Taking time off new job for pregnancy

[esgill]

I started a new job in early January, and then last week found out I am pregnant (then 5 weeks, now 6...). I found out as I have been feeling absolutely retched: vomiting, unable to keep down food, nausea, extreme fatigue (sleeping 4+ hours during daytime naps) and the worst brain fog. I went to work on Friday despite feeling terrible and my work is quite cerebrally demanding so I achieved little. On Monday, I felt so bad that I had to leave early, and I was worried it was ectopic given the sickness. Went to the hospital and all is okay thankfully,

It's 10.20 and I woke up at 8 am this morning to go to work but I just couldn't. I had to write in sick again. I am yawning like crazy and so tired, I feel ready to take another nap. It's my 4th day off and I feel bad as I've only been here a short while. HR are being v nice but I can tell my manager is starting to feel a bit impatient by this. I am meant to log sickness with her and with the shared platform but tbh mornings are the worst and I feel I just need to hanker down for a few days/weeks and sleep.

Does this get better? Or should I quit the job to not let them down?

Have you told work you're pregnant? You are then protected. I would just try and stick with it when you can and hopefully you feel better in the second trimester! My first pregnancy was hell and I felt awful but pushing myself to go to work didn't help at all

Even if you tell then you have to follow procedure. If you haven't then it can be gross misconduct and dismissal.

Yes I've told them HR were nice but I'm not sure how much they can really do? I read I'm protected but I'm on probation so a little worried.

I am following the procedure. I'm just wondering how long i can reasonably take off before it would be better to quit. I feel so awful and really worry this is me for the next few weeks/month.

I am meant to log sickness

Sorry I read this as you were meant to log it but you hadn't.

I wouldn't quit I'd just keep going and hope you'll feel better in the second/third trimester

I nearly did the same as you but by 15 weeks was able to go in most of the time. By 30 weeks I was on reduced duties and I finished at 35 weeks. Just keep talking to hr and acknowledge you're finding it tough. And never be worried about being signed off if you need. Hugs xx

Thanks for your message. I'm still likely unable to go in from Monday. Any tips? I know I'll have to get a doctor's note, but at this rate I'll be off ill for as long as I have been a member of staff, if not longer!

Pregnancy sickness won’t count towards your record of absence nor can it be used in any absence management procedures. Through telling them you are pregnant you have really secured yourself and are unlikely to fail probation without really justifiable cause and this can’t be that you missed too much work. If you are out a lot they may extend probation though.

This is my experience anyway as I have worked as a HR Manager for along time in both public and private sector.

Only tip is make sure you say "pregnancy related" not just you feel ill/exhausted whatever you make sure it's recorded correctly and to get the protection

I wouldn't quit based on how you feel now. At 5 weeks pregnant I had a week off work as I felt awful with nausea starting and literally spent the whole week on the sofa napping on and off. I've had the nausea and sickness for a good few weeks after that but found as long as I got enough sleep at night and ate every 1.5-2 hours it was relatively manageable in the sense of not being sick everyday. I know its awful but you just have to do what you need to do now and it does get better eventually. I'm 17 weeks now, the nausea hasn't completely gone but is only very faint now and I haven't actually thrown up in a couple of weeks now and I don't feel the need to have daily naps anymore, maybe just once a week I'll feel I need a nap.