Maternity advice

[lmac1]

Hi, I am currently in my 2nd trimester but really struggling with pain/fatigue (have fibromyalgia also). I work in a desk based role so not physically demanding. My plan was to finish up 2 weeks before due date and use annual leave prior to this. Was just looking for advice on anyones personal experience and how this worked out for them?

Could you talk to your employer about WFH? I know some people do finish earlier using annual leave but most want to take this later when you're baby is here.

If medically unfit and struggling, could the doctor provide a sicknote?

I am in the second trimester and also struggling massively but thankfully self employed so can be flexible with what I do and when. I'm having to have a 2 hour daily nap at the moment just so I have the slightest bit of energy for DD1 coming home from school.

I did this with both my babies. I had a dream pregnancy first time round, second time I had terrible pain, fatigue and sickness right up to the end and it was a hard slog working up to 38 weeks. I worked from home so I would set up the laptop on the sofa and didn’t have to move much. Do you have to travel far for work? Both mine were born at 40 weeks so I still had a decent amount of time off before baby arrived. Are you thinking you might like to go earlier?

I currently WFH already and my employer has been amazing in doing what they can to help me - I am just starting to feel like I am being a nuisance 🙈 it is my first pregnancy so it is all new to me lol I may have to have a section due to ongoing health complications but nothing has been decided 100% yet so unsure if it would benefit me to just bite the bullet and take more time off before little one is here if that makes sense

In your situation, I'd be asking my GP to sign me off on sick leave. If you're on good terms with your employer/manager you could discuss. They might perfer to have you working, albeit from home.

OP I've just had my second baby via c section and have fibromyalgia - with my first I worked right up until the week before the birth in a non WFH desk based role and regretted it terribly (exhausted for birth) but this time around I took my mat leave a full month before due date as I felt I just couldn't manage without a rest first. Current job is a WFH desk job. I personally felt so much more able to cope with the fatigue and pain even with the section because I was able to pace myself in preparation.

Wishing you all the best.

Thanks so much for everyone’s advice it is much appreciated! @Mmmbop23 I am thinking of doing 3 weeks maternity plus my 5 weeks annual leave and really hoping that it all works out ☺️

@lmac1 how has your fibromyalgia been during pregnancy? I was lucky after birth to get a little respite but it's got worse again since I stopped breastfeeding. For me I know hormones have a huge impact on my symptoms.

@Mmmbop23 my pain has defo been heightened having to see physio/wear support belts and the exhaustion is on a complete other level has just been like a constant flare but I am hoping it will ease once baby is here ☺️