First trimester symptoms and work - what to do?

[Englishrose35]

Hi all,

First time posting on pregnancy board! I'm around 8wks with an IVF pregnancy. I'm very anxious and so far have been on prebooked annual leave over the holidays.

I've not had an nausea or vomiting but it has been tough - I've had intermittent bleeding and light cramps. The bleeding has been stressful but our early scan showed heartbeat and a Subchorionic haematoma which is probably cause. I've been really fatigued sleeping like 10-12 hours!!

I'm due back at work tomorrow and work in the NHS. I feel like I still need abit of time especially with the bleeding as it is so stop/start and I'm so scared of it getting worse at work. I've also not had a risk assessment yet though I've emailed to get this arranged.

I feel bad if I call in sick (as I'm not keeled over vomiting or anything) but I'm really worried about the bleeding, and tiredness. I'm also getting palpitations but I don't know if it's just because I'm worried.

What would you do? Any advice? - I also am so worried as this is my first pregnancy and via IVF so want to be extra careful.

Thank you

Anyone?

Can you tell your line manager? This is what I did. You’re entitled to sick leave that is pregnancy related and it shouldn’t count towards your normal sick leave allowance but this will only be if you tell someone.

Definitely call in sick.. you need to prioritise yourself and your baby and your wellbeing. We are all only a number at work at the end of the day and this is so much more important. I would call your gp and get a sick note. You don’t have to get into long conversations about it with your manager.

and don’t feel one bit guilty. People ring in sick all the time for silly reasons. You have good reasons for calling in sick. Do you have any other appointments or scans coming up soon ?

Fellow healthcare worker here. I had first trimester bleeding on my 2nd pregnancy so I understand that. My only advice would be that pregnancy is very very long, the first trimester in particular goes by slowly, and sometimes extra time to sit around and worry is not your friend. I always found it easier in work passing the time distracted and knowing I could go home sick if I had bleeding etc.

When I had a bleed it was on my day off, I let my manager know when I came back to work and he told me there and then I can go home and take the week off if I want. Since then, I've been very ill with nausea and fatigue and have decided to take a few more days/week or 2 off. We've been trying for this baby for a long time, and the bleeding already set me on edge. I work in a warehouse, so very physically demanding even on lighter duties, so I want to be as careful as possible. I feel guilty being off but at the end of the day I just want to do what's best for me and the little one.

@Firstrodeo1 thank you. I've emailed them to inform them and ask about risk assessment. I also told them about IVF so hoping they will understand

@Cornflakes123
Thanks for the response. I feel like I don't want to jepordise things at the moment especially with the bleeding being on and off. I know we saw a heartbeat which was reassuring but I feel like anything can happen. The fatigue is also enormous.

Any tips to minimise feeling guilty? I know people call in sick for anything and I guess we are protected more in pregnancy.

I have my booking appt with midwife next week. But next scan won't be until Feb. We had viability scan at the IVF clinic earlier.

@AmberBeaker
Thanks. I'm sure sitting around worrying isn't the best, but I would rather be at home with the on/ off bleeding rather than running around the hospital. I also feel that with IVF it has been such a difficult journey to get here. I think once I reach the 2nd trimester I will feel better and more secure about things.

@Shynslk - thank you. This has all happened during my weeks off which I saved up for Christmas and New year. I don't mind so much as it is better it's happened when off than when at work.

I feel the same - the bleeding has really stressed me out and I'm so worried about it even though the early scan has been reassuring. Totally understand about not wanting to make things worse with it being a long journey to get there. Has your bleeding settled now? And how many weeks are you along?

I'm half way through my 6th week, got a scan booked in next Saturday to try to reassure me. The bleeding seemed to be a one off for me - hopefully! Still testing positive, still got my symptoms and have had no more bleeding since but was still scary to see. I was 5 weeks when I had the bleed so early pregnancy unit wouldn't see me, felt completely alone and terrified, especially with this being my first pregnancy and not a clue what's normal or not, so I've decided to put myself first. Once I've gone for the scan, and if I'm feeling a little bit normal, I'll go back to work. Until then, I want to take it easy.

@Englishrose35 i also work in healthcare and won’t take sick at the drop of a hat, I’ve gone for years without taking a single day. In my last pregnancy I had to take a month off and felt so guilty. When I came back I realised no one actually cares. Life will go on at work when you aren’t there. Your wellbeing is more important than work.
agree with pp who said it can be good to work for distraction but if the bleeding is stressing you out and you feel more comfortable at home do what works for you. It doesn’t mean you will be off sick for the whole pregnancy .