Early morning sickness and work

[broccolii]

Hi,
I'm very early in pregnancy, around 5-6 weeks and already suffering very badly with sickness. I had hyperemesis in previously pregnancies and my last one I spent over half the pregnancy signed off work as I was so ill.

Unfortunately I've made the decision that I cannot continue with this pregnancy (waiting for coil fitting, admittedly irresponsible with protection/alcohol involved, and morning after pill failed). Apart from not being able to go through another pregnancy with hyperemesis I've also got some other health conditions...

Surgical is booked for around 2 weeks time, I'm having the coil fitted at the same time.

My problem is I'm so ill and vomiting, I work full time and I'm struggling.

I was planning on taking a few days annual leave for the procedure and not to tell my boss. But I can't see how I will get through the next couple of weeks and I may need time off.

I feel I will get judged telling my boss I am pregnant and ill but will be having an abortion.

I am on an attendance management plan due to other absences related to one of my other health conditions, and I know that pregnancy related illness would be protected from being counted towards that procedure.

I feel stuck between a rock and a hard place because I don't want work knowing my business, it's hard enough as it is and I'm very upset about it.

Any advice on what other people do in this scenario?

Sorry to hear this, I really feel for you and completely understand your decision (I have severe HG and could never do this again). If this was me, I would either tell my manager about the pregnancy and get a fit note for the pregnancy sickness. Then if you need further time off following the termination you can ask your GP to write “pregnancy loss” on the fit note - your employer wouldn’t need to know the details. Or I would be completely honest and tell them exactly what’s going on. If they were your employer during your last pregnancy, they would understand as they’d know how much time you needed off. It depends how comfortable you are with them. I understand feeling judged but it’s 2024 and under no circumstances could they say anything negative/bad about it. What is your gut telling you?