Working at 28 plus weeks pregnant

[Rabbit19]

Hi,
I work in the veterinary industry, where I have been off for the festive season I am struggling with bending and lifting due to back pain. My little one is due march and planned on starting my mat leave beginning of February. However now with all this pain I am unsure as to whether I should return to work in the new year as I will be unable to fully fullfill my roll, I suffer badly with anxiety and stress, and dont want this pain or my mental health to affect my little one. Should I see if doctor will sign me off for a while, before maternity leave in February or start maternity leave now??
Opinions / advice would be greatly appreciated

I was in a similar position to you. Went off sick this time last year and started my mat leave beginning Feb.

If you're too ill to work, then you need to be signed off. If you are returning to work, you don't want to use up for your limited mat leave before the baby is even here.

Hi OP, if you are in pain and your job is making it worse then a doctor will absolutely sign you off and should. If you don’t want to get signed off, could you talk to work and see if they can alter your duties for instance you could answer phones or work reception etc?

With my first pregnancy I was working as a vet nurse, I pushed to go on reception towards the end as I was sick of doing on call/theatre/restraining. It may be worth speaking to the practice to see if they will consider this, but please put your health and the baby's first

Thanks everyone, hoping to talk to my doctor monday and my practice maybe able to move me to reception for a while just have to be brave and speak to my manager

I am a vet too and I am also due in March! So much solidarity, I am dreading going back to work after the Christmas break. I thin, for myself, it is time to start making reasonable changes - a comfy chair to sit in rather than standing all day. A bit less lifting etc.

For me it's hard as I'm the type of person that just wants to carry on as normal and do everything the same. I worry about what people would say about me doing less or moving departments, want to carry on working as long as I can but dont know if the lack of ability to perform my role and therefore become stressed and anxious is worth it. Never been in this position before, first baby, so really unsure as to what to do