Pregnant teacher - when to tell school

[birdybirdbird]

I've just found out I'm pregnant and am a bit unsure about when I should inform school. Ideally I wouldn't tell them until after the 12 weeks scan. However, it's slightly complicated by the fact that our school has a a fair few of challenging children and I have a fairly good reputation for dealing with behaviour, am Team Teach trained etc. I'm really panicking about the prospect of being asked to help out in a situation that could potentially be a bit risky to me and baby. Also our school always seems to have so much chickenpox, slap cheek etc etc going round and am again very aware of being exposed to this. So any advice? Thanks!

[teaandbiscuitsforme]

If you're likely to get called for restraint, you're going to have to tell a few trusted colleagues. Whoever would normally be involved in those with you. You can't get yourself into that situation without knowing that your colleagues know you can't restrain. So much of those incidents rely on complete trust between the adults so you need to know they've got your back and you've got there's even though you can't physically get involved.

As for chicken pox etc, that's just par for the course for pregnant teachers unfortunately. Just keep away from confirmed cases as much as possible.

[BettyBettyBetty]

I would tell them now. I wouldn't want to be restraining a student when pregnant!

Good luck. As for chicken pox etc- just do your best to avoid.

[shushpenfold]

Have you had chicken pox?

[Bobbiepin]

I told hr when I needed time off for my booking appointment and I told one close colleague who could support if I needed. I didn't tell any other colleagues until after my scan and didn't tell my students until 18 weeks. HR were wonderfully supportive especially since I had awful morning sickness and really struggled at the beginning.

[Buxbaum]

There are blood tests which can check for parvovirus (slapped cheek) antibodies. The chances are that you have been exposed in the past and therefore have immunity. Are you sure that you haven’t had chickenpox?

I think you need to tell your line manager or headteacher.

[BackforGood]

What teaandbiscuits said.

[monkeysox]

As soon as possible as they'll do a risk assessment.

[PotteringAlong]

I told my head at 6 weeks in all 3 pregnancies - I needed time off for my booking in appointment, my school require proof of appointments before you’re left out in school time so I couldn’t get round it.

The head was the second person to know after my DH!

[tweetypi]

I told my head as soon as I know and he was really helpful - he pulled some strings in the background to make sure I didn't end up in uncomfortable situations. I also told the school nurse.
I'm still waiting for my 12 week scan so planning to tell my colleagues after that.

In your situation OP, I'd tell the head and a couple of close colleagues as soon as you can- the benefits for you outweigh the risks.

[birdybirdbird]

Sorry for my late reply - didn't get any notifications.

Really good advice - thank you everyone. Having thought on it, I will let a close colleague know as they can ensure I don't get called for restraint and will tell my head after half term. I have had chickenpox (twice!) so was worrying needlessly there and I must have some residence to slap cheek considering how often I've been exposed it.

[Bobbiepin]

Not to scare you but its quite unusual to have chicken pox more than once, you usually build up immunity to it after the first time. I'm sure it's nothing much but definiteky avoid chicken pox kids at work & maybe mention it to the midwife.

[birdybirdbird]

@Bobbiepin According to my mum I apparently had it very mildly as a baby and then full blown as a kid?? Maybe the first time wasn’t actually chicken pox but I definitely did as a kid. I will mention it though.