First trimester sick note

[Sarahxxx91]

I’m about 9 weeks pregnant at the moment and I’m really struggling with coping with my job at the moment due to the way I’ve been feeling. I’m feeling really run down, headaches, nausea, drained and emotional. I work in a call centre which is challenging enough due to call que volumes, daily targets to hit and difficult customers. I’m finding it really hard keeping myself together I.e being shouted at by a customer. I’ve worked for this company for over 5 Years and normally wouldn’t worry about stuff like this but I’m finding it really hard to cope due to how I’ve been feeling. I had to leave work today as I had one of them calls where the customer just kept swearing and shouting at me and it just pushed me over the edge and reduced me to tears. My manager is aware of how I’ve been feeling and how I’m finding it hard to cope but the only advice I have been given is to go see my doc and see if I can get a sick note. I’ve also been asked what my plans are if this continues to happen. Didn’t really think it was apppropriate to be asked that when I’m not in that situation and I’m dealing with everything right now as best I can. I’ve told my manager that I hope this does pass and that most people I’ve spoke to have said once you enter your second trimester things normally settle down. I’m worried about speaking to my doctor as I’m sure this is probably normal and that nothing can actually be done. Same time it’s so difficult being at work feeling upset and down because of how unwell I’ve been feeling. None of my colleagues know about my pregnancy yet as I’ve been waiting until I’m 12 weeks so it’s just a few managers that know about my pregnancy due to work purposes. Anyone would may be able to advise me on this situation I’d be really greatful as it’s making me feel really anxious. Thanks

Sounds like you definitly need some time off. Your doctor should be very understanding of that and your work should be also. They cannot discriminate against you because you are pregnant and of the sick note states it is pregnancy related then the sick days also cannot be held against you. I don't think you need to plan yet for how to manage this as an on going situation....I am in the third tri now and have never felt as bad the whole time as I did in the first tri. Get signed off....get some rest...then go back feeling much more yourself and see how you get on. Try not to worry...you and your little one are all that's important now xx

Hi, thanks for getting back to me. It’s good to know you’re feeling better now compared to what you did at the start. A lot of people do say it’s always worse to start with. I think cos it’s my first pregnancy it’s probably more stressful as everything’s new to me etc. Hopefully the doctor will help and I’ll be feeling more myself again soon. Thanks Hun xx

Been there and you have my sympathy!

In the first trimester I had nausea and exhaustion to the point where I could barely stand. The effort of supporting my own weight was just too much. I went to the GP and ended up being off for 5 weeks (I also had an issue with my lymph nodes and had to have a scan on them which didn’t help matters). I was in such a panic about missing work at the time. But now I know that I have to put myself and my baby first. It’s a big learning curve when you’re so used to having different priorities.

As you’ve told work that your pregnant, you are protected in that they can’t use any pregnancy related sick leave as a reason for discipline. They also can’t mention it to your colleagues so you can choose to tell them whatever you want when you return. Your manager’s question was very stupid really. You have no idea how your pregnancy will progress, every one is different.

I improved greatly when the second trimester hit. Loads more energy, no nausea and I really started to enjoy pregnancy. I’m in the third trimester now and other than a bit of tiredness and the aches and pains I’m feeling pretty good. Fingers crossed you feel better really soon x

The first trimester is very tough. I'm 38 weeks now and finding it a million times easier than the first trimester.

Take some time off, the Dr will give you a sick note, you're making a human and that is flipping hard work. Be kind to yourself :-) it gets easier :-)

I work in a call centre and I went through exactly the same, I was sick all the time, stressed, emotional and needed some time off to digest the news and to deal with the sickness without worrying about work. Seriously put you and baby first, your employer should understand. Nothing worse than having someone scream down the phone when your feeling sick, your probably doing your work a favour by not being in until your right xxx

I feel for you! I’m a primary school teacher and was so relieved when it was the end of term last week! It’s really difficult at times and made worse by the heat!

As others have said, put yourself and your baby first! Call centres are notorious for not giving a shit about their employees!

Hi, thanks for sharing your experience also. It’s good to know that things didn’t do settle down. That’s how I’ve been feeling recently energy wise when I’ve been walking I just feel like I need to lie down after a few steps sounds so silly but little things just exhaust me lately. Thanks for your helpful info and good luck with the rest of your pregnancy also xx

Hi Aw12345. Thanks for posting. I know you’re right i need to stop being so hard on myself I guess I’m just stressing about work too much which is making me feel worse. I’ll feel better once I’ve spoke to the doctor. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy xx

Hi Alanares89. I think I feel worse about work for the fact that my current manager isn’t actually an official manager also as she’s a step in one. And she admitted today she needs to read the maternity policy so she knows what’s what so she knows how to deal with me basically. She said today that she needs to check how sickness works when pregnant to makes sure I don’t trigger any sickness stages or have my pay affected which worried me but surely that can’t be right. Just feel unsettled and unsupported not nice feeling being made to feel like I’ve just got to deal with being pregnant as there maybe consequences. Thanks for your help though I appreciate it xxx

Hi PurpleFlower1983. I bet you’re pleased to have some time off now! Yeah I’m definitely going to try stop panicking so much about work as it’s only going to make me feel worse. Hopefully my doc will understand. Thanks again and good luck with your pregnancy xx