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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

How did you tell work that you're pregnant?

25 replies

Snowflake15 · 05/05/2015 18:36

Silly question I know, but I'm planning to tell my work I'm pregnant after my 20 week scan which is tomorrow. I'll have to tell the managing partner, who is a 50 year old man, and this just seems so awkward to me!

So, just wanted to hear others experiences - do I just go into his office and blurt out "I'm pregnant"? Do I have to tell him how many weeks? I have taken home the maternity policy and was planning on handing over the notification form, but I realised it has date of start of Mat leave on there and I don't know that yet

What did you do/say?

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sianihedgehog · 05/05/2015 18:41

First time, I asked manager if he had a minute free to talk and dragged him into an empty meeting room to tell him.

My current boss works about 2.5 hours drive from where I work, so I rang him up from my car in the car park and told him.

It was fine both times, don't worry about it! He'll probably ask when you are due and maybe talk about maternity leave and stuff a bit.

Skiptonlass · 05/05/2015 18:43

I just said something like " I need to let you know that I'm pregnant and due roughly around x. I wanted to let you know now so that we can draw up a good cover plan and get someone else trained and fully up to speed before I am out."

I'd love to say my boss was thrilled but she's basically the Borg and is edging me out already :(

AbbeyRoadCrossing · 05/05/2015 18:44

I told my boss in our 121 the first time. This time I'm not in the office so will have to phone up.
You still have until 25 weeks to decide on your maternity leave date so not long, although you can change dates if you give them notice - 28 days I think. Good luck!

Original poster

Snowflake15 · 05/05/2015 19:17

Thanks guys it's good to hear other people's experiences, I just need to suck it up and tell him, Skipton I like your phrasing, it's just going to be such a relief to have it all out in the open

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Bogal · 05/05/2015 19:22

I told my boss by email - he's very distant and I didn't know how to tell him face to face. I told a couple of colleagues I get on well with face to face, and then bought in cakes for the office to help word get around.

Original poster

Snowflake15 · 05/05/2015 19:24

Ah I wish email was an option! Unfortunately he's in the next room to me so that's a bit too rude I reckon, haha. I was considering waiting til Friday so then it's only that day I've got to get through then the weekend?

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cryingbabymess · 05/05/2015 19:55

I had to tell my boss at 9 weeks but luckily she's lovely and was really happy for me. She had not long become a grandma again, she's only 46! I've only got to tell her as she's the MD!

HopeFull28 · 05/05/2015 20:05

I told my boss I had something to tell him and asked him when he had 5mins, I took cakes in to the managers office (we have 5 managers) then nervously told 2 of them that I'm 12 weeks. And they were all smiles and congrats Good luck

thatwhichwecallarose · 05/05/2015 20:14

First time I just told her I was pregnant (was 12weeks at the time) and she was thrilled.

Second time I told current boss over the phone - but then I hadn't actually started the job yet!

ch1134 · 05/05/2015 20:25

You just need it said.
I requested a meeting and sat down and said ' I thought you'd like to know that I'm expecting a baby' and let my boss react. Weirdly he said 'I knew that'.

LovelyWeatherForDucks · 05/05/2015 20:30

This time, a few people guessed early on (not drinking at Xmas parties!), but when I got to 16 weeks I sent an email to my managers/key personnel confirming it (with est date of going on mat leave) and emailed HR separately with due date and to check what I needed to do in terms of paperwork etc. I was also irrationally worried about this all!

Purplehonesty · 05/05/2015 20:30

I had a headache and someone offered me ibuprofen. I said oh no I can't take those cos I'm.....erm....(longest silence ever)....allergic?
So that was that done!
Everyone was happy tho.
Second time I was halfway through a meeting and went white and had to rush out to be sick. So they all guessed then too!

misssmilla1 · 05/05/2015 20:31

Told my boss over the phone as she was remote working, and I wanted to get in before any staff changes got announced. I couched in a "I'm working on xyz which will deliver at abc, so there's really no impact after September."

In retrospect I wish I'd done it via email as I think she's trying to get rid of me, and I want it on record somewhere that I told her.

weelamb123 · 05/05/2015 20:47

I told my boss the day after I found out I was (5 weeks) purely because I knew the hypermesis would be setting in any day. As I was very ill with dc1. He was great, dont worry, it'll be fine. Xx

avocadotoast · 05/05/2015 21:13

I asked my team leader if I could have a word and told her (pretty early on)... Her very professional response was "holyyyy shiiiiiit"... So probably not much help to you OP!

UpNorth74 · 05/05/2015 21:39

I told my boss the day I took the test ... But then, she is my Mam! She cried, it was awesome

Hobbit19 · 05/05/2015 21:44

I know what you mean OP, I am kind of looking forward to being able to tell people but thinking about telling colleagues is a bit awkward, I feel like what they'll here is "I HAD SEX TWELVE WEEKS AGO!", a bit cringy!!!!! Good luck!!

Hobbit19 · 05/05/2015 21:44

*hear!

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 05/05/2015 21:47

For safety reasons I had to tell very early, but I think I told occupational health before my manager every time. The occ. health nurse was an absolute star at that place, not much else that was truly great about working there if I'm honest though. I just went in and told my manager, it was fine.

Rebecca1608 · 05/05/2015 21:52

I told my boss really early on. I'd only told one colleague who's also a really good friend and got her to go in and ask if he had a minute (he wasn't in the best of moods that day) he called me in and said "did you want to speak to me mate" i blurted it out and he laughed hysterically. (I was for a long time known as someone who loved just going out and getting shitfaced before getting with OH) I stood serious and he went "oh shit you're serious- ok congratulations lovely news"

Agedoesntmatter · 05/05/2015 21:53

I told my boss first time round at around 6 weeks ( for health reasons) and second time round around 7 weeks ( health reasons again) . I told her one to one and she was very supportive.

Good luck- you'll be fine :)

Jenmk1 · 05/05/2015 22:03

I had to tell my boss when I was 5 weeks for H&S reasons (the day after I found out so was still processing it myself!) She was very supportive. Was very difficult due to the nature of my job to keep it a secret until 12 weeks so I told a few colleagues I'm close to and they helped "cover for me". It was a relief to get it out in the open eventually tbh.

Congratulations btw

Mummyofonesofar · 06/05/2015 10:31

I asked if my boss had a minute, sat her down and said "I thought you would like to know that I am planning on taking maternity leave at the end of the year becuase I am 5 weeks pregnant and due in January." She was really lovely and gave me a hug and congratulated me, she has 2 small boys which helps I think! Then she said "It's good to hear you were still up for a bit with all the stress last month!" I had a rough month in April - it was a bit of an odd thing to come out with!!

Original poster

Snowflake15 · 06/05/2015 13:36

Ah glad to hear all the stories, had a great 20 week scan today and now looking forward to getting it out in the open so I can really enjoy my pregnancy and growing belly

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knittingirl · 06/05/2015 13:56

Both times I just walked into my Boss's office and said "I've got something to tell you - I'm pregnant." And then he told me to sit down . But I work in a very small company (~20 employees) so I know the Boss well, and there's a lot of things that are done a lot more informally than in bigger places.

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