work, but I've stalled it so far...

OP posts:
FranticallyPeaceful · 25/02/2018 18:40

If your problem is from both sitting down and standing up then there’s not much you can do at home either. Have you been prescribed codeine? If not then that’s what you need to be looking at. With paracetamol ideally.
I’d honestly go off sick, you’re obviously not coping. I work from home and only have to go to London occasionally to upload some things and even that’s becoming bloody hard work.
There’s no point in pushing yourself to the point of exhaustion when you’ll be having a newborn soon and be at another point of exhaustion

nailsathome · 25/02/2018 18:42

Go now. I'm a secondary teacher and also suffer with spd. You need to be as rested as possible so that you can look after your newborn and pushing through at work isn't going to help. Be kind to yourself. Some people have easier pregnancies than others, it is not a weakness (trying to currently convince myself of that!)

Original poster
Bubble04 · 25/02/2018 18:43

The physio is reluctant to give me codeine as it will mask the pain, and she's worried about me pushing myself thinking I'm fine and doing more damage. Plus I need to drive to work and I can't do that on codeine...

OP posts:
Original poster
Bubble04 · 25/02/2018 18:45

@nailsathome it's so hard isn't it! I've had 2 easy pregnancies, but this one has been so different! It doesn't help that the deputy head has had 2 straight forward pregnancies and worked till 39 weeks. She thinks everyone should be able to do the same...

OP posts:
zaalitje · 25/02/2018 18:45

If you're off sick for more than a day or two at a certain point (34?? Weeks) they can start your mat leave automatically.
It would be worth checking the dates/ durations for that though

Original poster
Bubble04 · 25/02/2018 18:46

@zaalitje I thought the rules had changed so that they couldn't force you to take maternity leave till 36 weeks?

OP posts:
scaredofthecity · 25/02/2018 18:47

I'd go and get signed off, it will mean starting mat leave at 36 wks but what your doing is unsustainable.
I'm in a similar position, once I needed crutches there was no way I was going into work. Now I'm off I'm a lot less stressed and sleeping so much better.
It's such a short period of your working life, I wouldn't feel bad about it.

MagicFajita · 25/02/2018 18:48

Get signed off now op , if you're anything like the teachers I know you'll run yourself into the ground for your class and the SLT's demands.

What you're experiencing won't improve until you rest so please put yourself and your baby first.

Good luck.

FranticallyPeaceful · 25/02/2018 18:50

The codeine would be for the evening once you’ve already settled. Codeine isn’t dangerous so she has no reason to be reluctant. Take it after work, sink into a bath. It will help tremendously

zaalitje · 25/02/2018 18:51

Bubble knew it was mid 30s but not exactly when, it may well be 36 weeks, 34 was my guess.

nailsathome · 25/02/2018 18:53

I know bubble but just remember that once you've been gone for a couple of weeks they won't even notice anymore. It's just not worth it - do they treat you that well that you are willing to risk your health?

nailsathome · 25/02/2018 18:54

And codeine does need to be used with caution.

seven201 · 25/02/2018 18:56

I'm a teacher and was signed off from about 33 weeks I think. At 36 weeks my maternity leave automatically kicked in (a week earlier than my planned leave date). I struggled on but really should have been signed off earlier. I didn't have hip problems but I had lots of others. Get signed off! You and your child are more important than sodding marking!

FranticallyPeaceful · 25/02/2018 18:58

@nailsathome codeine is routinely prescribed in pregnancy for women in pain. LOTS of women take it with no adverse affects.
If she takes it in the evening for some relief it will cause absolutely zero issues and she won’t be masking anything, just receiving some much needed relief.

Nichola2310 · 25/02/2018 18:59

I’m having the same debate as I’m in a huge amount of pain every day, and made worse by the fact I’ve had it since only 4 weeks (I’m now 12 weeks). What I would say is codeine doesn’t mask the pain so I wouldn’t be too worried about over doing it, it takes the edge of a bit. Also I drive to work so I take a painkiller once I get there.

Girlwiththearabstrap · 25/02/2018 19:01

If you are unable to do day to day things at work then it's perfectly reasonable to take sick leave and then mat leave will kick in at 36 weeks. What you're doing now doesn't sound sustainable - being on crutches and teaching year 2 does not sound like a good combination.

As a fellow teacher it makes me sad to hear that your management aren't being that supportive. The range of support given varies so much. 😟

Loosemoose28 · 25/02/2018 19:06

Have you seen a chirpractor? NHS won’t pay for it but it was best money I have spent on me. I had my whole pelvis worked on (Sacrum was stuck basically).

It has taken away my sciatica. My front still hurts and I can’t walk far but I am not relying on codeine now. I went off at 31 weeks because my hips were bad and work was making it so much worse, I could just get in the car after a shift. I work in a hospital on the wards.

fairgame84 · 25/02/2018 19:11

Go now. The pressure is only going to get worse in the run up to sats and no job is worth your physical and mental health. If you go now and get a long sick note then they can get a long term supply in. It's better to go now than to leave nearer to sats.
Look after yourself Flowers

Original poster
Bubble04 · 25/02/2018 19:13

@Loosemoose28 no, not tried a chiropractor yet, but having to go for private physio already as nhs couldn't give me appointments outside of school time... the joys of teaching!

OP posts:
Original poster
Bubble04 · 25/02/2018 19:15

@nailsathome you're so right. They've put in so much extra pressure since I've been pregnant they clearly don't care about me and my baby, just the school. Too many appalling things to mention on here... been in contact with the union already x

OP posts:
nailsathome · 25/02/2018 19:31

Frantically I'm fully aware of that but being a pharmacologist I know there are some risks associated with it so to say there aren't is simply untrue. I myself take it but have to do so with caution, particularly in the third trimester.** But that's neither here nor there.

Bubbles that's what I mean. We bust a gut for them but when you look at it, what do you get in return. Look after yourself. My MIL keeps saying to me in 5 years time will you look back and remember this time because you were signed off work early? Of course not. It's so hard dealing with the pain, the stresses of teaching do not help one bit.

nailsathome · 25/02/2018 19:37

Oops didn't mean for the extra bold bit

weekfour · 25/02/2018 19:41

I was signed off and on not just codeine, but also tramadol, from 20 weeks. Why struggle? Surely it would be better for the kids to settle with a new teacher sooner rather than later?

Also, in case you’re worried; I have three kids. Horrific SPD with the first but none with number 2 or 3. I ended up having a planned section with DC1 and the pain had gone as soon as the anaesthetic wore off.

Flowers It’s shit. It hurts and it’s isolating. Look after yourself.

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