Guilt for calling in sick

[Macadamiabeat]

I'm 22 weeks pregnant and am feeling so exhausted. I'm waiting for a blood test to check my iron levels (I hit a couple of the markers for anaemia) , but working just drains me.

It's a desk based job so nothing strenuous, but writing a fairly simple email took me 45 minutes yesterday. I'm going to call in sick today but just feel so guilty for leaving my team short handed. I know what everyone will say, take care of yourself, this is far more important and I'm replaceable. But I just feel like I'm pushing my luck, I've already had quite a few days off during pregnancy, and know I'm legally protected.

I guess what I want/need is to be told it's OK!

I was signed off for four months in my last pregnancy. It’s true that you need to look after you. I was really unwell due to overwork and I couldn’t look after myself or my toddler. It was a nightmare. Please don’t overdo it. Take some time for you and your baby.

I was signed off for a month around 20 weeks due to low iron levels and generally being run down. The rest was the best thing for me and I returned as planned feeling a lot stronger and better.
Before I was signed off I was crying at the drop of a hat, very exhausted and just felt like I couldn’t cope. My iron levels were very low so once the iron tablets kicked in I started to feel a lot better albeit still had some of the of the pregnancy aches, pains and tiredness which is to be expected.

Do what’s best for you, work will carry on no matter if you’re there or not.

@Macadamiabeat I'm in the same position as you. I'm 13 weeks and have pushed myself through the first trimester. Luckily I often work from home so I was able to be sick between video calls without anyone seeing. We have a toddler too so my day is "part-time" work with no breaks then looking after her from mid afternoon. I've been really struggling and called in sick a few days back because I couldn't cope anymore. My iron is also low, but not so low (it says 11 in my book for my iron level, not sure what that exactly means). Now I feel super guilty for phoning in sick!

I've been signed off from 7 weeks and I'm not returning to work. As horrible as it sounds, they will cope. Look after yourself. Your body is currently rather busy and if you need some rest then that's what you should do.

Thanks all. That's definitely what I needed to hear, but sorry you all had to go through this.

@CycleGirl20 11 is very low, you're supposed to be about 120 I think. I'm on iron supplements and I've only dropped to 109!

I feel guilty too, OP. I’m only 6 weeks, called in sick yesterday but went in today because there was a big thing that needed doing (and my team is really short staffed at the moment due to 2 people being on long-term sick leave). It was a mistake - I felt horrendous all day and should have stayed home. Now I’m probably going to have call in sick tomorrow and feel guilty about it, but ultimately I have to put my baby first.

You don’t sound as if you was very productive yesterday so better to be off and recuperate and then be able to (hopefully) feel better and be productive than struggling on

@Ttcmumma I think mine is in Ng/ml so would be 11 rather than 110. Don't think it's too worrying

I have a 3 years baby boy. 5 months back I got pregnant when my first kid was 2.8yrs old. It is unplanned and we were not ready for this as we stay alone outside. So, we aborted in 5th week of pregnancy. Then suddenly I felt bad, guilty, anxious. Everyday I feel panic attack. Then I thought to plan for kid and this is the only way I can fix my self. We are trying since last 4 months. But till now no luck. Every day I feel bad, anxious. I am already in mental depression. And also as I have failed 4 types, I met with doctor. Now, ovulation induction is going on. My age is 30. What I did is that wrong? Please advice me. Is something I did bad and due to that I am suffering now? I the only one suffering in my family. Rest all are happy with my 1 kid now. I am only crying every time. Kindly advice.

OP, don't feel guilty.

I'm currently 19 weeks with a 21 month old too. I've been exhausted and ignored it for weeks, now I'm off work for the second week and on antibiotics for an infection that ordinarily I'd have just brushed off. I should have listened to my body earlier. You're doing the right thing by listening to your instincts. Take care of yourself and your baby, that's way more important than any other job.

Thanks. You aborted on which month? And why sudden you decided for abortion? Sorry for asking.