I'm 28 weeks and full of cold. Sneezing, coughing constantly, body aching, nose running, ears blocked and itchy. I don't think it's flu, I don't have a fever or headache and it didn't happen suddenly. I had just a minor sore throat yesterday but now I'm aching all over and just feel like rubbish.
I wouldn't say it's pregnancy related, but I'm slightly worried about triggering maternity leave. I know I have a long way to go, but I don't know the policy exactly. 5 weeks today is my last day at work physically, but I've put in 3 weeks holiday so my maternity leave officially starts in 8 weeks, but would the holidays count towards it if I'm off sick? Usually at work if you're off sick before a holiday, it's classed as sickness, I think, I'm not actually sure of the policy. I'm also not sure the maternity policy as it doesn't say anything on my company's policy page, but I'm unsure if early mat leave is triggered 4 weeks before due date or 4 weeks before mat leave is due to start.
I'm also concerned because I've been off for pretty much the whole first trimester. It was classed as pregnancy related, so I was off 3 times in about 3-4 months and no further action was taken. The last time I was off for a non pregnancy related reason was, I think, October. Pregnancy related reason was I think early March. I just feel like it's a lot of time off.
I don't know whether to just push through because I've only got 5 weeks left. But honestly, I just want to stay in bed and get some rest. Should I just go and put up with it? Stay off and rest even if it might mean a sanction since it's not pregnancy related? Or just not care what they think, take a day or two off.