Pregnancy and night shifts at a new job

[Doughnut100]

I am starting a new job at a helpline next month and I'll hopefully be 14 weeks pregnant. I am planning to tell them I'm pregnant as soon as all my documents are signed etc.

It will be shift work and the schedule normally involves about 1 night shift a month. I specifically told them in the interview that shift work was totally fine for me. However now I am dreading the idea of having to do a night shift, even though I will probably be able to work from home. I am constantly exhausted and sick - hopefully this will have eased by the time I'm 14 weeks, but I'm still worried about exhausting myself further, as I've lost three pregnancies before this one and so I'm quite nervous.

Do any women have experience of asking their employers not to do night shifts while pregnant? I understand that legally they are still allowed to expect me to do it, unless I provide a doctor's certificate. Are these easy to get? I'm a bit worried about appearing to be precious from the get-go, especially when I'm going to spring my pregnancy on them. They are a charity so while I do expect them to be a good employer they are motivated to get value-for-money from me.

Any words of advice will be much appreciated.

1 night a month isn't a lot. Day shift or night shift you'll sill be the same.
I think the best thing is not to panic and worry about it, the stress of worry will be worse than the one night. Just make sure you get enough rest before/after.

And congratulations

I work in an industry where nights are common, most people continue to work them to around 30weeks. In my business we are 1 in 4 nights I had two pregnant ladies last year one did them to 30 weeks and one to 34 weeks.

Ha ok. @Lonecatwithkitten I have been furloughed and largely bed bound with sickness so it's good to hear about all these normal women working hard while they are pregnant. Right now it feels like I'm a Victorian lady in confinement.

@BigFatLiar you're right 1 night isn't a lot. I think maybe I just have to assume I'm going to feel better in 3 weeks and prepare to jump back into work mode fully. And if once I've started I find I'm not coping I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

Thank you both for your input.

@Doughnut100 the one who worked nights till 34 weeks was sick the whole May through running off to vomit and then back to monitor her anaesthetic. Obviously not in bed, but it only stopped with delivery.

One night a month is v little, if you can do day shifts you'll probably be fine. Most people's sickness ends by week 14, you'll likely be fine. In the NHS you don't get out if night shifts till after 28 weeks 😱