Getting signed off

[preggegg]

I’ve had an awful pregnancy so far with hyperemesis. Was admitted for fluids previously too in earlier pregnancy.
im now coming to the end of my second trimester and my sickness has come back and is making my life miserable.

Now it’s a combination of sickness,
not being able to sleep properly and getting sometimes excruciating round ligament pain, I just don’t know how I can keep working like this.

In the beginning I felt like the thought of “I’m sure I’ll be better after the second trimester” kept me going, but now I am really struggling.

I’ve never been signed off before or got a GP sick note before, is this the type of thing they would be able to help with?

Have you discussed this with your MW?

Because, leaving work to one side for the moment, it sounds as though you might need interventions again and they will be able to recommend what's best and get you seen. And then take it from there.

Yes, you may need to be signed off until issues are resolved or managed, and this could be GP. But that's as well as, not instead of, seeing if there are other interventions

And going forward, you'll need an Occy Health assessment at work for suitable adjustments (eg longer breaks, better ergonomics, lighter duties)

My sickness has come back in my third trimester. I’m actually going to start mat leave early by taking 3 weeks of holiday to help my symptoms. If you get signed off at a certain point it triggers your mat leave to start anyway but I can’t remember when it is so best to check your maternity policy.

I'd speak to your midwife or GP to see if you need more support medically. Bear in mind that if you are on sick leave in the 4 weeks before your due date, normally your maternity leave would be started early.

Thanks for the replies.

I am already on three different anti-sickness meds I’m not sure they can do much more to help me.

I plan on taking early maternity leave because of how rotten I’m feeling but that’s another month away :(