Off work at 32 weeks and feel so guilty

[Passthepigs]

Saw physio today as I have SPD and have had some tape put on my lower back and been given crutches to help with walking. GP is going to sign me off for a week but I feel really bad about it.

I’m a teacher and have been plodding along while gritting my teeth so I think they are going to wonder why I could work yesterday but not today. I hate having time off and always feel like a fraud. Especially because I’m not ill in bed and so I feel like I should be working.

Anyone else feel like this after being signed off?

Consider what you would think about a pregnant colleague with SPD who was signed off.

Would you really think badly of them?

Of course not. You just be concerned that they were have the rest they needed.

I’ve also been signed off for other reasons and felt bad about it but to be honest, my health and baby health comes first. Replaceable in jobs, health isn’t. Take care of yourself.

I was signed off until maternity leave just after Christmas (I was 32 weeks). Think of it this way: if you push through, you could make it worse and then not be able to care for your little one or have truly long term damage... and no one wants that!!

The kids will survive, and so will your colleagues. We're all replaceable!

I know school will manage, it’s just that feeling that maybe I should just get on with it and carry on.

I think it would be better if a health professional said definitely don’t work. But my GP is happy to sign off purely on my own decision about the pain and how I’m managing so I feel guilty that I’ve decided to have a week off.

Hi 👋 I’m a teacher too and was signed off with PGP and leg/back spasms at 26 weeks in my last pregnancy. My legs gave out in front of my class one lesson and I realised that I had pushed myself too far. The GP signed me off for the remainder of my pregnancy. I 100% understand the guilt you are feeling - teaching is a vocation and we truly want to be there for our kids but you cannot hope to go continue working if you don’t rest now, when you need it! I didn’t rest when advised and then I ended up not being able to continue at all.
Take the week and rest... hopefully you will be able to return and continue. However if you can’t dont feel guilty because at this time in your life you have to put yourself and baby first. The school won’t give you a medal for dragging yourself around. You really don’t want to end up collapsing in front of the kids I’ll tell you that!
Teaching is so draining in so many ways and you are no less a great teacher because you take a week that you need x

Teacher here also signed off work!
It’s not a job where you can “muddle through”. I feel guilty for my class being left and also for my colleagues who have to pick up the planning slack but you have to look after yourself and your baby. As PP said, school will manage and we are all replacable.
Hope you feel better soon!

Thanks, that makes me feel better.

Hoping they can adjust my timetable so I can go back in next week and focus on my A-level classes and some intervention work rather than my usual classes.

I think teaching is one of those jobs that I know I feel so guilty when I have time off- and think the majority of teachers feel guilty having time off. But it is a tough job and not just mentally but physically.
Have a talk to your work explaining how you are feeling and hopefully they will sort your timetable to help.
I have been lucky as since xmas I have been a TA and support rather than a year 1 teacher. I am due next week and finishing on Friday, I am shattered however I try not to show it!