Returning to work at 13 weeks pregnant with hyperemesis advice

[User2308]

I'm currently 13 weeks pregnant with my second child. I had to tell my employer really early as the sickness hit me at 6 weeks. I was allowed to wfh for two weeks (usually I do 2 days in the office). Following this i was really poorly and diagnosed with hypermesis gravidarum and was signed off completely for a few weeks. I am now on SSP and can't really afford to stay off on sick. I've got new anti sickness meds which have helped overall but I still have some very bad days and of course am still struggling with fatigue, sickness and nausea etc. I'm due back to work next week and would love advice on the best way to handle things. My gp has offered to write that I am fit to work from home so that's an option. Thoughts?

Hi OP, sorry you are going through this. I told my employer too at 6 weeks due to HG. Second baby also.

My advice would be to get your GP to sign you are fit to work but recommendations from home. I did reduced hours for 2 weeks too. So half days. Gp can put this on the note

Your work can decline but they need to send a letter in writing why you can’t work from home, as if they don’t have a valid reason it is pregnancy discrimination.

I would personally get that letter off your GP today or tomorrow morning and send that to your work asap x

So sorry, it's so tough
Work from home sounds very sensible. It will mean you can rest more (no commute etc) and control your exposure to smells etc

Thanks guys, think you're both right! Feel like there is soooo much pressure to "power through" and act like you can carry on as normal when pregnant. But sometimes that's not possible - and it doesn't do anyone any favours in pretending pregnancy isn't as hard as it can be! ❤️

Just keep remembering hyperemesis is a world apart from normal morning sickness

I had two pregnancies with hyperemesis in 6 months. In the first I tried to make it to the office as much as I could. Worked at home when I couldn't. Listened into meetings from the bathroom floor. I took 2 days off a week sick plus my non working day on average.
One night after forcing myself into work and not keeping any food down all day my legs gave way on me and I ended up spraining my ankle in the middle of the night. I went to minor injuries and they were much more concerned about how much I was trying to do than my ankle!
I lost that pregnancy a week later.

The next pregnancy the sickness started at 4 weeks and i spoke to my line manager and apologised about not being able to make it into the office as moving made me vomit. He told me categorical he did not expect me to come to the office until I was feeling up to it. A week later I couldn't work and was signed off for 4 weeks on top my first week self certify. I lost that pregnancy too. I continued to work from home for the following 2 weeks as I didn't want to be around happy people - it was mid December.

The first pregnancy I lost 4kg in 6 weeks and in the second only 1kg. The rest and not having to run around meant my body was less stressed.

Absolutely ask for a fit note - ask for home working and extra breaks. Maybe ask about a phased return too so you build up from no days to your usual days over 2-3 weeks so that you can work out what helps and doesn't.

Do you have occupational health OP? my situation was a bit different, I had very bad morning sickness (not HG) and I had 2 weeks off sick and a few days holiday that I was owed. Luckily the sickness went by about 14 weeks so I was able to work fairly normally. However I was client facing and was put on a new client that was a horrible commute away. I was having twins and whilst well I was absolutely massive by 4 months. Occ health said I was not to commute 5 days a week and must WFH 2 days a week so there was nothing my client / manager could do about it. Could you get them involved?

My sister had HG both pregnancies. She was signed off sick for both of them for the whole time. Big companies so think she got paid but she got made redundant after the first birth. She then got a new job, got pregnant and got signed off sick. When she went back everything was fine, she got stuck in, got promoted etc. a few years later she got another promotion and moved companies, she now earns an eye watering amount even by MN standards. So do keep the big picture in mind. Sending good wishes to you.

Bless you, I am so so sorry to hear about your losses 💔 thank you so much for sharing and for the advice. I honestly don't think unless you've experienced a HG pregnancy you can understand just how horrendous it can be. Take care x