managing guilt for being off sick

[elpreggo27]

I've been off work for nearly two months on sick leave due to sickness in pregnancy as well as severe headaches and fatigue; I am feeling guilty for being off this long and worrying about getting in trouble even though I know pregnancy is protected...but whenever my manager wants to catch up I'm worried it will be bad news. How do you manage this guilt? Before I would push myself to get back as soon as I can, but I'm just in the waiting stage to feel better as no drugs are working so it's all out of control/unknown. I'm trying to focus on the wellbeing of my baby but it's not always effective...!

I completely understand. I've just been signed off for 4 weeks and I highly suspect I'll need more time after this as the sickness lasted until week 17 last time. I've heard loads of stories about people being off for their entire pregnancies with sickness; it can't be helped. I know the saying 'you're not sick you're pregnant' but I'm never as sick in my life as when I'm pregnant so I think it's rubbish; the two aren't mutually exclusive. Just focus on looking after yourself and your baby; its amazing how many times you need to call in sick after they're (if they are ill etc) so this is a good chance to get used to it! Hope you feel better soon x

that's exactly it! I was saying to my counsellor earlier this week that I have never felt this unwell in my life xx