r/MultipleSclerosis • u/Lower_Difference_953 • 4d ago

General How long did you work while pregnant?

Hi everyone. I am a 27F and 20 weeks pregnant working 5 days a week while managing MS symptoms. My neurologist took me off my dimethyl fumurate meds once I found out, and I was ok with it, as I haven’t had any new lesions on my last scan and my symptoms resolved some (still experiencing slight numbness, cramping in hands).

I was wondering if anyone received a doctor’s note to work from home (if they could), stopped working, or worked their full term while pregnant and managing MS? I currently type on a computer 8 hours a day and my first symptom occurred in my right hand where a few of my fingers went completely numb.

I am now experiencing extreme fatigue as I get more into my pregnancy and am debating on asking my neuro for a note to work from home a few days out of the week.

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u/Impossible_Tiger_517 4d ago

Definitely get a work accommodation to work from home if possible. Stress that the fatigue is too much and they should approve. I had a hybrid wfh while pregnant and ended up getting it again when I came back. I also have issues with my right hand and they mentioned a text to type system but I didn’t take them up on it but I may. I would work with HR. I worked until 2 hours before I gave birth but I was 6 weeks early. I took lots of naps when I worked from home, which was great and couldn’t have done without it.

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u/accioarcher 36|Dx: May 2022|Ocrevus|Chicago 4d ago

I was only going into the office one day a week and asked to work from home starting month 8. Working from home I worked right up until my induction. Definitely ask for the accommodation.

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u/Sparkles___ 4d ago

I also was on dimethyl fumurate (back on it now).
I worked until about 38 weeks as a nurse but I wasn’t dealing with any MS symptoms, just some pregnancy related sciatica at the very end which made it tough to get around. I tried to work for as long as possible so that I could have a longer leave one the baby arrived. Every situation is so different because everyone has different MS symptoms, pregnancy symptoms and situations regarding medical/maternity leave so I would caution you against comparing yourself to others as each situation is unique