Advice on work! 7 weeks pregnant working in a care home

[Daisydo123]

Hi ladies I started back at work today I work in a nursing home the work is quite heavy even tho I have cut down on some of what I would of before its still tight going, basically after an hour at work today I started taking cramps and really felt like I was straining myself, Am home again now from work and am knocked for 6 my back is sore my legs are sore I feel like am black and blue, my husband wants me to go back on the sick till my 12 weeks what do use all think? I don'

[Daisydo123]

Posted without finishing, but I don't want them thinking am one of these pregnant woman that don't want to lift a finger it's not that it's just I really feel like I am putting a stain on myself by working and am so worried that something will happen x

[Nay1986 in reply to Daisydo123]

You have to do what is best for you and your baby! I would get signed off until the 12 week scan! I’m tempted to get signed off and all I do is sit in an office 12 hours a day lol( but it is stressful) so if I was in your shoes I would get a sick note! And don’t worry about what other people think as they probably haven’t had to go through what we have 👍🏼❤️ X

[Daisydo123 in reply to Nay1986]

Thanks missus, I don't no what's wrong with me why am I so scared to do what's best for me, I haven't been there long so that's most likely why am scared to take it off but they have been understanding of my time off before this for ivf, I think il go in tomoro then get a sick line it's def not worth the risks, I have a 5 year old to and am so knackered and sore from work i was struggling to do her homework with her, it's not fair on her either x

[Crowpingpongg]

You have to look after yourself and the baby. It's not worth losing being in work. I am currently off and will do until I get a better scan x

[Daisydo123 in reply to Crowpingpongg]

How long have you been off? Was your doctor understanding? My consultant was shocked when she heard I was going back because of the nature of the job and also the fact I have a very swole ovary xx

[Crowpingpongg in reply to Daisydo123]

Currently 4 weeks had a scan today but the heartbeat is slow go back next week, hope its improved. But I'm staying off til I feel ok to go back in. My Dr is amazingly supportive however work isn't as much but are supporting me. Do what's right for you, this could be your best chance xx

[Newyeae]

Hi Daisy. Bless you. Care work is a massive physical challenge without being pregnant. Clearly your body is telling you what you need to do. For your health and wellbeing as well as baby go to your doctor and see if you can get signed off. Better to be cautious and work will understand. Your industry will have this scenario more commonly than most. Xx

[Daisydo123 in reply to Newyeae]

I think I see sense now, I am going to go in tomroow and take it easy and then get a sick line after it's not worth the risks, especially after everything to get here x

[Newyeae in reply to Daisydo123]

Exactly. You have to put you and baby first. I know you feel obligated at work but this is one time in life where you have been through so much not to give in now. You deserve some understanding and looking after yourself. If you get a drs sick note work have to honour it so dont stress xx

[Daisydo123 in reply to Newyeae]

I think my doctor will sign me off no probs because she had gave me a 3 week sick line and I got her to let me go back to work 2 weeks early so I think once I go see her she will understand, I thought once I got pregnant id be grand lol am more worried than ever lol xx

[Newyeae in reply to Daisydo123]

Yep welcome to club. We worry the whole time. But it will all be ok so long as we stick up for ourselves! Rest up for now don't think too far ahead x

[Amanda86]

Hey Daisy,

I too work in care, same as you was really worried about everything. My work aren’t supportive at all to be honest, I worked until 10 weeks then had to be signed off (due to hyperemesis) I returned at 13 weeks where my boss was trying to tell me being pregnant made no difference to my duties. I called HR for advice - do you have a HR department?

They advised me not to do anything I felt uncomfortable doing, I’m not saying shifts were or are easy, they weren’t, long days and sadly our line of work it’s almost impossible to have complete light duties 🙁 but from the advice I got from HR I refused to do anything I felt was too much for me (mainly hoists, refuses to work with aggressive residents) if my manager had said anything I would have told her to discuss the issue with HR as I was following their advice. I would have went off sick had this happened - luckily this approach has been ok for me. I’m now almost 29 weeks pregnant.

If you feel better being signed off then do, you need to do what’s best for you and baby! Just don’t let anyone make you feel bad for amending your duties to suit your pregnancy, you do whatever is right for you xxx