I am 8 1/2 weeks pregnant. Help i need advice about work.

[michellem30]

Hi everyone. I am a social care assistant. I work fulltime in a residential hone where i use hoists to assist residents. My work has not done a risk assessment yet and my doctor has given me a 2 week line because of this. I am due back at work on wednesday however i dont know yet what i am allowed to do at work. As i said i am 8 1/2 weeks pregnant and i work in a fast paced unit. Can anyone give me advice please?

[Hidden]

Hi there, I am a registered Nurse and by employment law, every work place needs to do a risk assessment for pregnant employees. You have to insist, I was working for the NHS with my last one and they were fantastic. Everything needs to be assessed and some tasks you cannot completely do such as lifting. Even with a hoist be careful. In pregnancy everything as in joints and Ligaments are affected by hormones and you can easily hurt yourself. In addition to that things like washing a heavy patient even with two try and avoid especially as you get heavier, work shifts have to be discussed as you need plenty of rests and breaks, long days and nights try and avoid if you can. With your employers by law need to give you plenty of breaks and time for hospital appointments. I know it is difficult for Employers but has to be done. Dont compromise your safety and your baby's. If anything happens all you will get is a sorry card, Good luck and take care. Also when you return to work all new mums especially Nursing ones/Breastfeeding need another risk Assessment.

[michellem30 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for that advice. I feel more confident now as to what i can and cant do x

[Hidden]

You have every right to expect your work place to look after you especially now, and if anything happens to you at work they are equally accountable. I have met so many people who are made to feel guilty because of pregnancy by their employers and some work colleagues. I had a work colleague who had to stop working on the ward most of her pregnancy due to SPD/ which is associated with pelvic and joint pain. All she could do was paper work, referrals but completely not hands on. I am sure you will be okay.

[michellem30 in reply to Hidden]

I had a miscarriage last year. I was very early in pregnancy so i am more anxious about this pregnancy. I am due back at the doctors on Monday so we will see what happens. Thanks again x

[Hidden]

Withy that medical history, I completely understand. I know they say that not much is known or can be done about miscarriage. But stress, I am sure plays a part. My advice is anything heavy avoid, and avoid. If they stress you at work hope they dont, then you have to look at other means. Employers dont like it when people call off sick so they have to support you. I have seen lots of off sickness where people dont feel supported especially in pregnancy. In a nice work place you can work all the way till your maternity leave. Fingers crossed for you. x

[michellem30 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks again. Ive only been talking to you a half hour and you have informed me more than my work lol. Take care x

[Hidden]

Take care too x

[HanyKuc]

Hi Michelle,

First of all congratulations. You need to look after yourself now, specially in the first trimester, avoid hoisting, personal care with heavy residents, also find out if anybody has MRSA or any infections and take breaks to sit down, have a drink and snack regularly to prevent nausea. Do you work long shifts? I am an administrator in a nursing home and I know how the work load for carers is hard and sometimes impossible to have a break at all, but with pregnancy your employer must support you. As soon as you tel them, your manager or HR has to carry out risk assessment where you discuss working hours (in our place, pregnant ladies prefer working night shifts because it is much easier, slower pace), reducing hours if you can't cope, working conditions etc. If they haven't done it yet - you need to ask your manager/HR again. Did you inform them in writing? There is a big difference between a care home and a care home, some employers just don't care at all, so you need to step up and look after yourself & your little one. Have you looked through your contract/principal statement/employee handbook? My advise would be follow your instinct, if you don't feel comfortable carrying out some tasks - don't do it, keep safe.

Good luck with everything x

[michellem30 in reply to HanyKuc]

Thanks. my shifts are either 1.15-9.30 or 7.15-3.30.

Im due back at docs tomorrow so will see what happens.

Thanks again x

[Thirdtimelucky]

I wish that I had stuck up for myself more, I was a care assistant and my role involved heavy lifting, hoisting several times a day, my shifts were twelve hours long. I left my place of employment with no hope of maternity leave, to try for a baby again I am now on my 19th week and am stress free, and feel that I did the right thing. But no one should have to feel like they are forced to give up their chosen vocation of many years, and I praise those who have given such sound advice, hang on in there xx

[Amber28]

Hi Michellem30. I work a recuitment consultant for support workers and care workers. My advice to you is to speak to your line manager urgently and let them know you can no longer hoist a service user. Make sure they do risk assesment on you as soon as possible. As you need to think about you and your baby.

Kind Regards,

Amber xxx