Work place stress

[gimmeadoughnut123]

Hi all

Just wondering if you could share your advice/experiences re stress at work in pregnancy. I'm a PA to somebody fairly important so my job is also very fast paced. I have a lot going on outside of work (family in hospital) so I feel exhausted.
I spoke to my manager about this yesterday and we looked at ways that the pressure could be taken off me for the next couple of weeks because I feel like I can't cope. He asked the person who I PA for about me working home for a day a week over the next couple of weeks. They were ok with it but not keen on it being a regular thing in case it effects them. So I've arranged it for 2 days when they are on leave but not starting for another week.

I have woken up today feeling physically and mentally drained. I feel like I did the right thing by making work aware of my situation but not sure it's going to help given the response (which I may have taken out of context but I don't feel that great about it). My family have all told me to call in sick but I will now get anxious about doing that. Surely working at all is better than calling in sick with no notice?

I do have anxiety issues and have a history of not wanting to take sickness because of how it looks at work.

I'm a bit stuck and don't know what to do. I don't have any leave left to take.

Forgot to say I am 17 weeks + 2 days pregnant and this is common knowledge at work.

Your statutory maternity pay entitlement is calculated between weeks 17 and 25 so it would be wise not to do anything that significantly reduces your income during these weeks if you can help it (I.e take unpaid leave)

Is there anyone who can or anything you can do to reduce your stress outside of work? Can you do things like ensure you get your full lunch break away from your desk etc at work just to have a bit of downtime?

I get contractual sick pay so not sure going off sick would effect SMP would it?

And not really (outside of work stuff). My dad is in hospital and has been in and out since November so we are all as stressed as each other.
I do take my lunch break each day but it's not making a huge impact at the minute.