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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Time off work due to lack of sleep

34 replies

Motherof1and2dogs · 24/02/2025 06:19

I feel really silly having time off work due to lack of sleep and I feel like this isn't really a good enough reason.
I am currently 20 weeks pregnant, I had the worst night last night, hardly any sleep at all, after an awful first trimester I am now suffering with really bad acid reflux which seems to happen late at night/ early hours, due to this I am getting broken sleep and last night was bad! Was up at 1:30am, couldn't get back to sleep for about 2 hours and now up again at 6am. I feel exhausted and I just want to stay in bed and sleep 😩
Would calling in sick today for the above be seen as not a good enough excuse? Just seems bad not going in due to being tired.

OP posts:
Weirdmum · 24/02/2025 06:22

Pregnancy is pretty much the only opportunity women have to take as much sick leave as needed without it going against you.

Stay in bed.

WonderingWanda · 24/02/2025 06:46

I've got bad news for you op....this lack of sleep is nothing compared to what's to come. You are going to have to learn to operate on very low sleep soon.

I've never rung in sick for being tired, I just don't think it would go down well, there will be many people in the workplace who don't sleep well for all sorts of reasons - already parents of small children, up with a puppy, dealing with elderly parents, menopause etc....imagine if we all took the day off everything we didn't sleep.

That said, pregnancy is very draining and you do need to look after yourself so if this is persistent and you are exhausted then do rest. I'd still suggest calling in with a more dramatic excuse, could you be having a migraine induced by not sleeping well instead?

Shynslk · 24/02/2025 06:47

I've been feeling so guilty because I've been off almost every week from work because of symptoms. I was also off for the same reason about a fortnight ago, I told them I was up vomiting and still feel really sick and tired, they just told me to take care of myself. Been off the past two days with a migraine, vomiting and dizzy spells, again they just said to look after myself. It's easy to feel guilty but we need to put ourselves and the little one first at the moment.

Basicbiro · 24/02/2025 06:53

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Velvian · 24/02/2025 06:56

I'm not sure it is a good precedent to set. Try a wedge pillow. I recommend not eating after 7pm, no fizzy drinks or spicy food, small meals...

Original poster
Motherof1and2dogs · 24/02/2025 06:56

@WonderingWanda @Basicbiro

I have a 2 year old so I know what's to come, but I am hoping so won't be vomiting at 1:30am plus I'll be on maternity leave for a year so it won't matter so much as I won't have to concentrate with a job and can focus fully on baby.

OP posts:
Daffiesmeanspring · 24/02/2025 06:57

Maybe depends a bit on your job.
But if you called your doctor right now they'd probably sign you off, so one day to recover doesn't seem so bad. I wouldn't say tiredness though, could give something else (acid reflux causing vomiting perhaps).

H7529 · 24/02/2025 06:58

Not the topic, but talk to your GP about Omeprazole. I suffered so badly with acid reflux and for some reason just soldiered through. After a few more weeks it became too bad and I finally took Omeprazole and it was completely gone from one day to the next.

Daffiesmeanspring · 24/02/2025 06:58

Plus if you have to drive to work it doesn't sound very safe

Basicbiro · 24/02/2025 06:59

Motherof1and2dogs · 24/02/2025 06:56

@WonderingWanda @Basicbiro

I have a 2 year old so I know what's to come, but I am hoping so won't be vomiting at 1:30am plus I'll be on maternity leave for a year so it won't matter so much as I won't have to concentrate with a job and can focus fully on baby.

So…. You clearly don’t think unreasonable to throw a sickie today so…

Thingsthatgo · 24/02/2025 07:00

I used to take a yogurt to bed with me! I woke up every night with acid reflux/nausea and the yogurt really helped.

Original poster
Motherof1and2dogs · 24/02/2025 07:00

@H7529 did yours also cause vomiting? I am still being sick but seems totally different to the morning sickness I had first trimester. That happened mostly in the morning and was more like bile, but this time round it's late at night/ early hours and it's food coming up and it burns!! Did you get any side effects to the medication for reflux? I worry about bad side effects and hate taking meds :(

OP posts:
LittleOddSock · 24/02/2025 07:00

Take the time off. I don't think we need to push through to prove a point and hate you've been told to "woman up".

Sleep deprivation caused by physical symptoms of pregnancy is an entirely justified reason to ring in sick.

Adhikv · 24/02/2025 07:01

I had this and I took the day off work the next day, in part so I could see the doctor and get something for my acid reflux. Also I took sick days due to pure exhaustion during pregnancy and felt no guilt.

