Hypermesis gravadium disorder and work

S.

S.S

I’m a teacher in the UK and Ive suffered with really severe hypermesis gravadium since 5 weeks pregnant. I’m now 16.5 weeks and still nearly everyday is a bad day. I can’t keep food or water down, constantly vomiting.. but I’ve still been dragging myself into work. I’m a teacher (Primary) and it’s been really hard going into work and acting the same infront of the kids.. but I worry that if I get signed off work- the boss won’t be happy or understanding.

The past 3 weeks, I have been sent home from work once a week because I’ve been vomiting in class and I’ve been so faint- it’s been impossible to carry on. Today I finally

Decided to be brave enough and call in sick and make myself priority... and the boss was really pissed off with me over the phone and hung up whilst I was explaining my situation on the phone. I feel sooo shit.

The school knows i had difficulties with conceiving and then have suffered with 2 previous miscarriages in the past 9

Months. But I feel so alone right now that I’m going through this and nobody understands. It’s not the typical morning sickness, I can’t just get over it. I wish I could. I’ve lost 4 kg when I’m supposed to be putting on the weight and it’s so emotionally and mentally draining as well that I’m unable to eat or do anything I once used to be able to do.

Anyone have any advice on how I should go on about the situation without losing my job? I hate my job with how the staff have been so mean towards me through my difficulties but I can’t survive financially without it (especially now baby is on the way)

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COMMENT (6)

Ke

Posted at
They can’t fire you for that. You have so many protections as a pregnant woman in the U.K. do you have a hr dept? Do you get paid sick pay? If you get paid sick pay I would get your doctor to sign you off for a week, really take it slow and try to recoup, hopefully you won’t suffer with this your whole pregnancy. If you have a HR dept reach out to them to see how they can help you during this tough time. Contact ACAS to find out your rights. If you are continuously sick they can make you start your maternity leave early.

G

Posted at
Speak to your union! That's not OK.

Ni

Nic • Jun 23, 2020
Definitely speak to your union. You’re not allowed to be sacked for anything related to pregnancy. If you’re sick, you’re sick. Simples.

Mo

Monixxx • Jun 23, 2020
I second this. Ring your union!

Al

Posted at
I suffered with severe hyperemesis during my pregnancy to the point I was hospitalized. I also pushed myself over the limit because of work. But knowing what I know now its not worth it. For the sake of you and your baby rest. Its so dangerous which I didnt know i was so dehydrated because I couldn't keep anything down I was told I wS close to going into coma. I was put on ondansatron for it and although I didn't want to take medication it was the best thing for me. My baby is healthy and I managed to gain some weight as I lost just over 2st.If you need more advice or help. Give us a message.Take care of yourself xx

Ka

Posted at
I was a teacher before I had my daughter. They cannot fire you. They can’t even make you take mat leave early or anything (until over 36 weeks). They have to allow you time off for every appointment and they need to make reasonable allowances in work. I would talk to your doctor or midwife and get signed or for a short time to allow you to get yourself together and in this time talk to either union or HR. At my school I struggled in second trimester with tiredness, they did help by making sure I always had a TA in my room even if they were doing other work so I wasn’t on my own. They definitely aren’t the most accommodating profession to work in unfortunately and teacher guilt gets the better of us but you need to think of you and baby above everything else right now.