Job hunting while pregnant

[OneBigToDoList]

Long story short, I was made redundant back in 2020 and have been freelancing ever since. I'm almost three months pregnant and lost my best paying client a couple of weeks ago. I can tide myself over financially, but am really worried about getting back into work after baby - my freelance work may not be there after a certain amount of time, and I already feel out of the 'working world' having worked remotely for the last two years.
I've been approached by a couple of recruiters and considering trying to find a job so that I'll have something to go back to. The odds just feel really stacked against me, and I'm worried about the moral question of when to disclose my pregnancy (I'm almost 3 months)
Does anyone have any positive stories of job hunting while pregnant, or would you advise staying freelance? I guess I'm just looking for some perspective on this. Thanks in advance : )

I was about six weeks into a 12 week notice period when I found out I was pregnant. Called the new boss to gauge reaction, she was absolutely fine. I knew she couldn’t tell me to get stuffed but she could have been an asshole about it. I started the week after my 12 week scan. I made it very clear I knew it wasn’t ideal but how appreciative I was of her understanding. She assured me I was still the right person for the job and she preferred to think long term.

(Not that it should make a difference but she’s early 50s ish and childless, definitely one of those less maternal career woman types, quite high up in the company, so her understanding didn’t come from a place of first hand experience, I think she’s just quite an understanding and rational person).

I can’t see the harm in you job hunting. Maybe disclose after you’re offered a job and do the same as I did (gauge reaction). Employers shouldn’t be discriminating against you but if they react badly then you can assess whether you firstly, even want to work for them and secondly, feel secure enough they won’t try shady tactics to get rid of you later. If it all goes tits up hopefully you can stay freelancing?

Congrats on the baby and good luck 🤞

Hi @ReeseWitherfork thank you for the reply, so pleased it worked out for you! This is really good advice, thank you, I hadn't really thought about it from the perspective of would I like to work for a company that reacted badly. I'm thinking I will go for it and if all goes well disclose at offer stage. Like you say I wouldn't want to accept and be stuck with a non-understanding boss, and I'm sure a company would appreciate the honesty. I also really liked your boss' point about thinking long-term, I may have to steal that haha. Thank you!