Chocolatehobnobs25 · 24/02/2025 07:02

I had awful reflux and started omeprazole and it instantly solved it after the first dose! Was amazing! No side effects at all for me.

Original poster
Motherof1and2dogs · 24/02/2025 07:05

@LittleOddSock thank you for this. I thought that comment was a bit harsh. I wouldn't ever call in sick for being tired any other time but being pregnant just makes it that much more difficult

OP posts:
CorsicaDreaming · 24/02/2025 07:06

If you just state you need to take sick leave due to sickness it will be true but maybe it's better as Will not feel as unjustifiable (to you / your boss - I'm not saying it's unjustifiable) as for lack of sleep. Lots of norovirus type bugs doing the rounds anyway.

H7529 · 24/02/2025 07:07

Motherof1and2dogs · 24/02/2025 07:00

@H7529 did yours also cause vomiting? I am still being sick but seems totally different to the morning sickness I had first trimester. That happened mostly in the morning and was more like bile, but this time round it's late at night/ early hours and it's food coming up and it burns!! Did you get any side effects to the medication for reflux? I worry about bad side effects and hate taking meds :(

Yes, sometimes the reflux was so bad that I vomited in the night. I was the same, very reluctant to take anything, but once I did, I wished I had taken it earlier rather than suffering for two months. No side effects for me, but of course talk to your doctor first if it is appropriate for you to take. Pregnancy is hard enough, we shouldn’t suffer more than we have to. Good luck!

LittleOddSock · 24/02/2025 07:18

I think as woman we're often expected to suck up an awful lot and why?

Pregnancy related sickness absence is exempt from being used as triggers for a reason. It's more likely we'll experience sickness absence during this time period. I would never advocate people unjustly using it but would also never advocate the suck it up mentality when you're struggling.

I hope you take the day and rest/sleep.l and hopefully speak to your GP to look at what options you have available to you to help the root cause.

JustMyView13 · 24/02/2025 07:19

WonderingWanda · 24/02/2025 06:46

I've got bad news for you op....this lack of sleep is nothing compared to what's to come. You are going to have to learn to operate on very low sleep soon.

I've never rung in sick for being tired, I just don't think it would go down well, there will be many people in the workplace who don't sleep well for all sorts of reasons - already parents of small children, up with a puppy, dealing with elderly parents, menopause etc....imagine if we all took the day off everything we didn't sleep.

That said, pregnancy is very draining and you do need to look after yourself so if this is persistent and you are exhausted then do rest. I'd still suggest calling in with a more dramatic excuse, could you be having a migraine induced by not sleeping well instead?

The ‘just you wait’ crew have entered the chat.

Honestly, good for you struggling on but seriously it’s ok to take time off when you need it. If your health is preventing you from performing at the required level, it’s ok to take sick leave. People don’t have to wait until you’re totally burnt out - they stopped awarding badges for that a long time ago.

OP doesn’t need to dramatise their symptoms either, she can simply say state fact - that she’s feeling really rough today and is unable to work, hoping it’ll pass by tomorrow but I will message and confirm. She doesn’t need to dramatise anything, she’s pregnant, and she’s had a rough night.

OP if this persists and isn’t normal for you, don’t forget to message your midwife for the once over.

HundredPercentUnsure · 24/02/2025 07:21

Take the day, but come up with a better excuse.

A migraine triggered by exhaustion from pregnancy-related sleep issues, or something like that

LittleOddSock · 24/02/2025 07:28

What is wrong with the truth?

"I have horrific acid reflux that is causing vomiting over night and I've had next to no sleep so I won't be able to work today. I'm going to try and get an appointment with my GP to discuss and I'll let you know how I get on"

I wouldn't bat an eyelid at that reason. Subsequently if it's awful longer term (I hope it's not OP) she could well find herself signed off work with that exact reason. Why lie? I'm not sure a migraine is any more justifiable than what the OP is actually experiencing.

Sevenamcoffee · 24/02/2025 07:28

I’m a manager and I wouldn’t even think twice about this. What you’re saying is you can’t perform at work as needed. You could be making mistakes and pregnancy symptoms as described are a perfectly valid reason.

labamba007 · 24/02/2025 07:31

I manage a team too. Take the day off sick. It's what I would expect. If it was a regular thing then I'd have to put things into place to make it easier - working from home and flexible time if possible (which all my staff get anyway).

Kendodd · 24/02/2025 07:32

I think it depends what you do OP.
Fly an aeroplane- don't go.
Sit at a desk doing a job where mistakes aren't so important- go in.