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Original poster

Back to back maternity leaves

22 replies

increasinglyconcerned · 22/08/2024 19:33

I took 11 months off with DD and have been back at work just 6 months only to fall pregnant again. I honestly thought it would take months, we are not very active in the bedroom!!

Nervous to tell work as I've just put my hat in the ring for my old bosses role and I am the most senior in the team, so will likely get it.

Do I tell them? I'm anxious these things take time and by the time it goes through I will be off on maternity again 6-7 months later.

In general has anyone had back to back maternity leaves, did you worry everyone was taking about you?

OP posts:
Lindjam · 22/08/2024 19:36

Fuck no. Don’t tell them until you have to, just apply for the promotion in the usual way.

I worked with a senior manager who had three back to back maternity leaves and people respected her.

RandomMess · 22/08/2024 19:40

Anything could happen. Don't say anything and apply for the job.

biscuitcat · 22/08/2024 19:52

Agree, definitely don't tell them.

I returned from my first maternity leave pregnant and no one said anything to me apart from congratulations. We've actually just had someone return from maternity to a big promotion she was awarded while on leave (or possibly very heavily pregnant, don't quite recall - but awarded with the knowledge that she'd not be taking it up for months), and there's been no resentment at all as she's the right person for the job.

Glittertwins · 22/08/2024 20:04

Just apply for it and see how it pans out

Needanewname42 · 22/08/2024 20:10

How far on are you, ie is it noticeable? If not say nothing and apply for the role..

IWouldRatherBeOnHoliday · 22/08/2024 20:17

It sounds like you're going to have a fairly standard age gap between your children - just over two years? Loads of people do this! I'd assume back to back mat leave was not returning in between!

Apply for the promotion, they can't discriminate but personally I wouldn't mention the pregnancy until you know the outcome of the job application. Someone will just have to cover for you when you're off.

Good luck, and congratulations on baby no 2!

Crunchymum · 22/08/2024 20:18

It's not "back to back" if you've been back at work for 6 months?

Ilikeviognier · 22/08/2024 20:21

I went back to work 20 weeks pregnant - and then had to leave again early as he was born at 35 weeks - I only went back for around 3.5 months! It was fine. You’ll be fine.

ACynicalDad · 22/08/2024 20:22

Look after yourself.

owladventure · 22/08/2024 20:27

So you will have been back at work over a year by the time of your next leave? 14/15 months?

That's not back to back maternity leave, that's a common gap as pp says. Back to back maternity leave means getting pregnant whilst on the first maternity leave.

Nobody will care about you going on maternity leave 14/15 months after returning or 6/7 months after promotion. I have colleagues who were promoted whilst on maternity leave and nobody batted an eyelid!

You're overthinking.

Crysti · 22/08/2024 20:30

Say nothing

ScottishDora · 22/08/2024 20:31

That's nothing, I worked with someone who started the job pregnant, went off on mat leave and returned pregnant again.

HollyBollyBooBoo · 22/08/2024 20:32

I wouldn't consider it back to back to be honest, to me that's when you come back from mat leave pregnant!

Don't tell them until you need to and definitely apply for the role!

HollyBollyBooBoo · 22/08/2024 20:32

And congrats on your pregnancy!

Strugglebus86 · 22/08/2024 20:39

I did this and no one thought it was anything but normal, I'd not worry about it at all.
The same would have happened the second time but I miscarried...now pregnant again and while every one thinks I'm mad they're happy for me and I just got a promotion.

DoublePeonies · 22/08/2024 20:42

You'll have been back a year before you go off again? That's not back to back.

Back to back is coming back to work 18-25 weeks pregnant to go back off again on full pay.
Eyebrows were raised when the same lady then announced at the end of ML 2 that leave for baby 3 was going to start the day after the previous years leave ended.

NDmumoftwo · 22/08/2024 20:46

I worked with someone who got pregnant again soon after first child was born. She took just over 2 years without coming back.

Izzymoon · 22/08/2024 20:48

You’ve got 4 months before you would tell them, more if you wanted to push it. I don’t think it’s that back to back.
Plenty of women get pregnant while on mat leave!

JaxiiTaxii · 22/08/2024 20:50

Just to repeat what everyone else is saying - 2 years is a really average age gap.

I wanted to go back pregnant but it took about 6m to conceive DC2 so about the same as you. It was absolutely fine.

Nobody will blink.
All the best for a straightforward pregnancy.

Snowfairyxx · 22/08/2024 20:52

It's not back to back, you should apply for the job as they shouldn't discriminate.
A girl at work got pregnant while on her first maternity leave quite early. She came back to work a bit early as her second was due 11 months after the first was born. She needed to be back at work for so long to get her second maternity I think. It was fine and she is still working there.

HamHook · 22/08/2024 20:56

I work with a lady who just got promoted 2 months into her maternity leave!! A pretty senior role too.

She's not due back until early next year. Job came up in her department. She applied. She got it. They'll find cover until she's back.

She was the right candidate it was as simple as that. No other agenda.

Honestly don't worry about it. I mean I would probably keep quiet too in your shoes - up till the legal limit - can't remember now - if it's 20 or 24 weeks. Double check that.

Didimum · 22/08/2024 21:29

It’s not back to back and it’s not an unusual age gap. You’re fine.

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