DH and I have been TTC number 1 for 13 months now with no luck. A recent scan revealed potential Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, but all my blood tests are fine and I'm due to have a HSG (which checks for fallopian tube blockages) next week. I'm 36 years old (as of 3 months ago) and I'm due to see a fertility specialist in a few weeks. In all likelihood, I’ll be put on fertility drugs in the next month or so, e.g. metformin, the HSG is supposed to really help 'clear things out' and fingers crossed for a much wanted pregnancy.
My problem is that I hate my current job (a real culture of 'who can work the longest hours') and I've just seen an advert for an amazing job that I’d love to go for. It’s for a government department in a very similar role and to cut a long story short, I think I’d have a very good chance of getting it. My big worry is that if I apply for it and don’t take a break from TTC then Sod’s Law will mean that I could be starting the role when pregnant (possibly). The interviewing process is likely to take 1-2 months and then I may be forced to work 2-3 months’ notice for my current employers. With this in mind, I’m thinking that maybe my DH and I should put TTC on hold to see if I get this job and then resume TTC in 3-6 months?
Part of thinks believes I have to think of my long-term happiness and well-being, as my current job is a nightmare and will be even harder to juggle with a child. That said, I’m so scared of putting things on hold (even for a few months) as I've been completely focused on getting pregnant up until now. Temperature charting, fertility monitors, stupid horse pill sized vitamin tablets – you name it, I’m doing it.
Morally I think I’d be ok with starting a job in the knowledge that I want to get pregnant because I’d have every intention of going back to work (the amount we owe on the mortgage will be strong motivation!) and I’d be very committed to the job long-term. My DH has a decent job and we could survive (just) about on basic maternity pay.
I guess my question is: how long would you be prepared to delay things at 36 when it’s already been a year of TTC? Don’t stop trying: and potentially risk starting a new job in the first trimester with tiredness/sickness, plus hiding a pregnancy in a probation period? Or wait 3-6 months: and risk never getting that big fat positive? I really need some advice as I can’t concentrate on much at the moment and it’s really upsetting me. The stress of my current work, TTC and not being able to confide in anyone probably doesn't help! I'm also worried that the fertility consultant will think I'm a time waster.
Oh and I do realise that IABVU in thinking that A) I’ll magically get this dream job and B) it’ll suddenly get pregnant right away! I’ll probably end up failing the maths test or something. Sorry this is long – I didn't realise I had so much to waffle on about.