When should I tell work that I’m pregnant??

[Alexbulance]

I am currently 6+6 weeks pregnant. You probably guessed by my name that I work for the emergency services. I do A LOT of heavy lifting. Lifting loads sometimes double my body weight & also lifting heavy equipment on a daily basis.

When should I tell work that I’m expecting? I’m worried that if I tell them too early word will get out around the whole work place…

No hate please, we all have a living to make :)

I told work straight away so they would look after me as I'd be expected to lift heavy items in my job x

Asap

as you'll need a risk assessment completed

Asap, always risk of combative or non compliant pt. and risk of assault?

Yeah you’re right. Had a knife pulled on me a couple of months ago. Just anxious telling them as I don’t believe in my management team at all to be honest. Since I’ve known I’m pregnant I have been even more conscious of manual handling & pts behaviours towards me 😣

I also told work straight away as I wanted risk assessments etc in place. Its up to you and you don't have to but for me I wanted it known. Only thing is, I later found out my head had told all of the senior leadership team before I wanted people to know (most of these people had absolutely nothing to do with me and did not need to know) 🙄 none of them let on they knew until after I officially told people at which point one of them came up to me and said she already knew which was annoying...

Thats what I don’t want to happen. Sorry that happened to you!

You need to do it now because of the risk assessment. You might be moved to the call handling team to keep you and baby safe. It's for your own safety

@Alexbulance thank you, it was annoying and I completely understand your hesitation!! However I would say its worth the risk especially in such a potentially dangerous job x

I would tell them asap. They need to put in a risk assessment, potentially send you to jobs that are less risky to you, certainly not to people in flats with no working lift. If unfortunately the pregnancy doesn't progress is people knowing a problem? That's the conventional reason for not letting people know which I know really get, when I miscarried (6 weeks) my boss was incredibly supportive

Are you on the road? If so tell them asap you will be out on alternative duties

*put on

Please do not risk it, your lom can keep it quiet and yeah people will figure it out but no one cares- trust me! All the best

@Alexbulance sorry back again, I mentioned this to DH who works as a lom and he said you need to tell them asap as you legally can't do any duties while pregnant!

Yep I’m on the road. I have an early scan in 9 days. Only 4 more shifts & then I’ll tell them. Then I can let them know how far along I really am based on how big baby is.

@Alexbulance I would really urge you to tell them now, you could actually get in trouble for being on the road knowing your pregnant and not having told them- it happened to someone we know when they had to daytex and turns out they had put themselves at risk.

All the best for you and baby 💐

Thank you x

Hi OP, congratulations on your pregnancy!

I'm also a paramedic on the road and am 7+4 - I've decided not to tell work until 12 weeks because I want to stay on the road as long as possible and can't stand the thought of working in the office!

I think it's a personal choice - I have really struggled with morning sickness and have vomited x3 when conveying patients to hospital (I work very rurally and conveyances are usually over an hour to ED). I have considered telling work earlier but I think I would rather cope with this than come off the road completely. There are other people in the office who've come off the road as soon as they found out at 4 weeks so no right or wrong answer. Good luck with your decision and the rest of your pregnancy

Just thought I would add in response to the post above, it's absolute bollocks that you could 'get in trouble' for not telling them immediately - it's not uncommon for people to not actually find out they're pregnant until their further along! It's your personal medical information and it is your choice at what point you want to share that.

@FreyaHazel honest mistake- each trust is different but it's definitely been a problem in the local one!

Sorry OP didn't mean to mislead, only can speak from experience

I’m 7 + 1 today! Congrats to you too! I have an early scan booked by the time I’ll be 8 + 2. I’ll tell them after that. I’ve had lots of ‘proper jobs’ recently with heavy lifting involved which makes me paranoid!

That sickness sounds rubbish! I hope it gets better for you. I’m just nauseous in the mornings & have sore boobs & am soooo tired!

We don’t legally have to tell our employers until the 15th week before birth! X

@Alexbulance yes legally you don't have to tell your employer. But pregnant paramedics are a known target for violent patients. If you get kicked or punched in the stomach by a patient by accident or on purpose, and you haven't told work or had that risk assessment done my in trust it would be a disciplinary to not disclose that. They have to do the risk assessment for insurance, and your own safety.