Asking for pregnant teachers views after today’s announcement

[Prettylittlelady]

I don’t know what to think at all. I’m 9+4 and getting very stressed out, I was reassuring myself because pregnant women hasn’t been mentioned before up until this point but now we have. But schools remain open.
Anyone in the same situation care to share what they think is best?

Currently 13 weeks and a secondary school teacher. No dea what to do. Im set to see approx 330 kids tomorrow in my assembly and teaching all day. Our school is running as usual, including parents evening this week.

Not the foggiest in way of how to follow BoJos guidance...

I'm 29 weeks' pregnant and a teacher. I suffer from significant health anxiety and am seriously considering ending my life right now. I've had enough.

I'm 13+6 and really fretting. I feel like the guidance is so wishy washy with some being called not to come back and others not yet. Surely there should be a blanket yes be in or no don't be.

@Chanel05 that’s what I think. Is it a yes or is it a no? How can people not go, if children are still going to school? My nieces primary is so small there are only 3 teachers. 2 are pregnant, that leaves one who is also the head!

@DressingGown87 oh wow! I also don't get how schools can be open yet we mustn't go to the cinema!!

So hard not having clear guidance. Family really concerned about me going in but head making it clear the advice doesn’t merit immediate non attendance.

It's worth keeping an eye on this page:

www.rcog.org.uk/coronavirus-pregnancy

Provides advice from the RCOG, Royal College of Midwives and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

@Chanel05 or the takeaway! A child can sit In class / school for 6 hours a day, with 100s of other kids, but not stand in the chinese Takeaway for 5 minutes!

@RainMinusBow we are here if you want to talk ❤️ Health anxiety is scary. Don’t give up x

I contacted our HR lady who advised i contact 111.. So i did... 111 advised to self isolate for 14 days, i just said im 13 weeks pregnant in a school of 1200 students+... She said to self isolate for 14 days with no symptoms, call 999 if i get symptoms 😐

I'm 10 weeks. I think I'm going to have to WFH. I cant see how I'm going to self isolate tho - I have an 18 month old and my husband isnt self isolating.

@RainMinusBow is there anyone you can call to talk through things? It all seems so scary when you’re worrying on your own. Evidence still points to us being absolutely fine but it’s hard not to jump to worst case scenario. Please chat on here if it helps!

If you need time off you need time off.

Also wondering about pregnant HCPs and guidance for them.

There is an RCOG Q&A on Wednesday for anyone interested (seen on Twitter)

@RainMinusBow I really hope you are alright. Please pick up the phone and talk to someone you trust. I’m worried you sound really low. You definitely need to not go in tomorrow.

@Happythoughts123 Thank you. I know it's crazy but I'm furious at myself for being pregnant and almost wishing the baby out now. I've stopped speaking to her in case the worst should happen.

Last week my OH also had emergency spinal surgery and could be with a catheter for life at just 44 so I feel right now like there's not much point carrying on.

I have to carrying on working ft for at least the time being as I'm a teacher and need the pay.

Hi all, I spoke with my head last night who said she was worried about putting pregnant staff at risk. Following today’s announcement I have said I won’t be coming in tomorrow. There is another pregnant staff member who as off today. Agree the advice isn’t totally clear, but I also don’t see teaching as “essentially contact” and feel we need to out ourselves first. I feel awful as know if I’m not there someone will have to be but surely today’s announcement means we should be able to step back?

I'm 13 weeks (secondary school teacher in London) and have been told by my Head not to come in. We had a meeting last week to discuss remote working and setting work for the children online, so looks like I'll be doing that until the advice changes.

I think given the latest COBRA advice if you are pregnant then your employer must expect you to be staying at home and shouldn't be insisting otherwise.

I'll still be going in until head says not to as can't do without my wage!

Your employer should still pay you

You would be working from home rather than being off sick

Well depending on your school setting -particularly primary -it’s quite hard to work from home. I can’t really do it at my primary.

But I do agree with previous poster -I do think it’s hard for bosses not to pay us for being off after this latest advice -that seems very unjust and I don’t think the unions would like it.

@mouse1234567 Spoken to my HT who is expecting me in but will discuss it with me.
I've had terrible MH for years and have had counselling etc but it's all pointless.

I honestly feel the whole world is against me I've had so much trauma to deal with in my life. Guess I just want to be at peace.

@RainMinusBow I’m so sorry to hear about your situation and to hear how low you are. Surely this in itself is a reason to get signed off -could you get a doctors note for your mental wellbeing.

I hope your husband recovers quickly.

I think heads are tough asking pregnant teachers after today’s announcement still to come in. Most people working from home -let alone most pregnant people!

I’m 21 weeks and teach in a college. The college is currently still open and only rumoured to be closing from next week but nothing official. I have three DC in primary school with no word on their school closing, how will I get them to school and back if I have to ‘self isolate’ exactly?

Also genuinely concerned about midwife appointments and such, will they now be home visits?

I'm 26 weeks and work in a secondary school. I'm going to go in tomorrow to handover as much as I can and seek advice from HR.

12 weeks sounds like a long time. I've got a DD in primary; if I'm out of work, should she be off? Guidance doesn't currently seem to suggest keeping her off but I can't isolate and do the school run. If she keeps going to school, does it really make much difference me going to work? All very confusing.

I still don't feel any clearer with the advice given. Im 10 weeks and haven't told anyone yet. I'm going in early tomorrow to talk to the HR lady as the HT is currently self isolating...