Should I go back to work?

[justtb]

I am currently 13 weeks pregnant, I work in retail serving on tills. The week before we went into lockdown I was advised by my MH Keyworker (whose wife is pregnant) to not go into work anymore. I was then given a week off to self isolate.
The following week my midwife confirmed that I should not be going to work unless I am able to social distance - which wasn't possible at the time. This was also confirmed my receptionist at GP the following week.
It's been 6 or 7 weeks. Today my DP told me that pregnant women are not high risk anymore and are returning to work. Is this true? Surely not? He said what my midwife told me is old news, I'm not sure I agree. My 12 week scan last week didn't offer much chance for communication either..
I only leave the house to walk my dog or for a weekly big shop. I know a girl who caught COVID from a supermarket and she almost died - I am now terrified to even do a shop!
I guess I just want to know if I should stay away from work. I feel quite guilty for not going in but id be so worried to go back!

What work do you do?

@GreenTulips work on the tills at b&m

My understanding of it is that women in the third trimester are in the same vulnerability category as over 70s etc and should WFH where possible, seriously restrict social contact with others etc etc. If I remember rightly, RCOG say that pregnant women of any stage need to be able to social distance at work which it, sounds like you can't. It's probably worth you looking at the RCOG guidance.

RCOG guidelines placed ALL pregnant women in the vulnerable category as caution. Those that are 28 weeks and above are advised to completely stay at home. Those under 28weeks that have no other health issues can chose to stay in work.if they do so they are advised to social distance and their manager is required to minimise their risk. If their manager can not minimise their risk then they have to respect that pregnant staff member and either relocate them to an admin role or something that does not involve direct contact with risk. If they cannot do this I believe it’s sent home to shield on full pay. I am an nhs nurse and have been on the phone to my union, occupational health, and pregnant workers charities regarding my rights. And I am now off on full pay. Visit the RCOG for more guidelines

No advice but I’m concerned reading this, I’m currently not working as I’m non essential but I’m self employed and when I do return to work I can’t socially distance, I’m getting no financial help currently and need to go back to work asap, to earn and salvage my business.
What a mess this whole situation is.

See this does worry me. I'm 31 weeks pregnant and have seen I should stay at home but if course I still have to go to scans and midwife appointments so every time I leave the house to check on my baby's health I also risk his health.
OP I would call your midwife and ask their advice. I know I was told I could carry on working but this was a while ago so advice may have changed.

Thank you for the reassurance. I will speak to my midwife at 16 week phone appointment as it's the same week as next lockdown update... and try not to feel so guilty for not going in

@lavenderpurple have you tried looking on the citizens advice website?

I thought it was now only pregnant women with congenital heart conditions that were high risk?

@strawberry2017 I think I'm going to have to ring midwife tomorrow and ask.. I know pregnant women in general aren't necessarily more 'high risk' it's just to do with the immune system etc etc

I though it was only ever women in the last trimester who were classed as high risk?

There are three groups of people, the healthy, the vulnerable and the extremely vulnerable. Pregnant women with heart conditions are extremely vulnerable so should be shielding. Pregnant women fall into the vulnerable category, it is unclear if covid 19 is worse for pregnant women but other respiratory illness particularly in the final trimester. Being in the vulnerable category you should minimise contact with crowds and practice social distancing - the same advice that is being given to the healthy group too which is why you currently see less differentiation between the healthy and vulnerable groups, whilst the extremely vulnerable should be following extra shielding steps as they are particularly at risk.

I work at Tesco and I'm 11 weeks. I spoke to a midwife at 6 weeks and said that I work at Tesco is it safe for me to carry on working? She said that it only really accounts to pregnant woman over 28 weeks and as long as you social distance ( I'm on the tills behind a screen) your be fine going to work. I'm working as a temp at Tesco as I lost my job when we went into lockdown as I was in my notice period. The managers and shift managers are aware of me being pregnant and have been really nice about it!

I’m currently working as a midwife and am 13 weeks pregnant. We were told we could choose whether to work face to face or not up until 28 weeks when we will have to be on desk duty. I’ve chosen to remain frontline given current evidence.

I spoke to midwife and she said that I can return to work as long as I social distance. I am not to go on shop floor, touch anything or be near customers. We do not have screens around our tills so that's in no way an option for me. I asked about third trimester and she said not to worry about that but it is a work from home basis..