Time off work in pregnancy

[Laurenn86]

Sorry if this is a silly question, but tend to doubt myself.

I'm feeling like I might need to take a week or so off of work due to pregnancy symptoms, nausea, exhaustion and most significantly, low mood. Everything is getting on top of me at the moment and I feel like i'm not coping very well. I'm currently 10 weeks, and have a really stressful/demanding job that is poorly managed.

The reason I'm reluctant to take the time is because i'm worried that later in the pregnancy I might need more time off should anything arise, and of course I'm not sure how I will feel then. If you have too many periods of sick leave in a 6 month period it gets scrutinised. Also, I feel bad about myself for not coping when women do this all the time, seemingly without fuss.

Would you take the time now? Or suck it up and just get on with it? What are the chances I will feel worse later in pregnancy?

Pregnancy related sickness cannot be counted as part of disciplinary records.

If you don't feel well call in sick but you need to record it as pregnancy related.

Pregnancy related absence can't be held against you so it depends how the sickness absence is recorded

I had no idea that was the case, thank you. That's helpful to know

Don’t bother comparing yourself to other women. Some people are on bed rest in pregnancy (placenta previa) or on a drip(hg) and others run marathons. Just like women who say ‘Periods don’t affect me’ while other women are in agony and puking.

Just take the time off and do something you enjoy to lift mood.(Unless you’re a heart surgeon or something😂). A few more weeks and you should feel better.

If you need the time off, take it. If it makes you feel better I remember 10 weeks being the peak of nausea/sickness for me, it got much better after that :)
Congratulations on the pregnancy and hope you feel better soon!

Worth talking to your midwife or GP about your low mood OP, you don't have to deal with that on your own. Use the help that's available to you and talk things through.
This time of year is rough even without pregnancy to contend with.
Hope 2nd trimester is brighter for you, you're nearly there

Pregnancy can be rough physically or mentally or both! There are no gold medals for suffering so you do what is best for you and your body and mind. As others have said - pregnancy related sickness can not be held against you & is completely seperate from regular.

I was bed bound with first during first trimester but kept pushing through and just thought it was part of pregnancy - turns out it was not normal and was HG! Which I only came to find out during this second pregnancy as I was bed bound again but completely floored me worse than first. Knew better so got support from docs & was signed off for 6-7 weeks. Manager didn’t like it and was so dismissive but he’s a complete arse at the best of times & a complete bully so didn’t surprise me. Was more stress than need! Freelance clients are more understanding thankfully!

good luck hope jt settles soon for you!

As others have said, as long as it's recorded as pregnancy related they cannot use it towards any disciplinary process, your GP should be able to include this on your sick note.
I was signed off for 2-3 months with HG and even then when I did go back it was on reduced hours/WFH. You have nothing to feel guilty about, take the time if you need it. I have great bosses and have worked there for 10 years so they knew I wasn't taking the piss but even if they are funny with you, it's their problem not yours.

I didn’t take the time I needed in the first trimester and regretted it. I remember sitting on the bedroom floor crying out of exhaustion but still going into work. If you quit your job tomorrow they would find a replacement and not give you a second thought. Do what is best for you.