Lots of antenatal appointments

[Itscurtainsforyou]

I've just found out I'm pregnant after a number of losses. I'm keen not to tell anyone (including work) until I'm well into the 2nd trimester (if I make it that far).

My problem is that because of a pre-existing medical condition and also my previous losses, I will be having hospital antenatal appointments at least every two weeks, possibly every week. In my experience, these appointments can take anywhere from 45 minutes to half a day (seeing a number of different specialists, scans, tests, waiting time etc).

I'm worried that work will not be impressed with me taking this time off and may put pressure on me to re-arrange/cancel appointments to attend customer meetings etc.

I'm hoping that when I tell them why they will be understanding and accommodating (although not sure what to do if they're not...) but wracking my brain to figure out how I can get around telling them in the first few months.

Any advice please?

[squizita]

I would say you have to tell someone. It does not have to be your manager etc it can be HR and confidentially. I also had weekly scans/checks in the early weeks. If they didn't know it was pregnancy they could have fussed about it, but as HR knew, they had to honour each appointment.

[rockstars12]

I can understand how you feel. I didn't want to tell work, but I needed to leave for an emergency and ended up telling my manager at 6 weeks. She was very understanding and told only my line managers on a need to know basis. As you are entitled to paid leave for antenatal appointments it might be better to let only the boss know so you can get hassle free time off. They may be supportive and if they are not it's illegal to penalise you on the grounds of pregnancy. You are entitled to attend those appointments, so stand your ground.
Otherwise you will have to look into using holiday days, altering your shifts or making up for additional time where you can.

[Itscurtainsforyou]

Thanks - I guess telling them is probably the only solution really. Just so on edge anyway about the possible viability of this pregnancy after the last few I'm dreading telling anyone...

[frankiebuns]

U are entitled to b payed for maternity appts I am seeing conaultants specialists 3 times aweek and I didn't want to tell work I told hr and the kept schtum until I said , ppl weren't happy but u have to go, my line manager was really bad until I pulled her aside and said and she was ok then no one knew unti, I was 21 weeks