5 Weeks pregnant and petrified to tell my work.

[sg1994]

Hi Everyone,

I am currently back to work on my second week after returning from being off on maternity leave for a year. Just last Friday we found out that I am pregnant again and will now have two under two.

Pregnancy very unplanned and unexpected, I honestly thought I had timed my ovulation right, but obviously must of got the dates wrong. Never the less we are super excited for this next chapter and can't wait to have this baby.

My biggest issue I am currently facing is the thought of having to tell my work that I am pregnant again and will be going off in less than 8 months time again. I have been with the company now for just over 2 years but have already spent one year of this being off due to maternity leave and now will be going off soon again for another year.

I know they can't say or do anything about it and that they can't fire me, but the thought of having that conversation with them is making me feel sick to my stomach so just currently sit at my desk with my little secret pretending nothings happening.
I have an early private scan booked for end of the month just to make sure everything is fine etc so wouldn't be telling them till after this anyway, but any words of wisdom or encouragement from anyone would be greatly received.

Thank you!

Congratulations! I would consider holding off telling them until you're about 25 weeks (ie, the legal limit) so that you've been back for a while and it doesn't seem so quick

I'm not in the exact same situation but I started a job this year knowing I was already pregnant - I'm now 18+4 and telling my boss tomorrow and also terrified. Slight difference being I am in my probation period and they could in theory get rid of me by just saying that it wasn't working out and I'm not right for the role. Although as they approached me for the job this will hopefully be unlikely.

My sister in law has said to just remember pregnancy happens and businesses have to deal with it (doesn't quell all my fears but she's very forcefully supportive of me not feeling guilty 😂). I hope your conversation with your boss goes smoothly and they are supportive when you do talk about it with them.

Hi OP, I was in a really similar situation, in fact mine may have been worse - I actually had to tell them I was pregnant again whilst still on maternity leave with my first! I literally went back for all of five months and then straight back off again for another year. I felt exactly the same as you, in fact I posted my own thread about it to seek some advice just like you have. What actually ended up happening was that my manager was amazing when I told him, he said that family comes first and that he was delighted for me because apparently the best thing he ever did was have two children close together! When I told him that I hadn’t slept the night before because I was so nervous to tell him he was genuinely mortified and asked me how I could ever think that he’d be upset. I get that all companies and managers are different but I just wanted to give you an example of where there has been a positive outcome in the hope that it makes you feel a bit less anxious. Good luck and congratulations!

Also just remembered after reading what a pp said, when I told my manager he said that this happens all the time and is way more common than I think, in the moment it feels like it’s a terrible thing and you’re the only person to do it but remember how many people have two children under two!

You are exactly as pregnant as my DD. She started her new job at the beginning of February so she passed her probation last week. She has been a bit worried about it but realistically if no issues have been raised before and they only find something after you declare a pregnancy, it’s obviously dodgy. She’s telling them this week I think but looking at her they might suspect 😍

OP, all the best. Don’t tell them until you’re ready.

I understand how you may be feeling. I found out I was pregnant after I interviewed and I had a delayed start date so I had to tell my new boss I was pregnant shortly after I started. To top that, I fell pregnant again on maternity leave and I have had to take two maternity leaves back to back. Uncomfortable conversations were had but ultimately you are so protected and you haven’t done anything wrong. Whilst my boss obviously wasn’t thrilled, he did congratulate me and he has been supportive ever since. Personally I’d just get it out the way and say it as soon as you are comfortable to. Be clear on whether you want other team members to know or not though - mine was discussed with the whole team which I found a bit trickier as I didn’t expect that so quickly.

@Moosey898 @PinkTonic @PurpleTurtleMoose @Rosybud88

thank you all for your responses. As this is actually my 4th baby now as my eldest two arw almost 11 and 13 i feel like i am going to show even earlier this time round so wont be able to keep it a secret too long😂 my pregnancy bload with my youngest started at around 10 weeks and quite bad and by around 12 weeks had a bump already!
think i will just have to bite the bullet after the early scan once i know all is good and just rip the plaster off and get it done.

i will make sure i put my big girl pants on that day😂