How much time off sick has everyone taken during their entire pregnancy?

[Asianchick6693]

So far I've been off on 3 separate instances only one day each. Currently on my 3rd with MS and I'm in my second trimester but I'm really feeling awful. I feel like my manager doesn't believe me because I'm 24 weeks and experiencing this and I feel so sad, I don't want to go in feeling like this but I don't know why I feel the pressure to by thinking it's going to affect me or my job somehow.

Doesnt seem like you have had much time off really in the grand scheme of things, I wouldnt worry. If your manager is un sympathetic try not to take it to heart. Pregnancy sickness cannot be used against you and doesnt count like normal sickness when it comes to warnings and disciplineries etc. I've not had any time off yet at nearly 20 weeks but I think that's probably because I've been working from home and could manage the nausea. If I'd been in the office I probably would have taken a few sick days by now.

@Sanch1 thank you for your reassurance. I just know how short staffed they are atm. Fortunately, the manager's response was a lot better today than it was yesterday. I much rather be in work but honestly I don't know how I've coped with the MS up until now. Just can't wait to start feeling better.

It's easier to tell you how much I have worked. A total of 5 weeks so far. Not all at once. I am 26 weeks. I am suffering from HG quite severely though.

I think 3 days is nothing. I know it feels awkward but it is for a short time only, so try not to worry about it.

Signed off for first and third trimester with hyperemesis. No guilt, I was really ill!

@FilthyforFirth I just feel like I'm being awkward and usual because my MS although was horrendous first trimester it was manageable and since the 2nd trimester has hit, it's gotten progressively worse. I wasn't physically sick during the first and second trimester the MS has taken a toll. Finally got anti-sickness medication yday but don't really know if it's working since I threw up my breakfast this morning.

Sorry to hear about your sickness though, hope you feel better real soon x

Its so pregnancy specific there's no right or wrong.

I wasn't off at all during pregnancy, but my friend has been off loads with morning sickness etc.

Dont be fooled into thinking that the first trimester is thr worst for everyone. This is my 2nd HG pregnancy and both hospitalisations came in the 2nd trimester. For me it is always the worst one, no idea why.

Glad you've got some meds, they really can make a difference, what do you have cyclizine? Thank you, on a countdown, 13 weeks to go for me...

None but I was relatively well. Had morning sickness but it was literally only until 11am so I battled through the mornings (and a few incidents that required an urgent run to the bathroom and a few times I knew I wouldn’t make it so my desk bin came in handy - yuk - luckily no one was around to witness). Everyone is different though so you really can’t compare. There’s no point knowing what others have done. If you’re sick then you need the time off.

Hope all goes well for the rest of your pregnancy

I never had any sick time off but I am also one of the lucky ones who doesn’t suffer with morning sickness. Illness in pregnancy can not be used against you. I had a friend who was signed off nearly her whole pregnancy as she was so ill with HG. If you’re not well enough to work, you’re not well enough to work:

I was signed off for seven weeks total with two periods of absence. If we hadn't closed for lockdown and worked from home I would have been off a lot more. I would have ended up on early maternity leave as well.

I had Hyperemesis and have underlying health conditions that made pregnancy really tough.

@FilthyforFirth yes I'm on cyclizine but not sure how long it takes to work as currently I feel no better being on them! 13 weeks is no time at all! Must be super exciting xx

Thank you everyone for your replies. Looks like it's just so different with everyone. I guess I was feeling bad about feeling more ill in the second trimester and started worrying if it was unusual and came across as unbelievable esp to my manager. I definitely have a habit of over thinking!

Had 14 weeks off with HG. Was hospitalised. Work were incredibly supportive.

How long have you been on them? They are a first line response, so there are others to move onto if they dont work.

I'm back to throwing up multiple times a day so 13 weeks seems like forever!

@FilthyforFirth been on them since yesterday. I've been throwing up once a day since the weekend but the nausea is debilitating. I keep wretching and I've gone off all food again, struggling to eat because I'm scared of throwing it all up.

Ok you probably need to give it until Friday at least unfortunately. In my experience they are less keen to 'move you up the ladder' as it were.

Yes I feel for you. The nausea is actually the worst part. Debilitating is exactly the right word. I am bed bound right now, have been since Sunday sadly.

Give it some time, but dont be afraid to go back if it isnt working.

@FilthyforFirth aww I really do feel for you. Hope you feel better real soon and thank you for all your advice. I too am in bed today, feel exhausted but can't sleep. Can't wait for DH to come home so I can cuddle and whinge a little more. Always seems to make me feel a tiny bit better lol! Take care of yourself xx

None, a couple of instances working from home when I was too ill to go in. At one point was having nose bleeds from throwing up so much. I was exhausted.

I have no idea why I did that, no medals at the end, think I'm a bit of a mug. My employer rewarded me with stat mat pay and some 'don't know what we'll do when you leave (when are you coming back...)'

I took 3 separate bits of sick leave, varying between 1 and 3 days, just for MS up to 15ish weeks. I put my sick leave down as 'pregnancy related sick leave' and it wasnt counted as sick days.

I figured my head teacher could get an angry as he wanted. He never had the experience of vomiting for 10 solid weeks while trying to teach a classroom of 30 fifteen year olds. My line manager was a lot more understanding as she had had two kids. Take whatever time you need. MS isnt a cold. Its bloody awful.

I had 0 days- but I had an easy pregnancy and am very healthy generally. The only sickness I had was when brushing teeth or if I smelt cat food or bins but that lasted throughout pregnancy. Very lucky on the whole!

Pregnancy related sickness is protected, so I would take the time you need and try not to worry.

Didn't suffer that much with morning sickness (phew) and I was WFH anyway so none.