Morning Sickness

[AussieMum28]

Hi all,

So found out I was pregnant 9 days ago. No idea how far along I am yet due to extremely irregular periods (could be anywhere from 4-8 weeks). I'm suffering from quite bad morning sickness (the name is the worst joke in the world!!) I'm a teacher so luckily I've been on half term this week but need to go back to work on Monday and I'm dreading it! I'm throwing up at least twice a morning, then I'm sore and exhausted from all the retching. I'm trying to eat when I can lots of carbs (because anything that is remotely 'wet' makes me feel ill). I try to eat small amounts as often as possible but I teach from 8:45 - 11 without a break and don't think I can last that long. Can anyone offer any advice?? Thanks so much x

No advice from me really, but commenting in solidarity.

Praying I don't have the sickness for the whole term.

I'm in the same boat. I have been sick for weeks day in day out. I only found out I'm pregnant yesterday and I'm still in shock but properly struggling with this.

It's my 3rd pregnancy and I don't remember it being as bad as this.

Hi! Congratulations! Your sickness does sound bad! I'm a secondary teacher and was very nauseous at the start (the vomiting didn't start till 12 weeks) and had to eat to keep it at bay. I would set my classes an independent task and stand at the back of the classroom nibbling ginger nuts. I often teach year 10 in the morning and I would sometimes tell them I forgot to have breakfast and brazenly have a snack whilst they cracked on with the starter. Alternatively, if these options wouldn't work for you, you could consider informing your head teacher and HoD sooner rather than later, so they can make arrangements. Also don't be afraid to insist on medication - I let myself be fobbed off with the "it's a normal part of pregnancy and no meds have been licenced for use in pregnancy line" at 15 weeks, but had a much more receptive GP when I got to 22 weeks and still felt rough. There is safe medication out there, and it's hard to imagine (or remember) how tough it is to feel/ be sick every waking moment! Good luck!

BTW, I've found that the school holidays are for flopping on the sofa now, even more so than usual! Don't feel bad about it, just focus on how lucky we are to get regular holidays and ignore how bloody hard we work in term time

Thanks for all the tips! I'm primary and have such a difficult class I doubt I'll be able to leave them! Was hoping to not have to tell my head as I'm leaving in July anyway but guess I'll need to! If the sickness if really bad (like today for example) would I be allowed to take time off? Anyone had experience with this?

If really bad get signed off. I had to do this , I teach secondary drama, s there was no way I was getting through a morning let alone a whole day. Meant work knew sooner then I'd have liked but also nothing they could do about it as pregnancy related illness.

Honestly if you need time off take it. Morning sickness is grim and in this heat it'll be hard to stay hydrated.

Oh meant to say I was signed off for two weeks made a big difference.

Try and eat before you even get out of bed. I lived off ritz crackers, plain toast & plain baked potato for weeks!

Also look up sea bands on amazon. They’re acupressure bands that help with morning suckers nausea I loved them. X

Morning sickness!!!!

Of course you're allowed time off if you're ill! I didn't have to take time off for sickness, but almost fainted before work one morning very early on and called in sick then. They have to log pregnancy related illnesses separately and it can't be used for disciplinary procedures I think. Obviously, they can only do this if they know you're pregnant. If it's really affecting your ability to do your work then I would really tell them, I'm pretty sure they have an obligation to make arrangements for you. Also, wrt leaving in July, do you know if/ how this will affect your maternity pay? I think in some cases you're still entitled to SMP even if you're not employed. Might be worth checking up on!

You have my sympathies, morning sickness is just awful. Think about going to gp to get medication... It's just so hard to function with 24/7 nausea. Also sleep as much as possible, helps so much. I always found a few nuts before bed helped with the nausea/vomiting overnight. Good luck :-)

NCpuffin - I don't think I'm entitled because we are moving county! But will call my union and double check anyway! I will be telling my head next week. I don't want it public knowledge so let's hope nothing is said to other members of SLT. I'm also not going to go on the residential trip I had planned for the beginning of July! Fingers crossed I begin to feel better soon. Thanks for all your advice everyone!

Hi Aussie don't think you need to be on death's door to take meds. I suffered all the way to 9 months with my first pregnancy - constant nausea and daily vomiting, but not enough to properly endanger my health if that makes sense.

This time round I went to my GP and got a script for ondansetron (anti nausea meds) which has been a life saver, especially in the first 14-16 weeks. I had to travel a bit for work around the 10/11 week mark and I don't think I would have managed it without the meds. I'm now 36 weeks and still sick if I forget to take the drugs Definitely worth investigating, particularly as you are a teacher and can't hide behind your computer/ work from home in your PJs as I could!!