Crutches at only 13 weeks 😭😭😭

[Nichola2310]

Warning this may be a rant as much as a query!! Have suffered with sciatica from 4.5 weeks, have a history of it, but this is worse than anything I’ve had before. The pain is horrendous from the moment I get out of bed until I’m back in bed at night. Work have known I’ve been struggling but it’s not exactly a caring environment. I told my boss and colleagues on Monday/Tuesday (@ 13 weeks) that I was pregnant and told them it’s my intention to work as long as possible but that I’m really struggling already. (One asked did I mean sickness, I can hardly walk, so they’re not exactly observant!)

On Wednesday I got a last minute cancellation appointment for my physio referral which was very lucky. Now today, Thursday I’m heading into work on crutches, with strict instructions to request that I do 3 days a week at home. Hence I’ve been awake half the night. I’ve only been working in the company 6mths, there’s only 4 of us in my specific team, I feel awful.

Prior to being pregnant I was a very active person, and outside of work I’m now not fit to do anything. I’m at my wits end given how long I have left to go.

Has anyone else been this badly affected from so early on? How did you manage work/commute? My only saving grace is this is my first, so when I’m not working I can lie on the sofa, a lot!

I suffered from hypermesis (extreme sickness) from even earlier on in both my pregnancies. Totally debilitating. I would suggest talking to your boss to explain you can either work from home 3 days or unfortunately you will end up signed off? (Presuming you get sick pay?) I hope you can find a way to manage the pain. Ultimately I was signed off for a large amount of my 2nd pregnancy and felt awful because I was letting people down. However I was constantly reminded by my team this (9 months) is a very short period in relation to working life and there are plenty of years post maternity leave that I can put work first again. When ill and pregnant you and baby come first

Unfortunately I think I only have a week of sick pay entitlement from my employer. Therefore I really really need them to let me work from home. I was already preparing for the financial impact of maternity leave, but never expected that I might not be able to earn in the 6mths before it.

I was on crutches at about 13 weeks, I managed to get off them, but needed them again from 27 wks. But my problems are more SI joint.
I found religiously doing my physio, alongside wearing a support belt and physio and osteopath plus trying not to walk unless absolutely necessary kept me off them. Unfortunately once my bump got bigger I've had to give in.
What do you do? Are you desk based? What's your commute like?
it sucks

I’m lucky as my commute is a 30 min drive, but driving is extremely painful. I’m desk based which I suppose is also a blessing, but given that sitting, standing and walking is excruciating I can’t win. I will be getting a support belt and have always done physio led pilates, both before and during the pregnancy. I’m meeting occupational health in 4 hrs and praying for a good outcome.

I suffered severe sciatica and have lasting foot drops from my pregnancies. I was on crutches from 24 weeks and ended up on oromorph and tramadol. I over did it during both pregnancies which was so stupid of me. I was signed off work by 30 weeks with both. Things got better around 34 weeks once the babies moved lower. All I can suggest is don't overdo it, but, for me, nothing helped, only giving birth. I completely understand the pain, please pm me of you want some support! I really hope it starts to ease for you soon and occy health are helpful.