TTC when been in job less than six months?

[NotBehindTheRadiatorPlease]

Hi all. I shall first preface this by saying I am not currently pregnant or TTC.

I would LOVE to have another baby fairly soon, as would my partner (we already have a DD who is nearly 3). However, I only started my current job in mid May, so have only been there for just under 5 months. I love it and am planning to stay here for the foreseeable, but am worried how they would react if I got pregnant soon. I have already passed my probation, been getting glowing feedback from my manager, and would be entitled to SMP, so really the only thing holding me back is the fact I haven't been there that long!

Would you TTC in my situation or leave it a few more months? I am 26 and my partner is 30.

Thank you 😊

Also, not sure if it makes any difference but I work with chemicals so would probably have to tell them ASAP so they could do a risk assessment.

You should make your decisions about your family based on your own needs and feelings as a family. Don’t worry about work. I got pregnant within a month of starting my job and have had three kids in the 8 years I’ve been there. When not on Mat leave I’m a brilliant, loyal employee and that is all I expect to be judged on. No one has ever given me any hint of resentment, I’ve had lovely congratulations on each pregnancy and been welcomed back excitedly after every Mat leave.

I know it’s not like this everywhere but if my colleagues behaved any differently I’d be the one judging them. I wouldn’t work somewhere with sexist attitudes towards mothers.

Thank you! What you say is very true, I should only be judged on my work performance and nothing else, but I think I worry far too much what others think of me!

I understand that you feel stressed about this. I was in a similar situation not that long ago.

We were already ttc when a new opportunity came along. I was very conflicted about this because I wanted the new job, but I did not want us to stop trying. In the end I decided just to play open cards with my potential new employer and they were still very happy to make me a good offer with maternity benefits. Ironically, it's many months down the line now and I'm still not pregnant, so in the end it didn't actually matter, but I'm still very glad we didn't put it on hold for the sake of a job.

If it's a good time for you and your family, go ahead an start the TTC journey. If you get pregnant fast - that's wonderful and hopefully your employer will be thrilled for you too (if not - that's their problem not yours). If you don't get pregnant straight away, then the situation resolves itself.