Teaching when pregnant

[Fredthefish]

I’m 6 weeks pregnant and finding it so difficult - I already don’t know how I’m going to make it to mat leave!
I’m so tired and keep crying 🤦🏼‍♀️ Not to mention feeling sick all the time.
Any tips on how to survive? What did you do to get through it?

Itll get easier in the second trimester. Use those weeks to sort your house, fill your freezer and get ahead with any school admin. If you know ypu have report cards or whatever in your third trimester then write loads of notes in word to ease the hassle down the line.

The tiredness will disappear before you reach the end of the first trimester and probably won't return until 26/28 weeks.

I’m 31 weeks and honestly the start was the hardest part!!!! It’s not the same all the way through (it hasn’t been for me in any case). I look back and think I don’t know how I made it to 4 months. Weeks 6-16 were very hard; I felt horrendous! After that it got much much better, more energy, less nausea etc. I think aswell as you get further along, things become more ‘certain’ and get your head around it, and start organising things- this also helps. I’m quite enjoying the last part so do hang in there! Congrats xo

The start is really the hardest part (apart from the very end 🤪), I’m 8 weeks and I’m home with my other kids which is hard but I can’t imagine having to stand up and teach a class feeling like this. Take snacks, rest when you can and don’t worry it’ll pass

Second trimester is the best!
You'll more likely feel better from week 10 as the placenta takes over, baby taking everything from just your atm!
Congrats

Thanks for your replies @coodawoodashooda @mummyh2016 I hope your right and I’m less tired!

@sjxoxo did you do anything in the first few months to get through? I’ve had to tell my HOD and had to have cover during P5 for two days because I was so tired and emotional that I couldn’t teach.

@Fredthefish no I struggled through- if you need time off I would ask for it. My job is not as restrictive as yours so I can sort of manage my surroundings easier & plan tasks myself so I don’t always have to be stood up or have a manic day etc. If you are finding it impossible deffo take some time off! Try & rest asking as you can; I emptied my life of everything other than work pretty much so weekends were totally selfish downtime & I could rest and relax. Take a good prenatal multi vitamin if you aren’t already, and try and eat well- little & often is key! Xo

I found putting my head down on my desk and having a ten minute cat nap helped with the fatigue.

@Fredthefish

Thanks for your replies *@coodawoodashooda* *@mummyh2016* I hope your right and I’m less tired!

@sjxoxo did you do anything in the first few months to get through? I’ve had to tell my HOD and had to have cover during P5 for two days because I was so tired and emotional that I couldn’t teach.

Try your best to manage. You want to save favor for the end of your pregnancy when you are absolutely knackered. Pack your hospital bag before you think you should. Use the 2 nd trimester to look ahead and get your shit together. I still do this. Im going to all but write my report cards soon. I wont tell a soul but i know my class and will have notex that make report writing easy. Or birthdaya or whatever.

I've had a truly horrific pregnancy and luckily my school have been so understanding! I'm actually signed off this week (for the 2nd time!). It got a bit easier in the 2nd trimester and once the kids knew because they all became lovely and kind. I'm back next Tuesday and then need to limp to the end of term..

When I was pregnant with my second I really struggled in the first trimester. I would be lying down on my sofa from 5.30pm and take myself off to bed the minute DH came in at 6.30pm. It was much easier in the second trimester.

I'm a teacher and ended up with a 4 week sick note from 8-12 weeks. I was so sick and nauseous all the time. felt so crappy in general and just couldn't manage. Didn't feel I was doing my job well as I was so knackered and ill. It was honestly the best thing I did. And I hate having time off sick I never do it. But honestly it's the time you need to put yourself and your baby first. Get signed off til Christmas and by the time you're back you'll be hopefully feeling a bit more normal xx

It’s pretty grim! I got pregnant in Feb, just in time to lead my department through the horrors of TAG grades. At my school we start work really early (7ish), so I’d get in, vomit, change my knickers (for some reason always necessary) and then try to get through each day one at a time. I’m not going to lie, it was absolutely miserable for a few months.

But, with the help of a few sick days, I survived, and second trimester was much better. Third has been a bit miserable but work has actually taken my mind off it and made it a bit more bearable.

If you’re really sick OP there are safe medications your dr can give you to help. And remember you can still have one coffee per day!

I used to sleep on the sofa as soon as I got in from school. I'd stir for dinner and then go to bed. The first few weeks are exhausting but as others said, it does get easier.

And of course, all that exhaustion is just to prepare you for when the baby is here 😉

I am a teacher too, and I have just been signed off til Christmas (8 weeks today) because like you, I feel awful, kept crying and was just so tired and nauseous. I feel bad for the school but honestly it is so worth it!

I also want to say please don't worry about sick days or being signed off! The school will function without you and your baby needs you more. I hugely struggled with taking time off but all I have had from colleagues/parents/students is support.

I'm a teacher and have been signed off for a month. Do what you need to do for you and the baby. I think we always feel far more guilty than most other professions at taking time off, but, really, it's just a job. Your sanity, health etc. are more important.

Thank you so much all of you for your replies!
My school have been brilliant and I’ve had cover P5 for two days this last week. They said they’d rather I taught 4 periods and had to get cover a few times for the odd lesson than be off sick.

@Amijustagrump I hope you can limp as long as you need to! Good luck!

@gcat16 @ImmyMc how many weeks were when you get signed off? What did you say to dr? I’m worried they will say it’s just part of being pregnant!

I was signed off at 50% for three weeks when I was 5 weeks and I've been signed off for 5 weeks at 100% now I am 29 weeks.

I've been signed off for 5 weeks at 8 weeks pregnant. But the behaviour at my school is also awful and kids go round throwing things and punching walls and doors so I also didn't feel very safe.

@ImmyMc I'm also 29 weeks but my doctor won't sign me off for any longer he basically said "that's pregnancy.." despite the fact I am exhausted and anaemic and can hardly function! I'm very jealous of you..

@Amijustagrump Get a new doctor (a female one). That's an outrageous thing for him to say. When was the last time he was pregnant?!

I got signed off for a few weeks and then basically grazed my way through all my lessons, eating whenever I felt sick. It was either that or be at home

I'm a teacher too and I just "powered through" as I didn't want to tell them too soon. I honestly wish I hadn't, I'm 14 weeks now and told them last week. I had my risk assessment and honestly the stuff they put in place for you is amazing. Extra toilet breaks, somewhere quiet to lie down if you need to etc. I know you are early but if you do let your SLT line manager know they can support you, especially with the sickness. It's tough trying to hide how awful you feel, especially in secondary as I'm like 99% sure the kids already know but don't want to offend me 😂