Pregnant during covid

[Clasikal]

Hi was after some advice, is anyone more than 28 weeks pregnant and is your job working closely with the public?
Gov advises to try and work from home when 28 weeks, but in my job I cant and I am very anxious about my safety at work during covid. Anyone is similar position? Thanks

[lilianlawrie91]

laura2109 I think being able to work later for me is just luck more than anything. Everyone is different in pregnancy some get an easier time than others. This is my third baby and its been my worst pregnancy in terms of sickness but other than that I'm not bad. I know my bump isn't massive compared with others at my stage but my babies are always a fair size. Probably because I'm tall. Its hard doing my 9 hour shifts and I'm not allowed to lift anything too heavy but i can move to checkouts whenever I'm at the point its too difficult.

[Sixpencefaux]

My midwife did write me a letter to give to my employer. I also spoke to my gp who agreed to sign me off for two weeks with anxiety. In the end ai didn’t use either as my employer let me go but there were options of your anxiety is really bad.

[Sansa87]

I don’t really have anything extra to add. The company should do regular risk assessments for covid though. That’s a legal requirement as far as I’m aware.

My company has just redone theirs to coincide with government advice and I’ll be medically suspended from 28 weeks (I’m 25+4 today)

I’m so happy because work has been tough, & I dread customers bringing in covid.

[SisterCreep]

Clasikal You should try and go through your midwife to get a sick note. Explain that you are incredibly stressed and anxious about going to work and that you aren't sleeping because of it. Your GP should be doing everything they can to make this a stress free time for you. I don't understand why they write sick notes for any Tom, Dick, and Harry but when you genuinely need one they hold back. It's frustrating.

[Clasikal]

Sistercreep I spoke to gp today but not much help about being signed off, she suggested I get another risk assessment done! I work very closely with customers so it's impossible to socially distance! I'm really anxious, dont think I can face going in without being so upset and angry!

[Clasikal]

Wildflower92 yeah my employers are exactly the same dont think they will change their mind, it's awful the way they are treating us!
Laura2109 I was planning on taking my maternity leave at 36 weeks if I can make it that far, I'm only at 28 weeks, I am definitely feeling more exhausted at work though.

[laura2109]

I don't really relate to this thread, but just wanted to ask how you lot manage to work so far into pregnancy?! I'm 35 weeks and just a couple of steps is a challenge, and I don't walk but waddle, sitting for more than 20 minutes at times make me exhausted etc... How are you coping, especially those working in retail, being on your feet most of the day?!!? On a side note, what some employers are doing is disgusting, seek legal advice!

[WindFlower92]

I see my midwife next week, I think I'll ask her if it's possible for her to sign me off as I've asked my head a couple of times and they keep saying no, so I don't think they'll change their mind @Sixpencefaux! This has definitely made me reevaluate my willingness to work there after maternity leave!

[lilianlawrie91]

SisterCreep your right some definitely twist it to suit themselves. Im March last year all the pregnant people in my store were sent home regardless of gestation. They say its different this time because we know more about avoiding risks. Im not convinced its any safer. The government really should do a standard statement for all to clear up this mess

[SisterCreep]

Is there any way your midwife could sign you off sick?
I only say this as I'm just over 28 weeks, and I work in a hospital, albeit not a patient facing role. I've been asking my boss if I can work from home, (which he let another member of staff do when she was 28 weeks back in the autumn). He refused my request and said that regardless of my colleagues being patient facing, and the inability to socially distance at work, that because I wear a mask all day then I'm perfectly safe.
I had a midwife appointment at 28wks and she signed me off sick for a few weeks due to the risk and my anxiety surrounding Covid, especially as colleagues have tested positive recently.

Would your midwife do the same for you? The stress can't be good for you.

I only wish the government would put in clear cut guidelines across the board for pregnant women, regardless of job role. Some employers have a knack of manipulating guidelines to suit themselves.

[Sixpencefaux]

@WindFlower92 I am a teacher. Secondary. I worked up until 28 weeks and then at that point I emailed my head, after several conversations, and said I just didn’t feel safe. He agreed I could work from home. However now that we are in a national lockdown he actually sent all pregnant staff home no matter what gestation.

[gemgem1404]

@Clasikal I'd definitely keep fighting for it. The government guidelines clearly state 28 weeks + pregnant is considered higher risk if they can't provide a non customer facing roll then they must suspend you on paid leave. Google coronavirus advice for pregnant women it's on gov.uk website it was updated on 11th January x

[WindFlower92]

Anyone know what the advice for teachers is? I asked my school if it would be possible to wfh from March (if the schools reopen) and got told no. They said it only needs to be possible to socially distance from adults and not children, which I don't believe is in the guidelines! Anyone on here work in education?

[Sixpencefaux]

My work have allowed me to work from home
From 28 weeks. I pushed for it x

[Mummy0220]

I'm 34 weeks and work in a Extremely busy GP practice. We run a minor injuries and a COVID vaccine hub as well as our own patients that need to be f2f (most are calls but some still need examination) so have literally hundreds of patients a day in the building.
I'm still in work but staying in the back of reception or in the admin area upstairs so far away from patients.
Being a GP practice they aren't allowed to furlough anyone.
Your workplace has a responsibility to ensure you can socially distance and not be public facing. If they can't provide that they have to either furlough or suspend with full pay. Find it on the gov website and print it as proof maybe, GPs can't provide letters for having to be furloughed for health reasons, there's templates on the gov website though.
Hope you get sorted OP the extra stress isn't good for either of you

[Clasikal]

Lilianlawrie I have told them how I'm feeling, I was a total mess at work! You shouldn't be at work either, I hope u get away before 38 weeks

[Clasikal]

MrsB93 they done one at 13 weeks which was just basic, nothing to do with covid! Yeah I've seen the letter template, think I will give them one! I think they are hoping I'm just going to forget about the risks and just go back into work!

[lilianlawrie91]

Clasikal maybe if you explained the extra stress and anxiety you were facing they could put you on medical leave instead of furlough because your right it cant be good for you or baby

[lilianlawrie91]

Glad they have sent you home gemgem. Im fortunate that I don't have any other underlying medical problems so unless something changes I guess I'll be in until 38 weeks.

[MrsB93]

Have your work carried out a risk assessment? You can request this at the very least so they have to detail ways in which they will mitigate the risks to you.
Some great advice on a website called pregnant then screwed if you google it, they even have letter templates to send to your employer. The guidance is they should suspend you on full pay if they can’t remove you from public facing or you can’t work from home after 28 weeks. Don’t give up, it’s worth pushing for not just yourself but others who are perhaps too frightened to speak up.

[Clasikal]

Gemgem1404 I wonder why my company wont do that, seems like some places will and some wont going by people replies. Good for you!

[gemgem1404]

I just reached 28 weeks and have been suspended on full pay. The supermarket I work for has suspended all women who have underlying health conditions in pregnancy of are past the 28 weeks mark

[Clasikal]

Yeah I dont understand it either lilianlawrie!
I've spoken to gp aswel which wasnt much help! I am totally stressed out and anxious, this cant be good for my health!

[lilianlawrie91]

Clasikal my employer is basically saying the same thing. Its strange how you can be doing the same job as someone else but they will be sent home and you wont

[Clasikal]

I've already spoke to my employer and they aware of being more vulnerable at 28 weeks, but still want me to return to work without changing my role or supporting me with not travelling on public transport at peak times. Doesn't seem like there is much support for us pregnant women!