Second pregnancy, so scared to tell work

[FT01]

Hi, I have just found out I am pregnant with my second which is a bit unexpected but exciting. Our first is 8 months now and my husband and I always said we wanted our family close together but didn’t think it would be this close!
I am really struggling to get excited by this pregnancy because I am still on maternity leave for a couple more weeks and I am now going to have to go back and tell my work I’m pregnant again!
I have supportive co-workers and manager but I think that makes it worse, I don’t want them to think I’m taking the mick or be disappointed me. I try really hard at my job and hate under-performing.
I suppose I just wanted to get some other perspectives on how I’m feeling, has anyone else been through this or have any advice?

I went back to work off mat leave pregnant. I told them whilst I was still on mat leave and everyone was really happy for us, to my face anyway. It wasn't planned but we weren't being careful, just didn't think it would happen so quickly as it took years for us to fall pregnant with our first.

I went back to work in April and was 4 months pregnant. Due to the risk assessment I started working from home a few months after that and am due next week.

@Amichelle84 thank you for replying, congratulations and good luck for your new baby! It’s nice to hear somebody else has been through this too, do you mind if I ask are you going back to work again after this baby and how long you’re having off? I don’t quite know what to do for the best, if I just finish my bosses don’t have to worry about another mat cover they can just hire a replacement for me and move on but then obviously I’d be worse off financially!

Different situation but I found out I was pregnant just before starting a new job! I was absolutely dreading telling my new boss, she'd literally only just hired me and I didn't want to 'let her down'. Anyway, I finally told her yesterday (after working there a month) and she couldn't have been more supportive. I was really surprised! Obviously this is different for everyone, but I think there is something about a pregnancy that most people view as wonderful.

What gave me the courage to tell her is a quote I read about how we all juggle different balls in life: work, family, health etc. Only, the work ball is made of rubber - it will eventually bounce back if it is dropped. Family and health however are made of glass - if they are dropped you may not get them back. So, moral of the story, it's wonderful that you are expecting and really the only thing that matters. Yes we all need to make a living, but there are always other jobs out there...

Good luck!

No-one is going to think you're taking the mick and no-one has any right to be disappointed with you, people having kids benefits all of society so please do not think of yourself as any kind of burden!
You don't need to tell work yet or even soon if you've only recently found out so take the time to get used to the idea yourself.
You could tell them soon after your 12w scan as plenty of notice will be undoubtedly helpful to them but yes if it were me I would certainly be going back to work in between pregnancies (I'd have to financially but also I'd want to as I enjoy my work and its an important part of my identity).
Workplaces need to have robust processes in place to cover maternity, its not your responsibility to worry about how they'll cover you.

I went back for a year after mat leave before getting pregnant again, and to be honest, it just felt like everyone was waiting for me to get pregnant again. Frankly I think there’s a lot to be said from a career point of view for having your babies and mat leaves quickly over a short space of time!

[quote FT01]@Amichelle84 thank you for replying, congratulations and good luck for your new baby! It’s nice to hear somebody else has been through this too, do you mind if I ask are you going back to work again after this baby and how long you’re having off? I don’t quite know what to do for the best, if I just finish my bosses don’t have to worry about another mat cover they can just hire a replacement for me and move on but then obviously I’d be worse off financially![/quote]
The plan is to go back to work but not sure, it's a long way off and anything can happen with jobs etc so not thinking that far ahead yet.

I don’t get people who have a problem with women being pregnant - if their own mothers hadn’t done it then they wouldn’t have been born themselves!

My sister went back to work pregnant from maternity leave (quite far along), lots of people probably thought it was taking the mick but it is what it is, the baby is here now.
I can see why it's a pain for employers though but they'd be wise not to express that.

2 children is the societal norm, it’s not like you’re on number 5! They might be relieved you’re doing it close together & getting it out the way, from their perspective. Congrats!

I went back from my first maternity leave already five months pregnant with my second. It wasn't a problem. Your work will have to suck it up, you are legally entitled to maternity leave so don't feel guilty for a minute.

I went back when my daughter was 12 months and I was 4 months pregnant by then. I was only back for 3 months then off again. I was a bit worried about telling them too. I think they were surprised but not that bothered in the end, I'm sure it was a hassle but they never let in, I figure there are so many hassles I was just one thing and once you're off it's pretty much out of sight out of mind (not in a bad way ). I've been back from my second maternity leave for about 3 months now and I don't see any problems or issues linked to my maternity. Good luck, sure it'll all be OK.

Thank you everyone for your experiences and perspectives, you’ve all made me feel much more calm about it. I like the idea that I’m getting all my mat leaves out of the way quickly haha! I’m just really excited for my babies to grow up together and after all your kind words I’m not so worried about what work this about that