I'm 15 weeks pregnant, unplanned. I've had to come off my meds (Lithium & Lamotrigine) and worrying about relapsing. Work sacked me when they found out I was pregnant, can't get any benefits because I live with my partner who works full time.
New to the area, moved here 8 months ago. Got a new perinatal psych & midwife CPN. Think the psych thought I was full of crap when I saw her last week. Not coping too well, but not too bad really, don't feel manic, no bad behaviour, just worrying, irritable etc.
Not sure what to do. Seeing CPN for first time in a couple of weeks, GP knows what is going on. Not sleeping.
If you have been sacked because you are pregnant go to a lawyer and get them done for discrimination because employes aren't by law meant to be fired just because they are pregnant.
do you see a gp can you talk to them about it maybe see another psych ?
im 14 weeks pregnant and ive come off most of my medication i have an appointment with the perinatal psych next month but i also have my cpn and psychologist and normal psychitrist as well as my midwife for support. can you not not ask for cpn from the CMHT? (community mental health team)
if you need help then feel free to pm me! its hard being off meds and suddenly people expecting you to be stable and normal because you have a baby to think about!
Bramble - where are you? In the UK it is against the law to sack someone for saying they are pregnant. I agree with the above, that you should speak to CAB and ACAS about this.
Also - what benefits have you applied for? Being in a house with someone on full wage does not mean you can not receive any benefits at all. Do ask about this at CAB - as they can help you find what you can apply for, and even help you fill in the forms.
You are still entitled to benefits, even job-seekers, seeing as you have been fired from a job on un-reasonable grounds.
The only reason living with your partner would prevent you getting benefits, would be if your partner earns a very high amount per annum (which would put you over the total per household earnings threashold) as this is unlikely (I am assuming your partner does not work in a bank or law firm), do be aware that you have a right to earn an amount of money as an individual and that it is the joint earnings of two people living together, added up that create the income threshold.
Be gentle with yourself and do keep your support network informed of how you are coping. They need to know what is going on for you, so do contact them regularly and ask for support where you need it,
Roiben x
If the Human brain were so simple that we could understand it, we would be so simple that we wouldn't.
I can't get any benefits, I spoke to Social Services Welfare dept, they said I've not been 'ill' long enough for employment support, and apparently I can't apply for other benefits for another few months, by which time I will be having baby! Can't get council tax benefit or anything like that because of my partners wage (he is on £26kpa).
I might call CAB though, and check with them again, thanks. I've got a disability pack, but not got round to filling it in.
Overall, I'm doing ok. I'm not manic, although I do feel very down a lot of the time. The horrible thing is feeling like I hate my baby - that it's already ruined my life, and my partners. I've had to put my horse on loan because I can't ride or afford to keep him, lost my job, can't face going to interviews and getting another. But I'm not 'mad' enough to need help.
Blergh.
Thanks for the kind replies, I just need a head splurge.
as long as you have had the illness for 4 days or more and can't work you should be eligible (depending (in partners income/your NI contributions) unless you're aged 16-20 in which case you have to be ill for 28 weeks (op too ill to work before you were 20? If your partner earns as 26k, it will come down to you NI contributions, if you'd made enough you'd get contributions bases ESA.
Regardless of that DLA is not means tested, so you should be able to apply for that, i and someone else i know with bipolar both get mid rate care and low rate mobility, its worth looking into hun.
sorry things are crappy
Life Is Like A Beautiful Melody Only The Lyrics Are Messed Up
