Feeling guilty for calling in sick

[CrazyCatMom]

I’m 7+3 today, was hospitalised Friday night with a severe UTI (abdo pain, back pain, stings when I wee) and vomiting (++ ketones in my urine). Was discharged Saturday afternoon with nitrofurantoin and oral cyclizine. I spent most of yesterday sleeping and just couldn’t bring myself to go to work today.

I work from home but I was so drained when my alarm went off this morning I just couldn’t face it - have thankfully only been sick once today (hopefully cyclizine is working) but I’m so drowsy I don’t know how I could concentrate.

now got awful guilt for letting my team down 🫠 I know pregnancy isn’t an illness so I feel like I shouldn’t be taking sick leave because of it

You are not well enough to work. No need for guilt

Be kind to yourself

No, pregnancy itself isn't an illness but I can cause very serious illnesses - as you know! You have absolutely nothing to feel guilty about. Take all the time you need, prioritise yourself and your baby, and don't give work another thought. Hope you feel better soon

Just because it's "only pregnancy" it doesn't negate the fact that you're not well enough to work. Don't feel bad and stress yourself out over this.

Regardless of pregnancy, you were HOSPITALISED and only discharged on Saturday PM.

You're not well enough to work. That's what sick leave is for.

You was hospitalised with a severe UTI. You’re not calling in sick because of pregnancy you’re calling in sick as you’re very poorly! If you wasn’t pregnant you would still be calling in sick.

even if you was calling in sick purely because of pregnancy issues then it’s allowed. You’ve got to look after yourself. Baby will be fine in there but you’ve got to look after you.

Don't feel bad about it, you are pregnant and unwell. Your health and taking care of your unborn baby are your top priorities.

Thanks everyone. I decided not to go into work today either.

Have just had my mom on the phone telling me that pregnancy is a condition, not an illness and to pull myself together after seeing my car on the drive this morning.

Apparently she still thinks I’m 12 years old trying to pull a sicky rather than a married, 27 year old midwife (quite how she thinks she has a better knowledge of pregnancy than me I don’t know.)

Ignore your mum, she sounds horrible.

As a midwife, what would you tell one of your ladies in your position? I bet it would be to rest, take time off and get better.

Nobody will thank you for pushing yourself to get in to work and nobody else will put you and your baby first- that's up to you.

I took 6 weeks off with morning sickness in the first trimester so I think you'll be fine having one day off!