Working Night Shifts

[Suthers84]

Hi all, so I'm just 7 weeks pregnant and have made an early request with my job to come off night shifts until I at least get past this first trimester. I'm 42, first pregnancy so I don't want to do anything to jeopardise pregnancy. It's a desk job but very mentally challenging.
I'm maybe overthinking but worrying about working nights and not having much of a routine is making me anxious. Work have stated I needed a fit note from Dr but I'm worried a Dr might say no / turn down my request, so any suggestions or advice from anyone who had similar will definitely help put my mind at rest. Are fit notes hard to get?

Hi OP,

congratulations! I am sorry that work haven’t been supportive,night working is difficult mentally and physically at the best of times, let alone during pregnancy.

Do you work for a large company? It would be worth looking at policies or contacting HR. They should be doing a risk assessment with you regardless.

I would also share your worries with your GP,I am sure that they would be happy to assist you.

Hope everything goes ok for you ☺️

A risk assessment is required. Are you struggling? There's no indication that night shifts increase likelihood of miscarriage. I'm still doing night shifts at 30 weeks (admittedly I work variable shifts so not every one is night shift but do at least 7 x 10hr night shifts in a month].

I'm not sure what coming off nights shifts for the next 7ish weeks will change for you really? I worked nights when I was pregnant, and it made no odds to me. I did come off nights from 35ish weeks for safety reasons/being a lone worker. Surely your job is just as mentally challenging during the day as at night.

By all means ask your GP for a sick line, and ask your work to do a risk assessment but there's unlikely to be risks from this early on.