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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Time off work during first trimester?

12 replies

BoomyBooms · 04/07/2019 08:56

I'm 7+4 weeks and have been feeling really awful with NVP. I've had to tell work about the pregnancy even though it's so early, because I'm in a new job and felt so tired and nauseous I was worried they would judge me negatively if they didn't know the truth. Turns out my boss has been fantastically supportive.

This week the NVP has eased off quite a lot but I'm still constantly nauseous, starving hungry whilst repulsed by most food, and absolutely knackered. I just want to go home and sleep, tbh.

Would you take time off work sick for this?

I'm worried I'm being too fragile and need to 'tough it out'!

Thanks in advance

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Slicedpineapple · 04/07/2019 09:03

Personally, I wouldn't, especially with a new job. It's early days, I would stick it out.

Ginger biscuits are good for helping with nausea. Eat very little but very often.

When I got pregnant I could only eat a select couple of thibgs so just lived off them in work. I also had to tell colleagues who I worked directly with so that stinky foods stayed out of the office.

MrFlibblesEyes · 04/07/2019 09:45

I personally would tough it out if you can. I always found that I actually felt better at work, my nausea was worst when I was lying down and I guess I had time to think about it more at home. Being up and about helped a lot- plus you will feel rough regardless so better to be getting paid whilst you do!

scratchbass · 04/07/2019 12:25

I would tough it out, you might feel worse in future and really need the sick leave.

Leleophants · 04/07/2019 12:28

Time off for pregnancy related illness is counted differently to normal sickness.

If you need to take it off - take it off!!

PeachesandPie · 04/07/2019 13:51

First pregnancy I toughed it out, this time round I plan to take as much sick as I need to! If you're not well, dont go in. Make sure HR know so the absence isn't counted against you.

Liverbird77 · 04/07/2019 15:09

I would keep going. It is hard but it isn't forever.

PlugUgly1980 · 04/07/2019 15:17

I would keep going. In the first trimester with both mine I struggle with nausea and tiredness, although no actual sickness. Occasionally I worked shorter days or worked from home if that was an option. I cut back on stuff outside of work, often going straight to bed for a nap once DH was home whilst he picked up making dinner, doing housework etc. I did the bare minimum outside of work to preserve my energy.

Karigan195 · 04/07/2019 15:24

Wouldn’t and didn’t. Instead judge your day wisely. I resorted to saving my one caffeinated drink to lunchtime to get me through the afternoon. Kept ice pops in the freezer at work for instant hydration, heart burn and calming a stomach cures, and napped in the car at lunch when I needed to.

It’s hard hard work but you can do it. Just try to find out what works for you. Remember there is a deadline to feeling exhausted and as you second to second trimester you should feel better.

livloves87 · 04/07/2019 15:47

@boomybooms I am in a very similar situation to you. 7+6 weeks and I am in a fairly new job and had to tell my boss quite early on as I have had complications due to diabetes so in the hospital quite a lot.

I say if you feel exhausted and tired take the time off to re-coup, you're doing the baby no favours by wearing yourself out and stressing over work. If they know you're pregnant they will probably be very flexible with your situation, maybe wfh or flexible working if you know you're worse in the mornings you could come in later and work later.

Congratulations by the way!!

Framlingham2 · 04/07/2019 18:35

If you're really struggling - take time off. It's ridiculous to force it. Make sure to look after yourself and the baby, work need to understand. We are not robots. They'll cope without you and can't hold it against you. You won't get any brownie points for struggling. Health always comes first.

chocpop · 04/07/2019 19:07

If you need to take time off, then take it off. Just make sure you've got a doctors note so they know it's a pregnancy related illness. They can't discriminate against you for it. Just be aware that closer to the end of your pregnancy if you need time off again, if it's a pregnancy related reason then they may force your maternity leave early (so I just said I had the flu that time, haha).

Do what's best for you and your baby. You aren't taking the piss, pregnancy can be a tough old slog! Hope you feel better soon!

Original poster

BoomyBooms · 04/07/2019 21:08

Thank you so much for your replies everyone! It's pretty mixed isn't it... I guess that's because there are pretty good reasons to take time but also pretty good reasons to tough it out. I did end up going home 1.5 hours early today in the end because I just got to the point I couldn't think straight... I have also cut right back on doing anything after work too. DH is away this weekend so I will have a super slow weekend to myself and hope I feel better next week. I also tried acupuncture for the NVP tonight so hoping that helps too!

Thanks so much everyone x

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