I'm suffering with HG (Hyperemesis gravidarum)

[Liz Rolly]

I'm in need of advice, I'm 21 years old and 12 weeks pregnant. I was referred to hospital not long back as i had become very dehydrated to the point i couldn't continue simple life activities. I was given 5 fluid bags and some sickness tablets (cyclizine) i later found out i am pregnant with identical twins.

I've always been very good with work and had little time off and this is the first time ive had to be off for sickness. So far I've had 2 weeks off but unfortunately i haven't been feeling better at all, i spoke to my manager and she said it's becoming unfair on the other staff members which leaves me feeling incredibly guilty. I don't know whether i should leave my work place, as i really can't see myself getting better any time soon. I'm really struggling, I've done everything i can to keep them updated on my situation. Can someone give me advice on what to do?

 

[Cmacq]

I'm in need of advice, I'm 21 years old and 12 weeks pregnant. I was referred to hospital not long back as i had become very dehydrated to the point i couldn't continue simple life activities. I was given 5 fluid bags and some sickness tablets (cyclizine) i later found out i am pregnant with identical twins.

I've always been very good with work and had little time off and this is the first time ive had to be off for sickness. So far I've had 2 weeks off but unfortunately i haven't been feeling better at all, i spoke to my manager and she said it's becoming unfair on the other staff members which leaves me feeling incredibly guilty. I don't know whether i should leave my work place, as i really can't see myself getting better any time soon. I'm really struggling, I've done everything i can to keep them updated on my situation. Can someone give me advice on what to do?

When you are pregnant by law your employer needs to make reasonable adjustments that will support you.
I would meet with them again and ask for a minuted discussion with your manager and someone from HR of you can. Explain your recent medical needs and the impact this is having on you. Express that although they feel this is unfair this is not an unreasonable amount of absence in the circumstances.
I wouldn't quit, you have many rights now that your pregnant for the very reason that your emplyere must support you not make you feel bad x

 

[WinterWolf]

Agree with above - they have to accomodate your pregnancy. They wouldn’t say if you were having time off for an actual disease that it’s unfair on others. HG is horrendous and is a medical condition so they need to treat you as a sick person.

Unfortunately HG tends to stick around until 18-20 weeks and with twins it might be even worse! You’re in it for the long haul I’m afraid.

 

[Aurora_J]

Hi as said above they have to accommodate you at work. I personally put a grievance in if my manager tried to make me feel guilty about my hg.

I would ring your doctors and request new anti sickness tablets as cyclazine is not that good. I tried all of them and for me ondansetron is the best one but they won't prescribed it till you try the others in my area.
I'm still being sick at 23 weeks and can't manage with out my meds and have taken alot of time off work the last few months.

 

[Radleycat]

By law sickness related to pregnancy cannot count on your record. Your manager is an idiot who is ill informed and should be very careful about what they say to you and how they treat you. Go to your gp and get signed off if you are still suffering and also ask for better anti sickness drugs. Cyclizine probably won't touch hg. You'd be better off with metoclopramide but better still ondansetron. They don't prescribe those ones straight away as they try a step approach to see what works for you. With the ondansetron also make sure you get something for constipation because it really is bad for that, although it does stop the sickness. It's also a bit more expensive hence why they don't offer it first.

Defintely don't leave your work for this reason as you wouldn't qualify for maternity pay by another employer if you changed jobs now. Do you have a union rep or anything like that in your work?

And have a read of this
Pregnancy and maternity discrimination - Acas Mobile

 

[Radleycat]

Also find out what your sickness entitlement is per year at your job. For instance mine is 4 months full pay in a year.

 

[night owl]

Agree with everything the others have said - your manager is well out of line saying that to you - I would make a note of what was said including the time and date and whether there was any witnesses to it, I feel for you cos you are young and I probably would have been too scared to speak up at your age too, but please do not roll over and just take it, and don’t quit your job, as firstly you shouldn’t feel like you have to and secondly because of entitlement to things like maternity pay etc, they can’t take pregnancy related absences into account for any attendance related disciplinary, they can’t discriminate against you because you are pregnant, or make you feel guilty that you are so ill, I would print out the acas guidance on pregnancy absences and take it into a documented meeting with you manager with another person there such as HR as someone else has suggested, I think your manager hasn’t got a clue what they are doing

I’ve had loads of sick leave this year, 2 weeks when I had a miscarriage, and a good few weeks with severe sickness with this current pregnancy, every single day of it has been pregnancy related so there isn’t a damn thing my employer can do about it!

Hope you start to feel better soon x