Pregnancy can bring a range of health challenges that affect your ability to work — from severe morning sickness to back pain, pelvic girdle pain, fatigue, and more serious complications. Here's how sick notes work during pregnancy.

IS PREGNANCY-RELATED SICKNESS TREATED DIFFERENTLY?

Yes — and importantly, it's treated more protectively. Pregnancy-related absence should not be counted against you in any attendance management process. Under the Equality Act 2010 and the Maternity and Paternity Leave Regulations, you have strong legal protections.

Any employer who penalises you for pregnancy-related absence risks a discrimination claim.

COMMON REASONS FOR PREGNANCY SICK NOTES

● Hyperemesis gravidarum (severe nausea and vomiting)

● Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) or symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD)

● Back pain

● Extreme fatigue

● High blood pressure or pre-eclampsia

● Threatened miscarriage or complications requiring rest

● Gestational diabetes complications

● Mental health conditions including antenatal depression or anxiety

DOES THE SICK NOTE SAY "PREGNANCY-RELATED"?

Your fit note can note that the condition is pregnancy-related, which is important to ensure it is processed separately from your ordinary sick leave record. Ask your doctor to make this clear on the note.

GETTING A PREGNANCY SICK NOTE ONLINE

At Dr Sick, we can issue fit notes for pregnancy-related conditions online. You'll describe your symptoms and how they're affecting your daily life and ability to work. If it's clinically appropriate, our GMC-registered doctors will issue your note the same day.

WHEN TO SEE YOUR MIDWIFE OR OBSTETRICIAN

For serious pregnancy complications, always seek care from your midwife, GP, or hospital team. Dr Sick is best suited for non-emergency pregnancy-related conditions where you need documentation of sickness absence.

Visit drsick.co.uk for your same-day pregnancy sick note.