Should I go sick?

[Momdeguerre]

Hi,
I am lucky that I am seldom ill and usually have only off once a year if at all.

Since being pg this time round I have struggled. I have a 16 month old son and I work full time in a stressful job where I manage 100 ish staff and I work 12 hr shifts, day and night. On top of that I work in an emergency service and often have to make very difficult decisions.

Anyway. I am 21 weeks pg and last Monday at work I had a heavy bleed. I came home, been scanned and checked and no cause for the bleed found. I am due back to work tomorrow but have been spotting again over the weekend and I am concerned.

Am off to GP again this morning - is it unreasonable to want to stay sick? I know I am not really ill but I am worried by the bleed.

Anyone been in similar circumstances?

Absolutely stay at home. You need to focus on you and your baby. I cannot imagine an employer making a fuss if a pregnant woman is bleeding. I am no medical expert but from what I understand bleeding is often a sign that you are pushing yourself too hard and your body is saying take it easy. Have a duvet day, feel better (more confident about your pregnancy) and go back to work happy and ready to do your job.

All the best. I hope your GP gives you some answers.

A

x

Get signed off and put your feet up, bleeding at anytime during pregnancy is not good and some time out of hectic schedule would only do good!

Good luck xx

So sorry to hear you've had a scary bleed and I'm glad the scan was fine. I would listen to your body and trust your instincts, if you think you need some time off, then explain everything to your GP. You and your baby are more important than any job.

I hope you're feeling much better soon xx

Absolutely stay off sick. From what you say I'm guessing you work for NHS or similar - who tend to have pretty good sick leave policies (there have to be some perks!) If you're stressed and worried then you're better off at home and not at work having to deal with difficult situations. Hope everything works out OK.

I would absolutely stay at home and ensure that you feel better through rest.

Most (good) organisations would rather that their employees are well and can fulfill their duties properly.

As such, take the time and give your body what it needs so that you can return to work, firing on all cylinders and do a really good job prior to your maternity leave.

Believe you me. I am sure that's what your boss would want too.

I would second what everyone else says and take some leave. The bleed and the stress might not be linked... but it seems your instincts are telling you that you are possibly overdoing it and I think you should listen to them. I would think very carefully about going back too soon either... if at all during the pregnancy too.

Thank you all. Had convinced myself that I was being pathetic!

My boss is not very sympathetic but he won't be able to argue with being signed off. Dr was great, took it very seriously and has signed me off for two weeks and referred me to a further consultant. She is concerned that I may be threatening to miscarry.

Am worried but relieved that it has been taken seriously. Fingers crossed baby will stay put.

Thanks again.