New job and ttc

[Choc29]

Hi
I've just got a new job teaching in Higher education. I'm 7 weeks into a 16 week training course and about to be given my first student. I got married last August and it was always the plan to ttc this year and i want a baby more than anything. I know I'd be able to complete my course if I fall pregnant but I'd feel bad for the students and my company. But I also don't want this to stop me from ttc. I'm in my 30s and have no children. Has anyone else been in a simular boat.

Is it a permanent contract? What's the mat leave policy? Often you need to be employed for a certain length of time before you're entitled to any enhanced mat leave.

I have looked into this before ttc and my contract states that all employees are intitalled to mat leave regardless of length of service.

Just to add I'm on my 3rd month of employment.

Is it enhanced mat pay or standard? Do you not know if your contact is permanent or not?

It looks like they only have standards maternaty pay. It's a permanent contract.

To be honest you don’t know how long it’ll take to get pregnant, so I wouldn’t let your job put you off trying.
Obviously I don’t know your finances, background, desires for career progression etc, but, don’t let feeling bad for a company stop you from TTC - one of my bosses once said to me that everyone is replaceable, no matter how great they are.

I got pregnant last month and was then told five days later that I am likely going to be made redundant. I've been at the company almost two years, but just shy, so won't be entitled to anything if they do make me redundant.

A week later, I miscarried. I went through so much stress wondering what I was going to do jobless and pregnant, but the moment I lost it all I could think about was being childless.

You have a permanent contract and they can't get rid of you for being pregnant. If they try, you can fight it. You might not be entitled to enhanced maternity pay (if that's something they even offer), but you're still entitled to maternity leave.

We had a very serious discussion about whether we should continue TTC if I'm potentially about to be made jobless. We are both in our 30s and don't have a lot of time as early menopause runs in my family. The conclusion we came to is that we can just about manage if I can't get another job, but if we wait for me to get another job and lose our window, we have a lot more to lose than a few months of take aways and luxuries.

Jobs will happily let you go without a thought to help themselves. Don't forget that. Do what's best for YOU, not your job.

I agree. Do what works for you. I actually put off ttc first time when a close colleague got pregnant! Wouldn't do that now! (All worked out ok in that case).

I'd wait until you're eligible for occupational maternity pay.

Takes pressure off returning to work

You don't know how long it will take to get pregnant, so I wouldn't hold off if you're ready.