Work

[lollyone]

I'm only 7 weeks pregnant so really don't want to tell my work that I'm pregnant yet, but I'm so tired ALL the time and also sick all day long for the last 2 weeks. How has anyone else got round these things? I dont work with my boss day to day but they obviously know what work I'm doing (or not getting done!). I know technically I dont have to tell them until I'm 20 weeks but realistically I dont really know where I stand. Also, how do I pass off time to see midwife etc?
Thanks in advance
L x

[andrea81]

I'm of the opinion that you should be as open and honest with your employer, reason being is that the law is on your side anyway, they have to put your health first and will need to take steops to ensure you can do your job, whilst accomodating your needs i.e. appointments, sickness etc!

At least if you do let your work slip due to being ill, they will know there is a perfectly good reason for it!

When I was pregnant, I told my immediate boss, who I answer to, we kept it to ourselves untill I was 20 weeks, but at leasts he knew why I was a bit off-ish!

[lollyone]

Thanks for your quick reply andrea.
I wanted to wait until at least my 1st scan but to be honest I've been so lethargic by the afternoon I'm hardly getting anything done. Which probably means it would be best to tell them I suppose, they cant sack me for being like this if I'm pregnant and they know, can they? God, a few weeks back I wanted the tiredness and sickness cos I couldn't believe I was pregnant, I felt so good. I should've been careful what I wished for :o)
L x

[andrea81]

Definatly, think it's a good idea. If you have a HR person there too, I would also have a word there as they will know the correct steps for you i.e. risk assesments etc..

Congrats chick x x x

[redcrx]

i agree with Andrea, you really ought to tell them if youre struggling with work. Its awful in the first few weeks with sickness and tiredness, this usualkly passes around the 12 week mark though.

You can ask your boss to keep it quiet from anyone that doesnt need to know.

[Psychick]

I told my boss at about 7 weeks too and for the same reasons. She respected my wishes to keep it quiet until I was ready to let people know. Shame I couldnt keep my big mouth shut though! lol

Your first scan should be at about 12 weeks so you havent got long to wait. Can I ask what you do? Is it the type of job where you can go and put your feet up and have a cuppa if necessary?

[Trixy_89]

I'm nearly 9 weeks pregnant and only me and my partner know. I havn't been at my place of work for long about 3-4 months, and when i found out i was pregnant i was so scared of telling my boss incase they started acting funny towards me. I also have an under-active thyroid and i'm anemic so i feel very sick and tired most of the time and rarely have any energy. My job involves being on my feet all day and theres only so much you can take before you need to sit down and have a break. I finally told my boss, and you'd be suprised how well your boss will react. Just catch them at the right time and ask if you may have a word in private. If there worth working for then i'm sure there'll be understanding.
Laura x

[k8bailey]

I agree with trixy and everyone else, I had been at my job 2 1/2 days before I found out I was pregnant, I managed to keep quiet untill 10 wks but only coz I was so scared of what they'd say, I lied about why I needed time off fo MW appointments etc, but when I did tell them it was such a relief, they were great about it and did a health and safety check to see if there were any risks to me or my bump.

My advice is bite the bullet, ask for it to kept confidential. it's better to have someone know whats going on just in case!

[beverleymot]

i'm an air hostess and i found out i was pregnant at 3 weeks!! understandably i had to tell them straight away due to the risk of flying while pregnant so there are employers out there who do have your best interests at heart. im sure your boss will be completely understanding and as every1 has said they will not tell anyone unless you say its ok. do you work in a risky environment?

[lollyone]

Hi,
no not risky really. I drive a lot which doesnt seem to help the sickness. Psychick, am able to stop for a cuppa I suppose but its the sort of company that they are always over your shoulder and I'm always having to watch my back. I think I will tell them this week, Thanks for all your advice people. There are some lovely, helpful people on here.
L x

[carron81]

hi

i'm 35 weeks pregnant and suffered really bad sickness from the start of my pregnancy up until 5 months pregnant.

I had to tell my work because I was being that sick and just not doing anything right. I wasn't eating and I just felt ill. I wasn't getting any breaks at work and that just made me worse

I did feel better for telling them even thoughi didn't want to to tell them. At least they knew why I was running to the toilet so much.

It depends what your work place are like. My work had been messing me about and changing jobs before I told them and really nothing much changed once I told them. They continued to mess me about and werent' very understanding when I asked for breaks or taking time off for midwife appointments