Dilemma - Travelling for work while pregnant

[Octoberfest18]

So, I'm almost 6 weeks pregnant and I haven't told my work yet. I work for a small charity and because of my role have in the past travelled abroad once or twice a year to places like Nepal and Kenya. This year, because of new people joining the team, it looked very like this wasn't going to be necessary, and there were no trips against my name. But, my boss, (who has recently been in a skiing accident and so is currently unable to walk), has just asked me today to take over the management and running of an event which would include a trip to Kenya in May. I'd be somewhere around 18-20 weeks by the time of trip (trip not scheduled yet).

I have travelled a lot in the past - but never while pregnant. And while husband and I have a couple of short Europe holidays booked in for the summer already - a trip to Kenya for work feels different and more risky. I won't have my husband or family there if something does go wrong, and it's a long way from home.

So, here's my dilemma - I had been planning to hold out until at least 12 weeks before telling my work about the pregnancy. (I haven't even told my mum yet, so don't want to be forced to tell my boss before I really have to!!)

Should I tell work early so as not to let them down on this piece of work, and so that we can make an informed decision about the trip?

Or should I plan to support the event, but not do the trip at all?

What do people think about travelling while pregnant?

I completely get you not wanting to tell them but I think it makes sense to tell them before committing to the trip. Your pregnancy would have to be considered in the risk assessments and depending on the event, that could have quite an impact. Currently 30 wks and found 20wks quite a difficult time for travelling but it's hard to know how you will be. Are you able to delay committing to the trip for a while?

Is Kenya still on the Zika list?

I was in this position (unexpectedly found myself pg with an operational tour running an air head in a war zone three months away.) I made the decision to tell my boss very early as I knew I wouldn’t be able to travel, and someone else would have to be warned for the job.

His face was an absolute picture. He said in 25 years he had never had that experience before, but he blustered and grinned and congratulated me. And then they warned my friend for the role instead.

I would tell them. I ended up telling work when I was 8 weeks with my 2nd because discussions came up that meant it was easier to tell them and make decisions from there

Thanks @mamaryllis I hadn't even thought about zika -- will definitely check that out and if it is still a risk then that will rule out the trip for me immediately. Not prepared to take that sort of risk.

I think if this trip does look like it will actually be assigned to me, then I will have to come clean and let them know. Luckily I can put it off a week or two because we're not having a more detailed chat till March. But once that kicks off I don't think I'll have a choice.

I'd tell work but ask whoever you tell to keep it completely confidential for the time being. I was in a similar situation recently with a school trip to Ghana!