Not sure if I should be taking part in this at work? H&S issue?

[Riversun12345]

I'm nly 6/7 weeks pregnant so obviulsy not very far along, only a few people at work know I'm pregnant (one being my manager )

I work in a high school and tomorrow we are meant to be taking part in a yearly sponsored walk that the school does around a big hill (not up the hill) when I have done this in previous years there is always big crowds of students and it can get quite cramped. The weather had also been very wet, therefor it is slippy along the muddy paths.

Should I take part in it? I love walking and I go on daily walks anyway, but I am worried about slipping over in the crowns and hurting myself (there will be 1500 students on this walk)

I think you're being overly cautious. A walk is not a health and safety issue for you at 6 weeks pregnant.

Your pregnancy is just a tiny 6mm embryo, like a baked bean and surrounded by your organs, tissues, fluid and layers of fat and muscle.
It would be like saying you're worried about damaging your appendix by falling over on a walk.

Invest in some sturdy shoes with good grip or take a walking pole if you're anxious

Even if you fall over at 6/7 weeks it won’t do any harm. I remember this bit - you think you should wrap yourself in cotton wool. But there’s a long way to go, and the female body is well adapted to childbearing whilst carrying on day to day life as normal (except morning sickness of course, huge design flaw)

A walk doesn't quality as a health and safety issue.

Do what you’re comfortable with.

I'm not saying the walk itself causes a health and safety issue. More about the crowds of people down narrow paths making it easier to tall over due to the wet slippery floor.

I enjoy walking very much, but I wasn't sure if something did happen that this would then cause a H&S issue from not telling them im expecting etc.

Tell them and then do the walk. And do try to calm down about it all- the overthinking and stress will do you no good.

Invest in a good pregnancy book and have a read. Being more in the know about what is and isn't an issue will help.

Surely the risk of anyone falling due to crowds/mud is in the risk assessment anyway?

Is this your first baby?

@Yafilthyanimal no it isn't. but i've had some bleeding etc which is why i'm a bit concerned, seems like from some peoples comments that i'm not allowed to be concerned though

I would start by telling them your expecting, they'll then do a risk assessment as to whether you should do the walk or not.

@CocaColaTruck1 thank you.

Usually, women tell their employer they're pregnant after the viability stage at around 12 weeks. You are entitled to time off for your first scan and or subsequent appointments.

I see no risk to you taking part in a walk. I'm sorry you feel upset by the replies but I was trying to reassure you that there are no additional risks to your embryo in taking part (from a medical view) and if you should slip over, your body will protect your foetus.

If you are anxious (understandable if you've had bleeding or difficulty with previous pregnancies) then you can take measures such as wearing good footwear, taking a walking pole and hanging back- taking up the rear end of the walk and letting groups of walkers past.

Legally, you don't not have to tell your employer you're pregnant at this very early stage.

Oh and congratulations

If you fell your baby is very well protected at this stage. You are clearly incredibly anxious which is understandable but unnecessary. Relax and enjoy the walk!

I was hiking in the mountains throughout my pregnancy and even skied, I wouldn't worry about a walk

So often when I read a post on mumsnet about questions about pregnancy and work I find the answers quite harsh. They always boil down to pregnant is not ill- just get on with it- if you're worried about your pregnancy you probably have an anxiety disorder and need some specialist help. Perhaps there is some secret collection of HR managers that scroll through these messages to respond in a way most preferable to employers (this is a joke btw). It's weird because on so many other subjects the support is usually so caring and kind.

I totally get your question and concern OP. When I was around 6 weeks I had to run the sports day for reception and it was absolutely awful. I felt so awful- sick, exhausted, constantly needing a wee but unable to go, stressed and uncomfortable in my own skin. This was without the stress of possibly falling in the mud or having some kid bump into me. If you feel up for it I think you can do it without problems but if you feeling stressed about it then give yourself a break and cheer along your students and colleagues. Take care!

If you are worried about the crowd could you not wait till the majority of people set off and be at the back.

There is no clear H&S risk in participating. Of course if this is giving you a lot of stress I would suggest to discuss about it. Pregnancy is a long long run, we need to find the best balance between listening to our gut and being realistic (and of course following medical advice :) )

@Matilda128 thank you for your kind response!! As you say, some people can be very abrupt with their replies!

I think being too tired is more of a risk than slipping over etc - at 7 weeks I could barely keep my eyes open during a full day of work let alone go on a long walk!

Take sensible precautions but as was told to me many times at the start, your baby is like a poppy seed inside a jar of peanut butter - you aren't going to shake it loose

It totally depends on the individual. I was bedbound with Hyperemesis in first trimester and hospitalised at 7 weeks. However, the other extreme is that Serena Williams won a grand slam in her first trimester. Two extremes with lots of variability in between!

@ButFirstTea luckily my fatigue isn't to bad (yet) although I'm tired , I'm nowhere near as tires as I was with my 1st pregnancy! 1st time around it took me all I could to ger in the shower, and work was torture!

As a H&S trained person there are clear risks, however it is easy to put in place some mitigations. Further more pregnant people and U18s are classed as vulnerable people so any assessment should be extra vigilant

Risks
Crowded with so many pupils/People
Slip/Trip risk

Mitigators that could be employed:
Better or stricter control of movement of people around the hill (may be even more appropriate if muddy anyway for every one)
Walking at the front or rear of a group if possible
Walking with a partner/buddy

With regard slips and trips
as someone already said, maybe use a walking pole(s) and make sure sensible shoes, identify who your first aiders are and have relevant phone numbers with you, make sure the appropriate people are aware of your pregnancy (without letting all and sundry know)

None of this is technically because of pregnancy but may cause further issues or a higher risk if pregnant, although some of those would come into force later in pregnancy. If you have a higher risk pregnancy things change again. What does this mean? Maybe a prior miscarriage or an already diagnosed condition such as placenta previa etc (although I think this is usually later on).

SO all in all there is a slightly higher risk albeit it is early pregnancy, you can help by being prepared and careful of your situation yourself but also bringing in others that can help if necessary. There is no clear outstanding increase in risk that says you should avoid this activity