Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Has anyone else been useless at work (WFH) since finding out they were pregnant?

17 replies

TalkLessSmileMore2 · 17/01/2024 11:28

I'm just wondering if anyone else has experienced this. I'm in the early weeks of a much wanted and long awaited first pregnancy. The problem is that I mostly WFH and have pretty much felt unable to focus on any work at all for the past week or so.

At first I was preoccupied with checking the lines, testing, looking at progression, because I couldn't quite believe it. I have since been spending time doing lots of researching - but also, frankly, a lot of time feeling a bit paralysed and unable to focus on my work tasks.

(I should probably say that I am on the waiting list for an ADHD assessment, which means a lot of this could be linked to that.) But, since finding out about pregnancy it's as though it's got even worse. I just feel like I need to get through each day, I am almost waiting for something to go wrong, and because of that waiting - I can't even focus on any work. It doesn't help that I am higher risk so I am fully aware of all the many things that could go wrong and lead to this pregnancy not progressing.

I have an early NHS scan booked in for a few weeks and if I am lucky enough to get that far I think it will only get even worse as scan day approaches!

I just feel that for the next eight weeks or so until my 13 week check, being pregnant, and hoping I am still pregnant, and worrying I might not be pregnant (etc!) is going to be the first/only thing on my mind all day.

Has anyone else experienced similar?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
YouveGotAFastCar · 17/01/2024 11:41

I had this. It didn't get better throughout pregnancy really. If/when I do it again, I'll try and be really firm with myself about concentrating more... It got worse for me as time went on. The early days felt like they couldn't get any worse but add in baby kicks and the like...

Can you go into the office? That might really help.

Judethepud · 17/01/2024 12:27

Yeah it was the same for me and then add in the sickness and tiredness until about 17 weeks I was pretty useless the first trimester. I'm in my 2nd trimester now and definitely not as bad as the first, a bit more engaged and happy to do work but I spoke to my sister about it and she said it gets even worse in the 3rd trimester lol

Whataretheodds · 17/01/2024 12:28

Yes, mainly because of nausea and tiredness in 1st trimester. Definitely try to get into the office more, or into a space where there are other people. Look up body doubling.

amyg1985 · 17/01/2024 12:29

I had the same as @Judethepud - second trimester (and after 20 week scan) was much better. I'm now 36 weeks and going on maternity leave next week. That's really made me focus to get everything handed over etc.

YouveGotAFastCar · 17/01/2024 13:13

Maybe I was lucky, I didn't get any tiredness or nausea! But I think the ADHD did really contribute to it taking over my thoughts.

Xur · 17/01/2024 13:18

Yes, luckily I’m on holiday now but the day before my scan I couldn’t even leave the bed. It’s like the brain changes and nothing else matters.

TalkLessSmileMore2 · 17/01/2024 16:56

Thanks all. Sadly they got rid of our office during lockdown and moved us all to WFH!
Gosh if I get as far as the scans I won’t even be able to do anything in the days running up to them. Even less than now!

I don’t think it helps that I haven’t got any symptoms yet (other than sore boobs) so I don’t really feel like anything is happening. Equally, if I did get symptoms I would then be worrying that it’s a MMC or similar.

I never thought it would be so stressful. It’s very peculiar.

I have only managed 1.5 hours today and that’s only because it was a mandatory team meeting on Zoom!

OP posts:
amyg1985 · 17/01/2024 17:00

I remember those days @TalkLessSmileMore2 - we did IVF after a long time trying and the first few weeks of pregnancy (up until we had a private scan) were the most stressful part. It is very difficult to distract yourself.

It does get better! Although I'm 36 weeks and not really sure I believe it.

Wishing you all the best for your pregnancy.

SarahB88 · 17/01/2024 17:37

ADHD here too. First trimester I was rubbish but now reality seems to have set in that I only have 3 months of work left and I’ve been in hyper focus mode. I’ve been so productive our director keeps making comments on how efficient I’ve become 🙈

Whataretheodds · 17/01/2024 20:10

Try virtual body-doubling - uou could external eg Flock (look it up) or find a like-minded colleague to help. Many of my colleagues do this through the I&D networks

RiderofRohan · 17/01/2024 20:18

Yes, I was useless up until 18 weeks. Due to fatigue and nausea. Then I was super productive for a couple months. Now I'm back to being brain fogged in the third trimester

Givemepickles · 17/01/2024 20:27

Yes I was the same in both pregnancies. I also wasn't great for the couple months I was back to work after mat leave before getting pregnant again because WFH and my baby being in nursery felt like that was the time to get all the things done I couldn't do for the last year with him around, like cooking his meals and cleaning the house. I find wfh very hard to stay disciplined and in pregnancy I can't resist a nap in the day when I'm exhausted. I really feel that from that first moment of pregnancy with my first my brain switched priorities and it's never gone back. Nothing but my children feels important anymore. I'm lucky I have such a kind employer quite honestly.

bravotango · 17/01/2024 20:31

It was absolutely the same for me - basically for my whole first trimester, then from about 32 weeks. I split the day into 45 min segments and allowed myself time little and often to Mumsnet/research/online shop - luckily it didn't affect my work overall but I was close!!

TTCSoManyQuestions88 · 17/01/2024 22:25

Omg I was about to start the same thread! Between googling pregnancy related things, waiting for my scan next week (I'm 6 weeks), the HORRIBLE nausea, the exhaustion, the painful bloat...I can't seem to do any work!!

HolyMoly24 · 17/01/2024 22:30

I'm definitely the same.

To be honest though I was the same in my last pregnancy when I was based in the office. Just totally mentally checked out of work. I'd be in a meeting in person but I'd be mentally packing my hospital bag.

I just think we are going to work practically the rest of our lives, surely we can be forgiven for these blips 😬

TalkLessSmileMore2 · 18/01/2024 13:43

It’s such a relief to hear I’m not the only one! I’ve been feeling a terrible guilt all week. My head simply isn’t in the game any more. The google and research addiction is real!

OP posts:
TalkLessSmileMore2 · 21/01/2024 19:00

Gah - I promised myself I'd do some work this weekend to catch up - but yesterday I was bone tired that I fell asleep at 9:30pm and today has been so grey and cold I haven't had the energy for it. 😣

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page