Marernity Leave Opinions

[AliBaliBee1234]

I am due to go back to work full time after 6 months off. I have been employed at the company for 15 years.

My journey to being a mum didn't go to plan. I lost a baby in the second trimester in 2023 and had my rainbow in 2024 (my colleagues don't know about my loss)

Because of this and my age, I am planning a small gap (hopefully) between children. It's important to me that my daughter has a sibling. This is the reason for going back at 6 months - to ensure we're in a good financial position to do this.

I do fall pregnant usually very quickly although i'm aware that can change. But my plan is to return to work and around my childs first birthday, begin ttc baby number 2.

I don't do a role at work which can just be covered by anyone and it had to be absorbed by my team. Apparently they are very much looking forward to me being back.

My question is... is going back for under a year then announcing another pregnancy going to annoy people? What would you think? At the very least there will be gap of 15 months between mat leave.

I know some won't understand my anxiety about this but I am worried.

Thanks in advance.

So sorry for your loss. Do what is best for your family. I took a year off with my first and was only back for 6 months before I was off again for my second! I did feel a bit awkward when I told them but what can they do? It's only a short time in the grand scheme of things anyway, and work is just work. Don't let it rule your life. Congratulations!

Thank you that's really good advice

Thanks everyone. I guess because not alot of people take mat leave where I work, i wasn't sure what is normal and what wasn't.

I have been very loyal throughout what has been a tough 17 year career at times. I'm not a high earner. I know i'm being silly but do get very anxious about criticism.

People might be annoyed but realistically, a 2y gap between DC is what most of us do and they’ll get over it. As someone said, at least you are having all the disruption at once.

When I went back from my last mat leave I mentioned I passing to my boss that I wasn’t planning for more - because as much as we’d like to think it isn’t the case, we are at a disadvantage for promotions etc if people think we might be off long term in the near future.

Don’t let your family happiness hinge on whether it annoys other people! Do what you want to do! The people you work with are temporary fixtures in your life, your family is forever

Thank you. I don't think I think logically when it comes to feeling people are annoyed with me, particularly at work :( it makes me incredibly anxious. I know this stems from how I was treated as a child.