Should I have been shielding?

[mumworkstudywine]

Just trying to work something out.

I found out I was pregnant in March. At 6 weeks pregnant, my HR guy told me I did not fall into the vulnerable category. Today I had an email from the Head of HR who referred to me as clinically vulnerable to Covid.

My question is, even though I was in my first trimester at the time, WAS I CLINICALLY VULNERABLE and should I have been shielding at home all this time?! The HR guy and my manager sort of waved it off as I was new to the company, but one of my managers went off as she was over 28 weeks so...

For context, I'm a social care worker.

I think the advice is to social distance and work from home where possible, but unless you have a pre-existing heart condition, you wouldn't need to shield in the first trimester.

www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/coronavirus-pregnancy/covid-19-virus-infection-and-pregnancy/#general

Looks like more of an issue in 3rd trimester and before that just need to social distance from others

Clinically vulnerable and shielding are two different categories.

The clinically vulnerable do not need to shield, but they should be diligent about following guidelines especially keeping a good distance. This group is also known as the 'flu jab' group or the moderate risk group.

The exceptionally clinically vulnerable group (also known as the shield group or the high risk group) only includes pregnant women is they have certain specified severe cardiac conditions.

It does not sound from what you have posted that you have ever been in the shield group

Thanks everyone, I wanted to double check before I said anything. 😊

Clinically vulnerable (ie including all pregnant women) are entitled to some extra protections at work. They should do all they can so that you can work from home, or at least more safely - they should probably do a risk assessment at the very least.