Feeling guilty about going to get signed off....

[user1468348545]

So currently 30 weeks pg and have had a pretty tough pregnancy all through. I've recently had confirmed diagnosis of spd as well as previous health conditions making me prone to black outs. I've had to have a couple of days off of work ill during the pg but have always tried to make antenatal appts outside of work hours just to try and create the least impact I can.
I work in a high risk job (won't say as could be outing.) But being quick and mobile is incredibly important for mine and baby's safety!! I'm really struggling now and not due to go on maternity for a few weeks (after Christmas.)

My doctor and midwife have been encouraging me to get signed off for a few weeks now and I have to admit I'm starting to waver, but can't help but feel a little guilty at the prospect of being off sick for a few weeks (4 is what they suggested previously!) And then going almost straight into maternity.
I did confide in a couple of close work friends and they think I should get signed off and maximise on my pay (entitled to 4 weeks full pay) so I get maximum time on maternity.

Would you be annoyed and think someone was a cf for doing this?

No! Get signed off, you're pregnant and not an easy pregnancy either. Think of yourself and baby, if a midwife and DR are advising it do it, xx

Many of the people you work with will either have been/ will be pregnant one day, or will have a partner who has been/will be. There is no reason to feel guilt, there is a reason maternity entitlements are so well legalized - we all benefit at some point. Everyone has been the child of a working parent/parents. Take what time you need.

The fact your GP and midwife are suggesting you get signed off speaks volumes. They wouldn’t encourage that unless they thought it necessary. Don’t feel guilty about it, put yourselves first.

The fact that you feel guilty shows you care about your job, and I’m sure your employers know that.

Thank you all for your replies.
I've always been a bit of a commitment nut when it comes to work and I love my job. My boss has been amazing through my pregnancy as have the other staff; so i thinj they would understand. There's just been so much happening there I hate to leave them in the lurch.
This will be dc2 and it's so so different to my first pregnancy where I worked until 2 weeks before my due date so I guess it's partially it's been such a different pregnancy too.

Don't you automatically start maternity leave if you are off in late pregnancy? Can't remember the exact weeks etc but worth checking if you would lose out financially at the other end of mat leave.

Already checked and they can't trigger it until 4 weeks before my due date :)

Get signed off - this is your health and your baby’s health.

That is priceless, you only realise that when something goes wrong if you stay on.

I think if you are signed off work for a pregnancy related reason in the last 4 weeks of pregnancy, your mat leave can be started automatically by your employer: www.maternityaction.org.uk/advice-2/mums-dads-scenarios/pregnant/sickness-during-pregnancy-and-maternity-leave/.

So if you're back by then, should be ok, but if not then you may start your leave sooner than planned.

Don’t feel guilty! You and baby come first.

That said, I work in HR and would be a bit about someone being off sick, then coming back just to avoid triggering they’d Mat leave. Presumably if you’re not well enough now, you won’t be now until baby is born.

Go and enjoy it! How many times are you going to be pregnant in your life? I'm a firm believer in enjoying any benefits, like getting off work

I also firmly believe that people don't get any thanks for being martyrs to their jobs. It's totally understandable that you should go.

I work in education so timing wise it's terrible but the sick leave takes me to the Christmas holidays. I looked to apply to start maternity early but they need 28 days notice, otherwise they're not obligated to pay my full maternity package.
So I'd actually not be going back before my maternity leave begins if that makes sense.

Definitely get signed off, yours and your babies health comes first! I also agree with everything OuchLegoHurts said!

Baby’s - terrible grammar, sorry 🙈

Maternity leave automatically kicks in the day after your baby is born for the pp asking.

Go with the gp and midwife’s advice OP. Pregnancy screws with your body and you only get one of those! So look after yourself. Good luck.