When is it appropriate to skip work?

[grapebaby]

I'm 18 weeks and 3 days along and I came down with a nasty cold on Tuesday! I'm sneezing three or four times every hour (ouch in the tummy!), sore throat, BAD runny/stuffy nose ( I can never seem to blow my nose enough) and I am also hacking up mucus (which triggers me to eventually throw up)

I was supposed to work at 9am today, the rain was coming down and I would have had to walk in it. My questions are these: this cold is going on four days long. Can colds be dangerous for baby or my body during pregnancy? Also, I feel guilty to call into work twice this week!! Do you think its appropriate? Thanks ladies!

 

[greenpear]

There is not much you can do about having a cold and there are most medications that you can't take. YOu and baby will be ok, make sure it's not bacterial or anything though. As for skipping work - if you are not getting better no sense in spreading your germs around the workplace. Even if you weren't preggo the right thing to do would be to stay in for few days and then go. I hope you have sick days to cover.

 

[purplecupcake]

I follow the same guidelines as I did before becoming pregnant - call out if I am contagious (this is actually a requirement for my job since I work with kids), or if I were ever to have tummy problems that required frequent trips to the bathroom I would also call out then.

 

[wookie130]

And I'd like to add that you should really monitor your temp. If you're running a fever of 100 degrees F or higher, you really should call your doctor, and be seen. Tylenol (or paracetamol, if you're in the UK) is safe in small doses during pregnancy to help with fevers and/or body aches.

But honestly, if you're feeling that terrible, I'd probably stay home. You could use the rest, take a nice warmish bath, breathe in some steam for your head/to decongest, and just sleep, if need be.

 

[emicakess]

I say it's 100% okay for you to miss work woke sick especially while pregnant! The fact that you are worried about it shows that you care! If say if you are not feeling well stay home and recover, take care of yourself I.kissed two days last week due to a cold. I felt guilty too but ultimately was happy I did it

 

[Gizzyy]

Well I worked in an abattoir as a QC in the beginning of my pregnancy and it's required that if you have a stomach bug you should give it 48 hrs before returning. Of course I don't think morning sickness would count for me as it isn't contagious but I've had a really bad cold/hayfever/flu type thing lately too. Hope you feel better soon hun. Rest up x

 

[krissie328]

I have taken sick time quite a few days this pregnancy. I am working on what is best for me and baby is more iimportant than any workI am doing. I feel terrible as the impact is huge at work, but getting sicker will only mean more damage in the long run. Feel better!

 

[mrs owl]

I had the flu last week (even though I got the flu vaccination) and I called in sick for a day - it's now been a week and I'm still sick, the flu really takes the toll on the body when you pregnant. Hope you feel better soon!

 

[squirrel.]

If you really feel like you'd be worse off for going in and it would make you more ill then stay at home. Only you can know how you're feeling and if you'd be okay to go in.

I had three terrible colds, sinusitus twice, HFAM and flu between the period of November to the beginning of March (only just got well again). I also lost my voice for three days during one of the colds. I knew with all my illness that I had to keep going in, because otherwise I think I'd have been off almost every week (though luckily for me...or unluckily...the worst of my illnesses and ailments happened during holidays). If it had only been the one illness I'd have taken time off definitely, but as I was so frequently ill, I sort of got used to feeling awful. Mornings were painful for such a long time. I am so happy to have got past that massive run of illnesses.

I'm a teacher and there's the added problem of it being a massive headache if I don't go in - for the school to get a supply and for me to have my class effectively fall a day behind (and to get back to find my classroom a state usually as well!).

x

 

[sunshine03]

Hi, I have just got over a terrible cold and missed work for 2 days (I only work 2.5 days anyway). I thought, I wasn't going to do my job properly, pass it onto everyone else and it's not just me too think about. My 2yr old was with grandparents and nursery anyway so I took the 2 days to recover, sleep, relax and let my body get over the cold. I feel so much better and really glad I did. I don't so phoning in sick but I really thought it was the best thing. Xx

 

[baileybubs]

When you are ill it makes you tired, when you are pregnant it makes you tired, add them both together and you'll be super tired and not necessarily be any use to anyone at work, or at least that's how I see it! Plus you need all your energy to fight off illness when pregnant so it's best to rest up if you feel bad enough to stay at home. I have called in twice this week, once because I just felt like rubbish, and once because I had toothache (turns out I felt rubbish the first time because I have an abcessed tooth so both were related) but I felt so silly calling in sick with toothache!!! But to be honest I hadn't slept I felt awful and I would have been useless to everyone so it was better I wasn't there and they could get someone else in who would have been much more help lol!

Resting is the best cure for being ill so definately rest up and hope you feel better soon x

 

[sandilion]

You did the right thing by calling in sick. Tale all the time you need i say - our health comes before work. Plus being sick while pregnant is extra tough. Rest up, don't feel guilty - you've done the right thing by looking after yourself.

 

[grapebaby]

THANK YOU LADIES!! I am feeling better this week, I hope all you are too!!!!

 

[sprite30]

I've taken more time off then I'd like to admit too for only being 13+3 especially since I didn't have much morning sickness at all but the exhaustion is horrible. It seems like I had 3 illnesses back to back to back and I now have this lingering flu now which really hit me hard. I work from home so it makes it look worse because it's not like I can infect anyone but I seriously would have done them no good when exhausted like that. Today I took 4 hours off and last week I took 2 hours off just so I could take a nap lol

 

[grapebaby]

I've taken more time off then I'd like to admit too for only being 13+3 especially since I didn't have much morning sickness at all but the exhaustion is horrible. It seems like I had 3 illnesses back to back to back and I now have this lingering flu now which really hit me hard. I work from home so it makes it look worse because it's not like I can infect anyone but I seriously would have done them no good when exhausted like that. Today I took 4 hours off and last week I took 2 hours off just so I could take a nap lol

Haha you sound like me, being too hard on yourself!! Get some rest, girl!!

 

[Brassandsass]

Follow your gut... If you need rest take it! I hope you feel better soon

 

[mnicole]

I would absolutely call in sick!!! Work is not important enough to risk your health over. I used to be one of those people who would go in on my death bed, but, some devastating pregnancy loss experiences and high work stress levels I learned that work does not come first.
Stay home, take care of yourself, and get some much needed R&R! I hope you have employers who will be understanding!

 

[mysteriouseye]

My last pregnancy I didn’t call in sick once I never got ill, but I think having my toddler has made me catch every illness going, and when I have got to work and felt REALLY terrible I have instantly gone home, plus if my daughter caught the bug/illness I would take a day off too, being pregnant is shattering enough as it is let alone having an illness xx

 

[bumpbear]

I've always worked with very sympathetic bosses so I would treat it the same as if I wasn't pregnant to be honest - so if it wasn't contagious or really bad, I would go in. My employers have always varied work loads to suit whatever ailment staff were dealing with and if they noticed you were struggling, they'd suggest you take it easy/go home. I feel that if you're getting paid for sick leave, you should make every effort to go in unless you REALLY can't. That is just my experience though.