Feeling guilty about being signed off work for weeks

[Justasconfusedwithnumber2]

I'm currently 31 weeks pregnant. This is my second pregnancy. The first I breezed through no problems at all, this one has been very difficult. I was signed off at 24 weeks for breathing difficulties which haven't been resolved by the GP. I am still waiting for an appointment at the hospital. Trouble is I am signed off in 2 week stints which means I feel like I am constantly on the phone to my manager to tell them I am off for abit longer...I now plan to leave work at 34 weeks if I use annual leave before Christmas but am waiting really until I have seen the consultant.
Has anyone else been off work for a while? Praying this doesn't effect me going back.

I'm currently in a similar situation. I've been off since August, due to return to work on Monday for a few weeks then going to start my mat leave just before Christmas.

I am bricking it about going back. I can't imagine I've done my career much good. Otoh DH keeps telling me that by the time I get back from mat leave it will be forgotten about. Hope he's right!

You should not, your priority is you and your baby, work is just a mean, it should not affect you more than that. Worst case scenario you will find another job, that is nothing compared to your health and baby’s health.
I am off for last 2 weeks as it was hard for me to cope with the stress at work, at the beginning it was hard but then I realised who cares, it’s just a job

Take the time you are sick off as sick leave if pregnancy related and start maternity leave when you actually have to- 36/37wks. Save that annual leave and extra time to be off post natally. I felt pressured into leaving early due to sickness and really regretted it as felt baby was too young when I went back

They probably won't even mention it, as they'll be so worried about being accused of maternity discrimination. Wish I could say that means being on maternity has no impact on your career, but I can't I don't think being off ill before mat leave makes much of a difference though. Only thing to consider/ look into is whether your maternity leave will be triggered automatically if you are off work ill with pregnancy related issues after a certain point in your pregnancy. Also, pregnancy related illness is recorded separately from ordinary sickness, so it can't be used in disciplinary procedures for example

I really feel for you, definitely take the time you need and don’t push yourself. But, I think it’s naive when people say it’s only a job and there are others so it doesn’t matter - if it’s your career it does matter, and regardless of the legal protection that surrounds maternity, there is still a stigma attached to long term sick I think. Look after yourself and go the extra mile for your employer when you go back x

Hi, just wanted to say, I work in HR and no-one will make your return to work difficult. Firstly, you are legally protected due to maternity. Secondly, this happens literally ALL the time, I mean it is REALLY REALLY common for women to have loads of time off in pregnancy. It will be totally understood, don't worry about it!

I was off with spd from 23 weeks currently 34 weeks won't be going back mat leave automatically starts at 36 week 1/12
Is the breathing problems pregnancy related?

Yes it so far been put down as pregnancy related but they still haven't formally diagnosed the problem. It started as pregnancy induced asthma. I am hoping this means I am abit more protected