First trimester - teachers

[QueenOfWeeds]

I’m really struggling with the combination of end of term teacher tired, and first trimester tired! I’ve told SLT, but still only 8 weeks and so not ready to tell my direct colleagues which makes it hard to avoid certain things, and lots of the anti-nausea advice (eg grazing throughout the day) just isn’t practical. I’m just glad the heat from the other week has broken!

Any tips for surviving?

Can you discretely nibble on dry biscuits? I was Early Years and moving about so I could do it. Harder if you are Secondary though.

Do what you need to do. I absolutely did eat my way through class!

Have you had an Occupational Health referral made yet? Enquire about it if not. They will make sure that suitable provision is made and you can request more frequent breaks if necessary, even if just five minutes here and there to munch on something! I feel for you. I'm further along but it's tough, particularly in those early days.

Thanks - maybe I just need to be more upfront about stuff. I’ve been so worried about people not finding out.

This level of tiredness is absurd though! Can’t wait for the summer holidays when I can nap every day.

I know the feeling. I'm 25 weeks now. Have had a couple of days off and a few mornings due to sickness. Had some mornings with my head in the bin in the office next to the classroom. Just do what you can. I always managed better by snacking on biscuits as soon as i felt nauseous. I also now get really hot easily which can make me sick so I've bought a handheld fan which helps!

Yes - have a fan for my commute which has been brilliant. We already have fans in the classroom - might relocate one.

Completely agree with everyone who said eat anyway. I stashed ginger nuts in my desk and tried to eat them between lessons, but if I was feeling a wave of nausea I ate one anyway.

I found the ‘spritz for nausea’ spray useful as well.

Don’t feel bad if you need a couple of days off though, you can always tell colleagues it is a stomach bug and just let HR know it is pregnancy-related. Don’t think you have to soldier on until summer if not coping!

I would just tell them. I had to tell my work by 8 weeks each time because I was vomiting so much and needed to be moved to a classroom by the loos. The pregnancy I lost, I again told them because I was signed off and the sick note said 'miscarriage'. It's a lot easier when everyone knows what's happening and you can have appropriate support. You don't need to do a big announcement to everyone - just let the key people know and tell them you'd rather it was kept quiet for now but you do need help with X, Y and Z.

I’m now almost 15 weeks but I remember how horrible it was when I hadn’t told work. I would agree with the advice to just eat anyway! I had snacks all around my classroom and just ate as and when I needed to. I also found mint imperials worked quite well and that was a bit more subtle so might work for you? Good luck, I’m joining you in counting down to the summer holidays!

I made up a box of trail mix (sunflower seeds,nuts, raisins, chocolate drops etc) that sat on my desk. I just took a handful of that every time I passed my desk.
Easier than biscuits because you can just take a tiny amount at a time and not have to stuff your face!

Grazing is definitely doable, pop some bits in your desk. Otherwise, just feel lucky the summer is around the corner! You'll feel better at the start of term

Just wanted to say as well that ‘not telling’ is completely fine if it’s your personal view and working for you, but if it would help you to tell your TA/close colleagues then do. It’s not a hard written rule. As I was very unwell I always had to tell my colleagues very very early. I took medication (that is an option!) and had time off and a part time timetable for a period too. It’s okay for you to do what you need to in order to look after yourself. Please do what works for you!

Thanks - lots to think about. I’m effectively PPA cover at the moment which makes it difficult because I’d be telling staff across 4 or 5 classes, and might as well just tell everyone at that point! I completely agree with wanting support if something goes wrong - but I’m so anxious about tempting fate.

Will definitely graze more, and I’ve found today that a little carton of fruit juice worked quite well.

Oh yes. Fizzy pop helped me loads. Before I was pregnant I loved 7up free. I now need full fat fanta orange. I find that helps with the nausea too. 3 more weeks to go!

I personally wouldn't feel obliged to tell anyone - I am certainly not, haven't even told SLT yet. Just keep some crackers and rich tea biscuits on you if you're moving from room to room and do what you can. It's the end of the year, everyone has so much going on and it is so exhausting.

I keep a small bag of almonds in my bag and take a few in my hand when they are writing I munch on them. I've been doing this for a few weeks and none of the pupils have said anything!

I told my line managers at 4 weeks because I couldn't carry my teacher box from class to class and climb up and down stairs all day so they got me a trolley and lift pass. Helped a lot.

Congratulations 🎊
I've been off this week with covid and found out that we are 5 weeks, I'm now not knowing what is exhaustion from covid or pregnancy, I'm absolutely exhausted dreading going back for the last week and a half x

I kept a packet of biscuits in the cupboard and had a discreet nibble every so often!

@Soapie19 😱 you poor thing! That sounds horrific. Hope you feel better soon.

Hopefully next week will be quieter for me than this week. We’re a no-nuts school, but have been nibbling on dry cereal instead. Why can’t I crave salads and fruit?!