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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Pregnant teachers

54 replies

Newmumtobe7654 · 08/07/2020 10:27

I am a secondary school teacher. I will be 30 weeks pregnant when the new term starts and I have been told that I will be going in and teaching a normal timetable. I read that shielding people will not have to from the 1st August and I feel fine that I will be going to work but I was just wondering if any pregnant women have been told what the plans are for them in the new academic year. Are you required to go in or still working from home?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Gidget19 · 25/08/2020 14:18

Hi all,

I’m a primary school teacher and will be 8 weeks when we go back. I wasn’t planning on telling work until my 12 weeks but I have been so unwell and hardly able to get up most days I may have to tell them earlier. I found out yesterday that it’s twins so at least that explains the extreme sickness! I don’t think I’ll be able to hide a twin bump for very long!

On the social distancing front I have received no information about the situation for next year so assume I’ll have to wait for the inset days.

NoNameIdeas · 25/08/2020 15:48

Hi! We go back next week for 2 Inset days (I'll be 27 weeks) but then I'm not really sure what the plan is! I've been taken out of class (maternity plans in place for the year) but not sure what I will be doing or if I will be in school or working from home. Such a strange time!
I saw hospital midwife at the start of the holidays and she basically said not to go back into school...I'm seeing my local midwife on Thursday so will ask her also and then go from there.

Does anyone have any links to more recent guidance? X

Amwl · 25/08/2020 16:32

I summarised the guidance for my headteacher, here it is as it may be useful. The links didn't copy over, sorry.

RCoOG (here)

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists have published guidance citing research to show that women in their third trimester are at increased risk of becoming seriously unwell as a result of coronavirus, including preterm birth of their babies. Evidence has now confirmed vertical transmission of coronavirus from pregnant women to their unborn children. Their occupational health guidance focusses on healthcare workers, though the DfE have recommended that pregnant staff follow this guidance. They state that pregnant women can only continue to work in direct patient-facing roles if they are under 28 weeks’ gestation and if this follows a risk assessment that recommends they can continue working, subject to modification of the working environment and deployment to suitable alternative duties. Pregnant women of any gestation should not be required to continue working if this is not supported by the risk assessment, as per the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSW).

Department for Education (here)

“The Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (RCOG) has published occupational health advice for employers and pregnant women. This document includes advice for women from 28 weeks gestation or with underlying health conditions who may be at greater risk. We advise employers and pregnant women to follow this advice and to continue to monitor for future updates to it.”

NHS (here)

The UK Government continues to classify pregnant women as clinically vulnerable. Advice for clinically vulnerable groups is to keep social interactions low, maintain 2 metres distance when interacting with others, and be extra diligent with hand hygiene. The advice remains that pregnant women who can work from home should continue to do so. Those who cannot work from home can work in a public-facing role if the employer can make appropriate arrangements to minimise exposure to the virus.

NEU (here)

Pregnant women should not be required to attend school during a lockdown or if the risk assessment does not advise that it is safe for them to do so.

Employers can adjust working arrangements to enable teachers and support staff to work from home if it is safe to do so. If working from home is not possible, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should be offered suitable alternative employment at the same rate of pay, if this is available. If neither option is possible, employers can arrange for women to be medically suspended on full pay for as long as necessary to protect their health and safety.

NoNameIdeas · 25/08/2020 18:08

Thank you so much @Amwl that is really helpful!

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