Low-lying placenta at 26 weeks: should I stop work and rest?

[Dogmum15]

Hi everyone, just after some advice!

I'm currently 26 weeks pregnant with baby number 2, who was conceived via ivf.
I have been seen several times in hospital due to heavy bleeds and have been diagnosed with a low lying placenta. I'm not sure to what degree, I was just told that there is a lobe of it very close to the cervix which is what is causing the bleeding. At 5 weeks I had a really heavy period like bleed that they think was a loss and it has caused a "dragging effect" of my placenta, so it's an odd shape!

I work in the NHS and my job is pretty physical, just on my feet a lot and helping patients etc. My boss is absolutely fantastic and supportive and has been throughout my pregnancy but I've already been signed off for 2 weeks sick after my first bad bleed and now that ive had another, 6 weeks after my last, my doctor is looking to sign me off again. I feel like a fraud!

My question is, has anyone else been in this same situation and can you tell me what you were advised to do? My obstetrics team have not been too good at giving me advice as to what they mean when they say that I should "rest". I asked the doctor the last time I was in hospital with a bleed if I should come out of work altogether and she shrugged her shoulders at me and said "rest means rest". She was extremely busy as maternity assessment was mental that night but I left feeling none the wiser.

I'm already on altered duties, I'm no longer doing 12 hour shifts or night shifts I am just working my core hours which are 8 hours a day Monday to Friday. Which was put into place after a heavy bleed at 17 weeks.

My hope is that the placenta will move the bigger I get but so far it has stayed put!

Any advise would be greatly appreciated thank you :)

I should say that I've had a previous emergency C section and my pregnancies have both been IVF!

what have occ health said?

Yes agree with the above but if you are working 8 hours Mon to Fri in a physical front line job I would say that sounds unsuitable. Talk to occupational health as they may be able to talk to your
manager about non clinical duties until you go on mat leave. I was working with covid patients when pregnant with my second and was redeployed to do admin work from home for my third trimester.

Honestly just go off sick especially if you’ve worked for the nhs for a while you’ll get your full pay then automatically go over to mat leave.
A full time physical patient facing role is not rest, surely occy health will have advised you are non clinical or signed off sick?

As you’re been told rest is rest, not work.

Hi @Greybeardy I actually haven't been referred to occ health but that might be a good question to ask!

@HippeePrincess thanks for replying! Yes that's why my family are saying too. I'm going to take the two weeks off anyway and then see how I feel from there. Possibly discuss a more admin based role of it's available.

@Nursemumma92 thank you for the response! I will certainly ask to be referred to occ health and perhaps be redeployed for the remainder if needs be. I didn't even think of this.

you should be able to self refer to OH.

Stop working now. You’ve been through a lot already to have this baby. You have plenty of time to work more for the rest of your life — your job isn’t going anywhere.

I know we like to think we’re irreplaceable at work, but the reality is, we’re not. It won’t affect them if you go on sick leave, but you absolutely need this time for yourself and the baby. I honestly wouldn’t think twice about it.

When I was in the NHS (HR) if you are off sick very often in pregnancy they make you take Mat Leave earlier not Sick leave.

@MixedBananas Hi yes,nif you're off 4 weeks before due date your mat leave starts then but I think I'm going to be delivered around then anyway. However, if the placenta moves up I'll be back to work. Thanks for the reply!

@Loverurarliving01 That's exactly what my family have said. I definitely do want to give this the best chance! Thank you so much for your response x

If sickness is related to the pregnancy then at 36 weeks you will have to go on to maternity leave, legally you can’t be “made” to do this earlier. Which in a patient facing role in my trust the policy is that you go on mat leave at 36 weeks anyway unless you have special permission to work longer.

The op has 10 weeks before they will need to swap to mat leave.

@HippeePrincess Hi yes that is exactly my understanding too! X

Yep get your sick note. Things might change at 32 weeks when you go for your further ultrasound and consult (also have the same issue in my current pregnancy, so I’d be surprised if they haven’t booked you in for 32 weeks to keep an eye). Potentially it may change but absolutely take the time off and rest up. Google pelvic rest. This is what they told me 😂 also very vague advice.