Stress at work

[ThorsMistress]

Hi all currently 26+5

I’m a manager at my place of work. I’m finding it being there is really getting me down and really quite stressed. I’m in tears pretty much everyday and I know this isn’t good for the baby.

I’ve wondered about speaking to my doctor about getting signed off for a week but I don’t know if they would do that? I’ve been in hospital twice now with no movements the second time babies heart rate kept shooting to 185 bpm. Is stress to blame?

Hey, I am sorry you are struggling. I am in the same boat (manager, very long hours) I am not sleeping because I get so worried about work.. then I get worried about what being worried will do to the baby! No one is going to say stress is good for a baby....it isn't....but the general concencous when I have asked this question is that you would have to be under extreme prolonged stress for it to maybe be an issue....and also that doesn't even mean there will be. If it were....i figured with the high level of stress around at the moment in general there would be lots more problems with babies linked to mothers who were stressed (so pretty much everyone?!).

Your doctor would absolutely sign you off and if you think that is what you need then you should do it. Being blunt....nothing matters anymore other than that little baby of yours and your sanity....work deadlines and pressures are going to have to wait. Soon....it will be a distant memory. I know it is easier said than done (I am terrible at taking my own advice) but your work should also be supporting you if you are feeling that low because of the pressures there. Have you spoken to your manager or anything? Xx

I’m sorry you feel so rubbish. Completely agree with PP saying if you need to be signed off then that’s what you should do, it’s a valid option.

But don’t worry about stress hurting your baby. I’m 33 weeks and my dad fell ill earlier in my pregnancy, passing away when I was 25 weeks. I nursed him full time for almost 4 weeks towards the end, hundreds of miles from home, obviously not sleeping well and feeling extremely emotional. My midwife wasn’t concerned for my baby’s health at all, and she seems completely fine - rolling around in my tummy as I type

They’re tough little things. Just take your vitamins and look after yourself as much as you can. My midwife was very reassuring when I asked her about it - she reminded me that women give birth to healthy babies in war zones, prisons, refugee camps. Humans can cope with a lot, it’s what we’re designed to do.

@ReggaetonLente I’m so sorry to hear of your dads passing. My problems now pale in comparison and I feel a little silly!

Thank you so much for your words. I guess part of me just wants a break from it all too.

The general manager is a complete waste of time unfortunately, I’ve lost count of the times I’ve been sat in his office with tears rolling down my face

I'm in the same boat apart from I have sciatica too. I've talked to both GP and midwife about it and both have said they would rather I was signed off and I only have to go back if I decide it's best so I would hope you wouldn't have any issues. Like PP said, nothing is more important than you and baby.

Thank you Thor. But you are not silly! What you are feeling is just as important. I was trying to make you feel better!

I’ve been in a situation where the thought of going into work made me cry and throw up and that was bad enough not pregnant. I definitely think you should take a week and then go from there.

Hi, I was in a similar situation. I wasn't coping with any normal situations in work and had begun to avoid and cancel customer meetings and found myself being unable to complete simple tasks as everything felt so overwhelming. I hit my limit when I threw up after a phone call with a customer and went on to have 5 weeks signed off work. I spent those weeks laptop and phone off and went to the gym, indulged in lots of pregnancy books, kept a routine of up early and good sleep and lots of good healthy food. I managed to return back to work and felt so much better - I really needed that time to adjust to all the hormonal changes and pressure and stress in my work life. Whilst I wasn't necessarily hugely concerned about the babies health during this stressful period - I realised it wasn't the pregnancy I wanted to have and ultimately my work was suffering hugely so better for all involved for me to take a step back. The DR was brilliant and offered lots of help and therapy to enable me to cope better