Having 2nd baby without a perm job...what would you do?

[mumtorobbie]

I'm not sure whether this is the right place for this thread but here we go anyway...

I have a DS who is nearly 2, I'm 39 in a few months but the work situation is such that I'm on a temp contract within the NHS which could be ended at any point.

I know that we really ought to crack on with baby number 2 but in 15 years I have never been out of work and I'm terrified of having another baby without a permanent job. I also ought to say that I like working and have no intentions of being a SAHM.

My DP earns enough to keep us going but it seems really unfair to put the responsibility on him of being the main wage earner.

I was lucky to get pregnant very quickly with my DS (despite having PCOS) but I know that with me heading towards 40 I may not be so fortunate next time.

I suppose what I'm asking is do I wait until the end of the year when I may have more of an idea what is happening jobwise or throw caution to the wind, TTC and hope a perm job will come up sooner or later?

I'd hate to get past my child bearing years and think we didn't have another baby because I was too scared of not getting another permanent job!

Sorry for the long post...

I am in a similar position and I would just go for it.

Would you be able to pick up temp work if you lost your job? As long as you have worked a certain number of weeks in the last year or so (sorry, I can't remember exact numbers) you can still get maternity allowance for 9 months.

Think you have to just get on with it! Not just because of age, but I think it's a shame to let temporary stuff like your current job situation dictate your family make-up, certainly if you will have enough income. If you do lose your job it's not the end of the world and you can find another. Your family is for life.

You're probably right. It's a bit of a relief to know there is some help available because I presumed if I didn't work I'd get zilch.

I'm still hoping something may turn up as for me, it's not the money on mat leave I'm worried about but having a job to go back to would be good.

Hello. This is the first time i have written on here so bare with me!
I am in a very similar position. I have just turned 40 and am 12 weeks pregnant. I am on a short term contract that ends at the end of May.
My hubby isn't a huge earner by any stretch of the imagination so it is quite a scary time. We didn't plan this pregnancy but are both happy because we could have kept putting it off 'till there was a better time' but that time may never have come.
I think you are entitled to SMP or Maternity allowence but it is all quite confusing. I have been told that the job may become permanent also, but they dont know that i am pregnant yet. I bet the offer will be retracted as soon as they find out!
I think you have to just do it if you really want another. There's never really a 'good'time to do it!