I’ll try not to drag on but I’m just looking for a bit of advice / to know if anyone has been through something similar.
Im 25 weeks pregnant with my first baby / first pregnancy.
My full time job is quite physically&mentally draining so I’ve had the last of couple weeks off work due to sciatica and mental health. (Signed off by doc with ‘pregnancy related symptoms’)
I don’t really do anything whilst I’m home except clean and play video games, mainly because I can’t stand for long but also with my mental health being bad, I don’t feel like doing anything. I can’t even go for a walk because I’m in pain all the time.
During my time off I had a week holiday booked for my wedding and it went ahead and I got married, it really was the best day of my life, despite the being in pain. But none of my family know I’ve had the time off because I know they’ll just judge me if I was to tell them. Also, work don’t know that I got married (or they may know from social media) but I feel like if I tell them, they’ll question my sickness / time off?!
I feel like I should be at work but my doctor has literally recommended I don’t as it could be contributing to making my sciatica worse.
I feel awful lying to my family but right now not talking to anyone and not getting any real human interaction whilst at home is driving me up the wall. And I don’t think i’m very nice to come home to for my husband, he works so hard and is up at 5am every morning and I complain when he wants to go to bed early because I’ve missed him so much…
I have massive imposter syndrome where I feel like I’m making it all up and that I should be stronger. I didn’t realise pregnancy was going to feel like this and I feel really disappointed in myself.
Sorry - I did drag on a bit but thanks for reading xx
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Pregnancy is tough. I don't know why people assume it's easy. Your literally growing a human. It's so draining and it affects every part of you. You've got this lovely. If se has signed you off then ignore others opinions (if you decide to tell them). Ask your midwife/GP to refer you to the perinatal mental health team. They are amazing and specialise in mental health during pregnancy and until baby turns 1 x

Well first off get your doctor to get you a note for your job I did and as for your family, they ain’t your family anymore if all they do is judge bc baby listen I cut off so many of my so called family. All they like to do I talk and judge but they can do that to each other not to me bc I got a mouth and I’ll hurt everyone feelings at a family reunion if they try me or my unborn child

Oh girlie, I can empathise a bit as I have had multiple chronic illnesses for years and the amount of times I question myself (as others do too) why can I do X and not X, is really mentally exhausting! It's good that your doctor has agreed that you can't work, they wouldn't say that unless they truly believed it, lol trust me! But you know your body and its saying to rest up and look after you and bubba right now. That's the most important thing ❤️

Pregnancy is Hard!!
I quit my job when I was only 13 weeks because I had horrific sciatica and my feet swelled so much that both my big toenails went black from my shoes being too tight and I was on my feet for 8-9 hours a day.
Having a hard pregnancy isn't something you should feel ashamed about!
I am now a SAHM with my 16 month old and love games if you want to connect I'm up for a game ☺️ my son naps around 11 most days