Dilemma - delaying TTC for maternity pay?

[Cheshiregal83]

Hi ladies, I’m brand new to mumsnet so pls forgive me if I ramble here!! I’m age 35 with PCOS and irregular periods. My hubby and I stopped using protection about 6 months ago but no pregnancy as yet - and I’ve got the ball rolling with fertility tests which are ongoing. (Currently getting bloods checked to confirm or rule out lack of ovulation). My dilemma is that I started a new job last week - it’s a permanent job for a big employer - but the maternity pay doesn’t kick in until I have a decent stint of service under my belt. Basically we would have to wait another six months before conceiving for me to get the full pay. We are not money orientated people but we would need the full maternity pay to cover our mortgage. At the same time I’m reading Daily Mail articles about the “biological clock”. My dilemma is - do we press ahead TTC or delay another six months until later in the year, when our financial situation is more secure but I’ll be 36 and another year older!!! 🥺 any thoughts/advice very much appreciated. Thanks for reading!

I wouldn't wait if I was you.
You could look into taking a mortgage holiday when on Mat leave and in the meantime try and save every penny you can whilst ttc'ing.
Also if you're not sure you're ovulating think about opks and temping as they can help determine if you are.
Good luck x

If you can’t pay your mortgage how would you manage? Have you got savings or could you as the other poster suggested take a mortgage holiday? I wouldn’t put myself in financial hardship for the sake of 6 months, if you said you had to wait 2 years I’d say don’t, but 6 months isn’t very long, even at 36. Also don’t take them articles about fertility after 35 as gospel, obviously fertility declines with age, but it doesn’t drop off a cliff face the day you turn 35.

Thanks for the advice both! We do have some (modest) savings but would struggle tbh with only the statutory maternity pay. Delaying by another six months would definitely make the financial situation much better..... just hope that 36 isnt “too old” to become a first time mum x

It's definitely not too old. I was 40 when I had my DS. However having tried for 2 years to have a second child I know how hard it can be and I can't imagine how I'd feel if I struggled with ttc the first time as this is hard enough so I'm probably biased and would tell anyone not to wait !

I'd start now with opks and temping and charting cervical mucus etc. Fertility friend is a good app that's free. It will help you understand your cycles and will stand you in good stead for when you are ready to ttc.