When to tell Head I am pregnant?

[PrincessHB]

I found out on friday that I am pregnant. Only 4 weeks according to my calculator so very early days yet. I am a teacher in SEN secondary wfh as I have 2 other children.
Awful timing obviously (we had decided to stop trying this month because of the current times so of course it happened!)
I was really keen to get back to school myself and I had expected the transition back to be starting with more children like mine with 2 key worker parents. I feel I should be part of the rota to share the workload with my colleagues too.
Obviously I should wait until more information comes out around SEN schools whenever that will be. But then how quickly should I inform my headteacher in your opinion? I havent even told family or friends just yet and still coming to terms with the news with my husband. I have read up that it's still too early to even get in contact with docs at this point.
However, I keep thinking my head is probably constantly planning and thinking ahead to reopening and dont want to cause her to go back to the drawing board again causing more work for her and colleagues.
Tough one mentally too as I am quite upset to now be almost certainly not going back for a very long time if all goes well though obviously excited for hopefully a longed for last child for our family.

[Soontobe60]

Just out of curiosity why do you think you wouldn’t go back?

[PrincessHB]

Well I hope I will obviously and very soon. Clearly the research states pregnant women are no more at risk than anyone. However currently NEU guidance states that pregnant women shouldn't be in and 2 colleagues are currently wfh too due to pregnancy. My school seems to be following union advice.

[Poetryinaction]

I would tell them at 12 weeks, but only before if you are asked to go in and don't want to.

[Poetryinaction]

Ps Congratulations!

[PrincessHB]

Thank you. I thought the same.
I do want to go in and 12 weeks would take me to around early July so would probably be back on a phased return for students according to announcements this afternoon. However I think I will tell them before if they asked for me to return before then for transparency and go with guidance set out at that time... it changes a lot at the moment after all! I would appreciate they need to follow government and union guidance.

[HotPinkLilies]

Advice for pregnant women:

Clinically vulnerable individuals who are at higher risk of severe illness (for example, people with some pre-existing conditions as set out in the Staying at home and away from others (social distancing) guidance have been advised to take extra care in observing social distancing and should work from home where possible. Education and childcare settings should endeavour to support this, for example by asking staff to support remote education, carry out lesson planning or other roles which can be done from home. If clinically vulnerable (but not clinically extremely vulnerable) individuals cannot work from home, they should be offered the safest available on-site roles, staying 2 metres away from others wherever possible, although the individual may choose to take on a role that does not allow for this distance if they prefer to do so. If they have to spend time within 2 metres of other people, settings must carefully assess and discuss with them whether this involves an acceptable level of risk.

[PrincessHB]

Thank you for this @HotPinkLilies

[Newmummyxx]

@PrincessHBI told my headteacher at 4 weeks but wouldn’t have ever told them early if Coronavirus wasn’t around.

[GivenchyDahhling]

I think as soon as there is any confirmation you need to physically be in school you need to tell them - leaving the virus aside for one moment, you need them to do your risk assessment and if there are reasonable adjustments to be made (for example, if there are pupils in your school that might pose a risk to you).

[PrincessHB]

Thank you. I ended up telling my headteacher yesterday as I had been asked what my availability would be from 1st June as we potentially offer more places to students in a staggered return if parents choose to send them. She is seeking advice from our HR if the earlier advice for pregnant women to shield is still in place or ok to return with the planned social distancing measures. I feel very reassured and supported

[Newmummyxx]

That’s good that you have informed them. It sounds like they are doing their best to keep you safe.