Just over 6 weeks, bad nausea and sickness. Should I tell work?

[AZ1992X]

Hi ladies!

Looking for some advice/tips.

After a miscarriage and chemical last year I found out recently I’m pregnant and just over 6 weeks pregnant.

Im suffering with bad nausea (all day) and vomiting (not severe maybe 4 times a day at the minute spread throughout the day). I’ve been in bed pretty much all day since Friday as I feel worse getting up and about.

I took Friday off as sick as I knew I couldn’t get up to work. I’m worried I’ll feel like this for a while and unsure if to tell work this early especially considering prev miscarriage and not had no early scan yet.

It’s also not a good time as I’ve got a crucial few weeks at work.

I guess I’m just looking for some advice on what others would do / have done?

X

If it were me I would speak to your gp and discuss the options available to help with the nausea. Keep an eye on your fluid intake op as hyperemisis can make you feel really quite unwell if it continues. Yes I would inform your manager but ask them not to tell the whole work place at the moment. Don't be afraid to get signed off of work until this passes. Congratulations on your pregnancy.

I was in this position early December last year, I went to the GP for help and he gave me a month's sick note. I hadn't asked for that but I was extremely grateful as basically I was so unwell that month I couldn't have travelled to work or been any use. I just took the view mine and my baby's health was more important than work. I had to tell my manager about the pregnancy early at 7 weeks and I really didn't want to do that as I also had a MC before this, but she was very supportive and she kept the reason I was off to herself. I'd recommend seeing your GP, they may also prescribe medication to help with your sickness x

Thank you both.

I’ll try and get in touch with my GP this week and see if they can suggest anything to help with the nausea and if it continues maybe look at taking some time off work. Defo not the best time but you’re right my health’s more important.

I’ll try and have a discussion with my manager too but ask them to keep the reason quiet. Hoping they are supportive 🤞

I'm unexpectedly pregnant at 39. I told my employer at 7 weeks, currently I'm 9 weeks. I have been feeling pretty rough and my boss wants everyone back in the office. I told him to get some flexibility on that as I feel better at home and also as I've been having some early scans

Just to add I've not told anyone else at work, except 1 colleague I'm friends with. I've told both to keep it confidential

I am currently 12 weeks and told my manager at 6 weeks because I was in the same boat - horrendous nausea, vomiting around 6 times a day and generally feeling rotten. I'm so glad I did. She was able to subtly arrange cover for work I was struggling with due to my symptoms and I was able to WFH rather than struggle through a lengthy commute. If you have a good relationship with your manager I'd say go for it - it was a huge relief for me. I've not had my scan yet so I know there's still a risk something goes wrong and I'll have to tell her, but I don't regret it as I wouldn't have coped the past few weeks otherwise!

Also please do speak to your GP. They can prescribe things to help. I'm currently on cyclizine and although the nausea is still constant, it has stopped the vomiting and has allowed me to keep food and drink down.

Good luck xx

Depends on your work, but I got medication from the GP, told my manager and was allowed to work from home while it was bad.
This helped as I didn’t need to get up as early, could lie down at lunch, could eat ice lollies and sit near an open window for fresh air etc. None of that cured it of course, but not being able to do them because I was in the office would have made it worse.

I told my boss at 7 weeks as I felt unwell. I ended up in hospital in the end anyway so they would have found out at that point.

I wanted my boss to know in case of MC so that I wouldn't have to explain everything if I needed some time off.

You need to do what's best for you. Congratulations on your pregnancy.

I would ask the GP for anti sickness tablets. I had HG in my first pregnancy and didn't find they helped but I'm pregnant with my second and they have been working wonders! So definitely worth trying them.

You don't need to tell your manager but if you think you're going to need to take days off sick/get signed off or will need more breaks to go to the toilet etc then I would talk to them as if they know the sickness is pregnancy related it can't be used against you in anyway