New baby versus job - Advise please!

[RachelRose]

Hi, am new here but wondered if I could get some opinions...

To cut a long story short I was made redundant when 4 months pregnant with DS2. A month later I lost the baby. After a few months of getting my head round everything I looked for a new job, but just couldn't find anything in my field part time - so had to take a full time job that I do actually enjoy.

The post mortem results for Henry (DS2) showed a genetic disorder which means I have a 1 in 4 chance of this fatal condition happening again.

I've finally plucked up the courage to think about trying again but have only been in my job for 4 months. Should I wait until I'm more settled in my job before I try again? I know a job is infinitly less important than a healthy child but at the same time I was made redundant during my last pregnancy and dont want my new company to get rid of me or think badly of me as financially I have to work. BUT, we've decided we'd like to try again and ideally I dont want to wait as there may be another problem.

Sorry this is really rambling but I'm torn between waiting another year (head talking) or starting now (heart talking).

Any advise? Especially from anyone who has become pregnany early into a new job.

Hi RachelRose, so sorry about DS2, it must have been such a hard thing to come to terms with but if you really have plucked up the courage to try again then follow your heart.

I really really wouldn't worry about what your employer thinks of you cos no matter how long you wait, if they are going to think badly of you they will do it the same now as they would in six years time (believe me I know from experience...I am ranting about this on another thread as we speak!!)

As far as maternity pay/leave is concerned it doesn't matter how long you've worked for employer for you are still entitled to it; if you are wanting to take the additional unpaid 6 months you have to have completed 26 weeks with employer when you fall pregnant.

Hope this helps a little

I have not been in a similar position, but I am applying for new jobs even though I have just found out I am expecting. Assuming you are in the UK, then your employer cannot dismiss you on the grounds of being pregnant, or treat you differently, so if they do, you should consider taking action. There is new legislation coming into effect which includes the right to 9 months maternity pay as of April 2007, and you don't have to be with your employer 26 weeks to be entitled to additional maternity leave. I suggest you check this out: www.dti.gov.uk/employment/workandfamilies/maternity-leave-pay/index.html
Therefore my advice is to go with your heart, and challenge any unfair treatment if it does happen. Good luck. HTH

I found out I was pregnant less than 3 months after I started a new job. It wasn't planned, and I apologised to my boss when I told him! But he - and my company - couldn't have been more supportive! They were brilliant, letting me work from home more etc during the pregnancy, sending me loads of flowers when DS was born.

Legally, there's nothing your company can do about it, and if you've been there more than 26 weeks when your baby is born you should be entitled to Maternity pay. (My company also hired someone who was 6 months pregnant when shen started the job!)

Wow Chully your company sounds great and very forward thinking. I think I am so paranoid as I managed to prove that my last company got rid of me because of my pregnancy (had been with the company 9 years so was disgusted at this). Even though I received compensation in an out of court settlement I'm really twitchy about it.

But thanks for your comments - Its definately helped.