Morning sickness and full time job - advice please

[DWSDB]

I am currently experiencing exhaustion and dizziness most days and sickness every few days. I am miserable and have told those I am close to a work. I have probably been okay for 1/4 of the time since 5 weeks.

I work doing 1-1 work with vulnerable children where I drive between appointments. I keep having to go home because I feel so poorly and cancelling and I feel so bad. My midwife offered to sign me off work but I feel like I’m letting people down.

if I’m honest I feel like I am taking the piss because some days I am absolutely fine but others I am on my arse.

can anyone relate or give me advice of what to do? Did you take the note or did you suck it up and deal with it?

@DWSDB Sorry you're feeling miserable. My advice is to take the note. The type of work you do is really hard with sickness. Plus, from a management point of view it's probably easier to deal with your workload if you're off sick fully rather than cancelling appointments at short notice.

Most exhaustion and sickness stops by the start of the second trimester so you won't be off for that long.

You have my full sympathy. I luckily have a sympathetic manager and a job where I can mainly work from home. I remember counting my blessings in the first 12 weeks that I didn’t work a job that demanded me to be ‘present’ eight hours a day. I couldn’t have done it.

If I was you I would get signed off. You may feel a bit better in two or three weeks, but there’s no point struggling and exhausting yourself now.

You have a genuine reason to take sick leave; pregnancy is making you sick. It sounds like it’s very unlike you to have a day off, given how guilty you feel now, so remember it’s give and take with an employer. You give 100% when you’re able, but in return they should allow you to care for yourself when you’re not.

@DWSDB There are many of us in the same boat and it’s really hard so try not to beat yourself up I’m sure you’re doing all that you can. The exhaustion and sickness is debilitating and can feel like absolute hell at times. Remind yourself that it’s temporary, and I were you I would get signed off. Your health and the baby’s health are way more important than work. The fact that you feel like you’re letting people down means that you care and that’s a good thing. It will get better I promise.

@DWSDB that should say “if I were you”

Take the sick leave.
If anything, knowing you'll be off for a few weeks with a sick note is probably going to be less inconvient for everyone than going home unexpectedly some days? As cover can be arranged/things rearranged in advance.

Also speak to your gp about medication. Cyclizine was an absolute game changer for me.

Have you asked for any anti sickness? It took me 4 different types but eventually found one that has totally changed my life and I'm finally not struggling anymore (at 36 weeks!)

Thanks so much everyone I feel better that I have some validation 😂 just thought everyone would think I was making excuses not to work! I ended up calling today and taken an initial week. I’m ten weeks so fingers crossed it’ll settle down soon!

I’ve not been offered anti sickness @scrantonelectriccity because I don’t think I’m sick enough to have them because it’s not daily but will defo keep it in mind!

thanks so so much🥹❤️

I took 9 weeks sick in my first trimester with my DC2 (31 weeks now). Doctor gave me cyclazine. What a god send. Take the sick leave.

Also, I wasn’t sick at all. Cyclazine is anti nausea and sickness, vertigo medication. I take it as and when needed. Even still at 31 weeks!

I’m 10 weeks as-well and in a similar position! I had hypremisis (however you spell it) with both previous pregnancies so was terrified for this one and got anti sickness meds before it kicked in. Luckily I don’t have HG this time but get days where the sickness is unbearable. I have found the lemon san pellegrino really helps so I take one with me everytime I leave the house. I’m self employed so can’t take time off work but you absolutely should! I really sympathise with you!

get into the doctor and get those sickness meds. You may have to dramatise it abit unless your vomiting a large amount 💜