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Pregnancy

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

Time off work for back pain

2 replies

Shynslk · 22/05/2025 11:44

I'm 27w1d and the back pain I've been dealing with has been getting steadily worse. I've just had my midwife appointment and have been referred to physio, but she told me this could take a few weeks. I finish work in 6 weeks, 9 really because I've used 3 weeks holiday, but I kind of don't know what to do.

I work in a warehouse. I'm on my feet all day and walking about constantly. They have changed my jobs so I'm on lighter duties and allow me to have mini breaks, but yesterday I only worked for 4 hours and now I'm walking at a snails pace and can't get comfy. I only had about 6 hours broken sleep last night because I couldn't get myself comfortable. Sometimes I wake up with this pain going from my lower back/hip down my thigh. A few days ago I felt stuck because if I put any pressure on my right foot, I had a horrible, shooting pain going up from my foot to my lower back. I was by myself at the time, my phone downstairs, and just thinking to myself 'what on earth do I do?'. I wound up just using my tippy toes and pushing through the pain and hopping, using the wall to hold on to, until I could get to bed and sit and try some light exercises, which helped for a little while, although I was still in a lot of pain.

I had a weeks holiday off work and just went back yesterday, but I'm so tempted to call in sick. My eyes are burning from tiredness and my back is aching. I just feel so guilty if I do because I've already been off, and I was off for most of the first trimester with sickness. I've not been off since I was about 13/14 weeks pregnant, but I've used a lot of my holidays and lieu to finish early. I already finish 2 hours early today, so on the one hand I'm thinking, just push through it. On the other hand I'm thinking, stay home and rest and catch up on some sleep. But the pain isn't going to get any easier really, is it? Baby's just going to get bigger and I'll have more pressure on my back. I don't want to trigger my mat leave early, so I don't know what to do.

OP posts:
user2848502016 · 22/05/2025 12:27

Sounds like you need to get signed off sick, you can’t work in that kind of condition. You need to look after yourself and your baby so if you need to be off do it.
They can start your maternity leave 4 weeks before your due date if you’re off sick but sounds like you will be finished work by then anyway.

Shynslk · 22/05/2025 12:34

@user2848502016
I wasn't sure if it was 4 weeks before mat leave started or 4 weeks before due date, which is what's been worrying me, but yeah my last day at work is when I'll be 35+6

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