Signed off for pregnancy anxiety?

[uglynakedguy0808]

Hello Mumsnet, has anyone ever been signed off in pregnancy for pregnancy related anxiety/stress? I'm 23 weeks pg and am really suffering with anxiety (I've had episodes of this before and given medication etc). I just feel like day to day I am not coping, I am constantly worried I am going to miscarry and I get myself in such a state, I can't concentrate on my work and feel like my mind is constantly on other things (usually worrying about something). My Mum has suggested speaking to GP and seeing if I can be signed off for the pregnancy, this seems very drastic to me as I've got ages until my sue date and I don't want my employer to not be happy with me. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced anxiety like this in pregnancy and if being signed off helped or if I should think about something else? Thank you

I would think there are few steps you can take before being signed off work. Speaking to your midwife would be a good idea so you can be referred for support, and speaking with your line manager about a referral to your occupational health team if you have one. Also discussing with your manager what adjustments could be made temporarily to help you at work. Then all the usual strategies from a self-help perspective which I'm sure you know if you've experienced this in the past. Regular activity and exercise if you can, use of mindfulness, healthy diet, adequate sleep, etc. Hope you are able to get some support soon.

I would think that being off work would only make the worry and overthinking worse but anxiety isn't a problem I've ever had to deal with. If you think it would help then its worth discussing it with your GP but you still have a long way to go and an idle mind isn't normally a good thing. As you say yourself it seems drastic and just because your mum suggested it doesn't mean you need to consider it, she's probably grasping at straws for ways to help you feel better.

Check out the terms of your contract: you may be forced to start your maternity leave early if you are off because of reasons relating to your pregnancy.

I had prenatal anxiety with both of my successful pregnancies due to anxiety caused because of previous multiple miscarriages. Personally I think I'd have been worse if I'd been signed of because as hard as I found working with anxiety, it at least provided some distraction. The best thing you can do imo is get help for your anxiety to manage it. I saw a psychologist while I was pregnant and that helped a lot. Have you spoken to your midwife? They should be able get you some help and support with your mental health Siri if your pregnancy.

You wouldn’t be sacked if your illness was pregnancy related, although not entirely clear in this case. Maybe ask your GP to sign you off for a couple of weeks and see if you feel well enough to carry on work after that? Once you’ve got to 28 weeks, you’ll hopefully feel a bit less anxious. And you’ll be able to start mat leave soon anyway. Hope you feel better soon.

Yes I have, but for specific reasons relating to a problem with my pregnancy and my work environment. I was off for around a month from 23 - 27/28 weeks.

It helped me. I then went back until mat leave at 37 weeks

Why don’t you refer yourself for cognitive behavioural therapy? You’ll be fast tracked because you’re pregnant. I did my referral last week, had a telephone registration appointment the following day where they assess you and then you’re on the waiting list. I suffer from severe anxiety and have just returned to work after having been signed off for 4 weeks. Now I’m pregnant, my anxiety is even worse. Friends who have done CBT have told me how good it is x

I've been suffering mental health issues during this pregnancy and I am under the care of the perinatal mental health team and seeing a specialist psychologist.

For me I wouldn't find being off work helpful. I'd be far too stressed about who was being asked to cover my work and everything going to shit in my absence, basically. Plus the routine and sense of purpose from working is helpful to me.

It's individual to each person but that's my own take. I would definitely try to get more MH support through your antenatal team if you can.

Unlike PP I was signed off work in first trimester due to pregnancy related anxiety and found it really helpful. I just wasn't coping and needed some mental and physical rest to help regroup. Mine anxiety was based around a time specific issue though so I was signed off for 3 weeks and then went back once issue had passed.

I would have a think about what benefits you will get from time off versus risk of it increasing your anxiety. Only you will know the answer as to whether it is a good idea or not. Definitely ask for support from MW time and perinatal MH referral if possible