Primary teacher

[Graced05111991]

Hi all,

I'm nearly 5 weeks pregnant and so excited!

I am a bit anxious about the sickness etc to come especially as I am a teacher in charge of 25 year 2 children everyday! I find it so hard to take days off as I feel irresponsible and also I'm worried as it's exhausting anyway!

Just wondering anyone else's experience if they went through pregnancy whilst teaching?

Did you tell your headteacher?

I know it's all worth it in the end but would be good to hear others stories

Hi @Graced05111991 congratulations on your pregnancy!! ❤️

I’m a primary teacher in reception and now 24 weeks pregnant.
Are you experiencing any sickness yet?
I was super lucky & didn’t get any sickness whatsoever! Before I knew it the first trimester was over and I had a lot more energy - what I’m saying is, don’t always assume it’s going to be all sickness doom and gloom, as that isn’t everyone’s experience ☺️ If you are already feeling sick, sorry that this doesn’t really answer your question in that sense.
The job is tiring and I found that hard, would literally come home from school, have dinner and go straight to bed! But energy levels picked up after 12 weeks.
I told my head as soon as I knew because of COVID and having a risk assessment etc. which I would advise - especially with this evenings announcements. Xx

Hi, congratulations!
I'm a primary teacher and had a mixed Rec-Y2 class for my first pregnancy. I found it so tiring, the sickness didn't help but it got better after 12 weeks. I also had quite a violent child in my class at the time so was anxious about being injured by them whilst pregnant. Luckily not though!

Currently pregnant again (4+4 weeks), I'm going to be telling my head teacher ASAP due to covid and wanting more protection in the classroom. I also found it was much easier last time when she knew as if I wasn't feeling well, she understood.

I told my deputy at 6 weeks pregnant (😬) because I was expected to go on a residential trip which involved wild camping.. I wasn’t comfortable with that! Thankfully, it was close to the end of term so the end of my first trimester was in the holidays, I think this made it a little easier. I know what you mean about taking days off though, I think teaching is true only profession where it’s easier to be there feeling rough than to take a day off!

Completely agree with PP about the tiredness, I was useless in the evenings! I just did what I could and tried to make life as easy as possible - east dinners and got a cleaner 😊

Oh and congratulations!

Thanks everyone, I'll definitely tell my headteacher then when I'm back and hopefully can avoid the sickness! I had a brief day of sickness but it's early days I guess.

@KHR1

What extra measures should they put in place? My headteacher isn't particularly supportive ! Should I speak to my union first?

I'm worried now as after this announcement my school is going back Monday.

Xx

@Graced05111991 tbh from what I've seen of the guidence, not a lot until 28 weeks. I think from that point it's working in a socially distanced role or from home but it very much depends on your head and HR.

I don't feel like my head is going to be great, she was a bit harsh at times with my last pregnancy and appointments. I'm hoping they will try and make a bit more of an effort with social distancing for me though. It's so hard to stay away from the children and we still have face to face staff meetings and a crammed staffroom at breaks which I hate.

@KHR1 thank you, I'm very anxious to be honest.
I've also read about the 28 weeks. I've also read articles saying pregnant woman aren't actually at any higher risk so this is reassuring me a bit. Let me know how it goes x

@Graced05111991 sorry forgot to update!
I told my head at 5 weeks, just before we came back after Christmas. She said she would have a meeting about a risk assessment with our site manager but I'm still waiting to see it. There's mixed guidence at the moment with schools being open to key workers and the vulnerable as I read somwhere all pregnant staff should work from home if they can but I'm still in school full time. I had m booking appoi tment with the midwife today and she's suggested getting union advice just to see what measures they would reccommend being put in place as she seemed to think there should be something!
How did it go for you?

As soon as you’ve informed them the HAVE to do a risk assessment for you. Email, so it’s in writing, asking when you are going to get a risk assessment since you told them if you pregnancy on x of x. (I’m an NEU rep.)

Thanks @Trenzalor! I'll email in the morning and ask

@KHR1 I actually sadly had a miscarriage a few days after posting this :( so didn't get the chance to say anything! But useful information for next time. Thank you xx

@Graced05111991 I'm so sorry, that's awful news x

@KHR1 Thank you, I hope you're pregnancy is going well xx

@KHR1 your*!!!