Hi all.
I'm sorry in advance for the long post. This is my first post but I've found this forum really useful so far. I'm about 6 weeks pregnant and really struggling with nausea, dizziness and tiredness. I'm also suffering with anxiety; about a week ago I had sharp stabbing pains in my cervix so was referred for an ultrasound scan. At the scan they thought I was about 5 weeks pregnant, although I had thought I was about 6, so all they could see was an egg sack and yolk. I'm going back for another scan this Monday but am fearing a missed miscarriage. I know it is just a waiting game, and that hopefully I'll know more on Monday, but I've found the pregnancy quite stressful so far.
So far this year I've only been into the office once and that was only for a couple of hours. I've taken a mixture of annual leave, sick leave and tried to work from home but I'm feeling increasingly ill from the pregnancy and also noticing my anxiety increasing, probably made worse by the fact I know my work is stacking up! I have a long commute, around 1-1.5hrs drive one way, so unfortunately I can't really just go in for a few hours. My manager knows I'm pregnant but isn't overly sympathetic, despite having kids herself. I'm 34 and love my job usually, I've worked hard to build a career but feel like I have a different focus now and that should be the little foetus I'm growing.
How are you all coping/how did you cope with work during pregnancy, particularly the early stages? Any tips and advice would be much appreciated. I've tried all the usual stuff for the nausea, ginger, sickness bands, etc. Thanks in advance and sorry again for the long post.
Bless you hun. Please excuse my long reply!
I've had 2 miscarriages. Both times I didn't tell the people I was working with (minus my seniors) until we'd lost, even though we get on well, I just didn't wanna jinx it.
Since losing 2 babies within the space of 4 months, I've been battling anxiety and depression and although I've had counselling, I am still taking medication.
I work as a carer on an elderly ward so when I became pregnant this time round, at 4 weeks pregnant, I told my manager then told everyone I worked with. Purely because I didn't want to do any heavy manual handling, go near aggressive patients and was cautious of certain infections that were on the ward. I found it easier to cope as my manager has been brilliant and the staff I work with have been just as good, if not better.
Like yourself, I was referred for a scan which at the time I thought I would of been 6 weeks. We went for the scan where she said I was more like 5 weeks and could only see the sac and yolk so I was concerned.
Went back for a 7 week scan and saw our little grain of rice with a good heartbeat. I'm now 27+6 weeks pregnant with our rainbow boy!
If you're struggling with anxiety then I'd go to your doctors hun and see what they suggest as stress isnt good for you or your baby. Some people have suggested trying rich tea biscuits for nausea and making sure you eat little and often even when you feel sick.
Coping with period pain in early stages were bad for me. So I used to try and relax and breathe through them and said to myself if they go away in a few minutes then everything will be fine. They always went away and our boy is perfect 😁!
Wishing you all the best! Xx
Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. My GP has given me some details for pregnancy mental health support so am going to self-refer to them for the anxiety. I'm just keeping everything crossed that the scan will go ok on Monday. Did you find you had to take any time off work during early pregnancy? I just feel so ill but also feel like I'm making a big deal out of nothing, I'm pregnant not ill and women have been doing this for centuries and just got on with it.
That's a good idea hun. Just try to relax. I had to think if it's gonna happen then it will. Me worrying won't stop that, as harsh as that sounds.
I did because I was so obsessed with worrying about our baby that when I had pain I took time off as I was convinced I was over doing it. I did have to go A&E with pain in my side at one point so I had time off for rest. I had time off at 20 weeks too as I fainted at work and got sent home to rest.
I've been diagnosed with SPD and have been off work for 2 weeks so far because the pain in my hips is horrendous that it affects my walking. I also think I'm pregnant and not ill but right now my health and my son's is more important.
If you're struggling hun then yes you're pregnant and it's not an illness but if you're ill through it, there's no point in going work n spending it with your head down the toilet xx