Taking time off work for fatigue - 22 weeks

[Flibbyjibby]

So after days of feeling absolutely drained I called in sick at work today.
I am so tired all the time and last night I got absolutely no sleep because I was worrying about having to go into work tired again and struggle through another day!

I came back from maternity leave a few months ago and to be honest, I am really struggling with going to work and then coming home to a baby to care for. Without giving too much away, my job doesn’t have enough time in the working day to do everything that is required and I used to find myself working in the evenings quite often (it’s almost expected in my field). I can’t do that any more due to baby and this second pregnancy draining me, so I feel like I am falling behind at work and this is causing me stress and lack of sleep!

I felt so tired this morning that the morning sickness returned despite not having it for weeks now.

The problem is that I can’t shake the guilty feeling that I am “not really ill”. Please tell me I am not the only one who has taken time off to recover from fatigue in pregnancy?

@Flibbyjibby No, you're not the only one! Currently 26 weeks and had to take a few days off last week with exhaustion. Dropped DS (who is 2) in nursery and spent the days in bed. Felt so much better for it - after I got over the guilt that I'd left my team to pick up my work.

Take the time off if you need it, your body is clearly telling to take a break.

@Beth262 Thanks! Glad to know I am not the only one! I never felt this exhausted with baby no.1 so this has been a bit of a shock to the system! Perhaps it’s just because I have a 15mo to look after now too!

Oh bless you! Go easy on yourself. I'm 22 weeks (23 tomorrow) and feeling absolutely exhausted as well and I don't have a 15mo to look after!No harm in taking a day off to rest, and chances are you'll be a bit more productive if you allow yourself time to build up some energy so work should be open to the idea 😃

I was the same about 22 weeks! I took a week off to work and slept for the whole thing. The exhaustion is real! I was a new person after it and more able for work after taking a proper rest.