Starting a new job whilst pregnant

[jellyonaplate88]

Interviewed for a new job last week and I've been accepted. I don't start until April 10th. I can't start before then as I'm on maternity leave from my old job, which terminates April 9th, to allow for my notice period. I was excited to be starting a new job much closer to home and DS would be 9 months old.

Except. According to my MIA period and cheapie pregnancy test I am up the duff, not planned but not careful enough clearly. Still bf DS. He is only 7 months old and I am apparently due Nov 1st according to google.

What the hell am I going to do?! Should I tell my work? But that seems madness because statistically I know there's 1/4 chance this won't progress, but equally I don't want them to think I'm unprofessional and gain a bad reputation in my industry.

Financially, we'd be fine on just DH salary, I think I'd qualify for maternity allowance too. But I've accepted the job now and nursery all lined up for DS. Don't know what to do

I started my current job whilst pregnant. I interviewed whilst pregnant, I just didn’t know I was. After I’d accepted the role and the HR stuff went through I emailed my manager and told her. I emailed so that there would be a record, rather than a phone call which could be disputed.
I didn’t have any issues with work and management was very supportive. I have just returned to work full time following 8 months mat leave on maternity allowance.

Thank you @FrogCow I'm so glad it worked out for you! Can I ask how many weeks you were when you emailed to tell them? I didn't actually say anything in my last job until I was around 18 weeks.

It was really early days as I work with chemicals that I needed risk assessing for. I think I was about 8 weeks or so.

Thank you @FrogCow, really grateful for the advice.

Stick with the new job. Don't say anything yet unless there are anything like chemicals which need specific risk assessments.

I would tell them around 10-12 weeks depending on when you get a scan/miscarriage history. You could explain that it was unexpected, but you really, really don't have to - it's none of their business.

If they are a decent company they will have hired you intending to get the benefit of your work for far more than a year or two, so 9-10 months off six months down the line should be no big deal at all. If you wanted, you could also look at splitting the next maternity leave with DH so that you take less time off. But don't feel you need to cut it short only due to the newness of the job if you'd rather not.

I'm in exactly the same boat! Had an interview on Thursday, thought it'd fall flat, but looks like I have the job... I'm about 8 weeks pregnant and due around the 5th October.

I was wondering exactly the same in terms of maternity leave/ allowance. It's health care/ support I'm going into x

I’m starting a new job in April, I’ll be 22 weeks pregnant... I was 10w at interview, though I wasn’t pg when I applied (a really long recruitment process!). For lots of reasons I don’t think it’s right to tell them before a formal offer is made/contract signed.

I’m anxious about telling them I’ll only be with them for 3months initially, but didn’t think for one minute of not taking it. They won’t have to pay me any mat pay, and DH and I are taking shared parental leave (though his is enhanced, so financially viable which isn’t be case for most). Go for it!

Good idea to email rather than phone, Frogcow.

OP if you wanted to start your new job sooner you probably could. I used to work in HR and it's quite common for women not to return from mat leave and to ask for a reduced notice period. Ultimately you're not there either way so it doesn't actually effect them.

I wouldn't tell your new employer until you want to. From my quick maths you won't even be 12 weeks when you start your new job.

I've been in my current job for 6 months and am newly pregnant. I won't be saying anything until after the first scan. I want to get my probation signed off to show I'm doing a good job and because it's a small company and I know they'll panic and pile extra work on me in the interim I'm waiting. You have until you're 25 weeks pregnant to tell them. I'll likely tell them at about 15 weeks.

Hi everyone, thanks again so much and congratulations to those who are currently pregnant too! Good idea re having things in writing, I work in education so will hold off just now but will let them know at 12 weeks to give them time to sort out plans for after the summer. I hate letting people down but equally things happen too and I am delighted to be having another, albeit a shorter age gap than planned!!