Time off work!

[Ang25]

Hi fellow moms to be/moms already.
I have been really struggling with pregnancy symptoms since 6 weeks.. the Dr gave me a note for 2 weeks off, then another 2 weeks which will bring me to the end of this week.
I work for the NHS in a hospital on a very busy ward, on my feet all day and atm I can barely manage getting out of bed some days let alone a 12.5 hour shift.. I am starting to feel very guilty about not being at work and also very worried too.. but the thought of long days is reducing me to tears..
Should I ask the Dr for another 2 weeks? I really don't know what to do?
Any help/advice would be mostly appreciated. I really don't want to get penalised for being off for so long 😫
Thanks for reading ❤️

You need to have a conversation with your manager about how tired you are and ask for different shift pattern whilst you feel like this. She should have done a risk assessment as soon as you told her about pregnancy and that had some questions about whether any adjustments are needed.

I work in a hospital too and do the long shifts so now how you feel!

My baby was positioned with his back to mine so essentially his spine was rubbing against mine and to say it was painful was an understatement! My GP was really supportive and did me a letter asking my employer to review my hours. I sat down with my ward manager and matron and discussed a solution. They found me an office to sit in and I did administrative work for some of the senior teams and did 37 hours over the course of 7 days so I'd still work some weekends to keep my enhancements and time off in the week too.

Hope you find a solution OP x

This 100%. You can't be off sick for the whole pregnancy but your shifts and duties need to be re-assessed.

Take the time you need now a the same at the beginning I’m now 31 weeks and my body just can’t handle work no more I’m at the point were but 3-4 hours into my shift I can nearly walk and I come home crying because it’s taking such a tole on my body..

luckly I only have 10 more shifts at work but even that is makeing me so upset and it’s along time when your not well so my advice would be take the extra 2 weeks if you need it I know you feel bad but you don’t get any medals for working yourself into ground xx

Thanks for your reply ladies!
I will get in touch with my manager to see if I can do anything else.. the only problem is I already do set shifts as I have a 22 month old. So it would be difficult with Childcare.. feel stuck between a rock and a hard place atm!
Nightmare

I work in the NHS and I had to be signed off from 9-19 weeks with sickness. Having never had a sick day in 15 years!
I know you feel so guilty but you really shouldn't and I can see that now regarding my own sick leave. If you're not well enough to work, you can't go to work. It's not your fault. Pregnancy related sickness is recorded separately from other kinds of sick leave so you cannot be penalised in any way for having multiple episodes or extended periods of sickness.
Hope you feel better soon.