about to start ttc but emploer company is unstable - WWYD?

[ginandgiggles]

Hi all - long time reader first time poster! Would really appreciate some advice. Currently have an implant in which is coming out in Jan and DH and I will start ttc. here's the facts and challenges:

• I'm 31 and have PCOS
• I'm 10 months into a new role with a basic ML policy
• I work as a personal assistant so have access to certain info and it looks like the company is up for sale, and potentially to be downsized significanly upon acquition, nothing offically confirmed to wider office
• details in docs surround operational and non-business generating positions first in line for redundancy
• I really don't hate my current role but I am not in love with it and do not find it challenging
• DH has a successful position in a bank so although tough we still have a decent income from him should I not have SMP.
• DH feels more comfortable with me having some access to ML and income before starting.

My head is saying if I'm not comfortable to find another role and we should postpone trying with an unclear work position / ML security. My heart is saying stay put as I don't know 100% the situation surrounding company's position so I should continue as planned.

The situation with my PCOS is the biggie. It could happen right away or it couldtake years. do I look for more stable and challenging work because I dont know when it will happen, or do I concentrate on one priority and stay put and keep trying, making a decision when I have more info? The decision to start ttc came before I found this info.

sorry this is so longwinded. DH is wonderful but I need a female perspective as ultimately it's my career, future and mental wellbeing that is going to be taking a hit and am hoping there is someone out there who has had a similar experience.

Thanks!
G&G

p.s - i tried to post this in the WWYD thread but it wouldn't let me!)

I'd say go for it.

As you say, PCOS makes it difficult for you and if a baby is something you really want you should go for it!

As for pay, the company cannot refuse to pay SMP. If they couldn't for whatever legal reason you would be entitled to maternity allowance from the government so you would still have that as an income for 39 weeks.

Good luck ttc!

Given your age and PCOS I would ttc, but also jobseek.

Honestly, there is no doubt a stable secure job with good maternity leave is a godsend when you have babies. I had to wait until mid 30s to get that but I didn’t have pcos. I think I would also job hunt and ttc. You can alway stop trying for a few months if need be

DH has a successful position in a bank so although tough we still have a decent income from him should I not have SMP.

• DH feels more comfortable with me having some access to ML and income before starting

I think what cleojinx said is right so you can reassure him you'd get maternity allowance

Still TTC. You can't plan how long it'll take you to get pregnant. Then carry on with life as normal.

If possible, I'd try and get a medical assessment on the effects of your PCOS to help with the longer-term decisions, via GP or privately.

I have PCOS too, and irregular long cycles, but was able to establish with doctors that I do ovulate each cycle. It's just that there are fewer chances to get pregnant per year, because the cycles are longer, iyswim and it can also be a bit hard to work out when ovulation is as it's never 2w from LMP. So everything takes longer than average. This was really helpful to know before we stared TTC in terms of planning my work. It took almost 2 years and was a bit frustrating at times. We also tested DH at the same time as me, just in case and to have the full picture given we were already on an extended timetable. Where fertility problems do exist, the man can also contribute and we didn't want to find that out 2 years later.

If PCOS is causing ovulation problems too, not just rarer ovulation, that's different and I suspect might alter your thinking towards prioritising TTC.

Also, sorry to mention this, but have a look at PCOS and rate of MC. I wish I had given more thought to the getting pregnant vs staying pregnant thing. That part for me wasn't straightforward either. Knowledge is power.

More personally for me, I've been slightly sitting still in my job over the last year while I got through 3 unsuccessful pregnancies. The worry of where it's all going, work and TTC, has been hard. It's not been good for my confidence or anxiety, do factor that in if it ends up being a long slog. So, I applied for a promotion recently. Of course I am now 8w pregnant!

On the company, my guess would be that if they're looking to put it up for sale it's not doing well, whether they do manage to sell it or not. There will probably be more turbulent times ahead. I'd be very tempted to switch now or at least to look in a serious way. January is also a good time.

Sorry about the essay. Good luck, you sound very thoughtful!