Advice needed - should I change jobs when pregnant? WWYD?

[Oblyx]

Hi, I don't posted much on MN but browse it often for useful advice. However, no-one seems to have asked this question before, so I'm hoping some of you can offer me some advice about this dilemma. Sorry it's so long.

I'm on a fixed-term contract which ends in July. I've been offered a 3 year contract in another place. This would involve moving to a new city. My DP would need to give up his job and find a new one in the new place. He didn't consider this a problem when I applied for this job, because he doesn't like his job and wants to retrain or find a different job. I am the highest earner (by quite a long way), and he went part time (3 days a week) when I went back after having our first child.

However, in between applying for the job and having the interview I discovered that I'm pregnant (due in July).

I've been offered the job with a start date around March (flexible). This would mean I'd have about 3 months work before maternity leave. I would not be eligible for any maternity pay because I would not have worked there long enough. So it is risky because if my DP cannot find a job then we would have no money coming in for 6 months (although I would at least have a job to go back to).

On the other hand, if I stay until the end of my contract here, then I would still receive 9 months maternity pay even though my contract will have finished (I've confirmed this with human resources). But I would not have a job to go back to.

Declining the job offer and staying put is financially the least risky option in the short term. But I am concerned that I may not be able to find work after maternity leave, so this could turn out worse in the long run.

Can anyone provide me with some perspective on this?

On the basis of what you have said you would be eligible for Maternity Allowance, so that's some money at least (it's almost the same as SMP). I would be tempted to take it, for the security of having something to go back to, especially if it's a job you want.

Having said that, it would be quite a big thing moving to a new place, starting a new job and having a new baby all in the space of 4 months! In that respect I'd be tempted to stay put and put up with the uncertainty.

Sorry - apparently I would also be indecisive!

Thanks for replying. I guess that is also what is making me undecided - that I would only be in the job for 3-4 months before having a baby. Not sure it would be enough time to settle in. Plus it'd be hard starting a new job and dealing with all the aches and pains and tiredness of late pregnancy.

I think I am leaning towards turning the job down. But then worried that I am chucking away a good opportunity that might not come again.

Aargh this is a hard decision!

I think it's tempting to panic that nobody will ever employ you again when on a FTC, but you sound very career minded. I'm sure that something will come up in the long-term. Why not enjoy your hard-earned maternity leave and baby and then think about it?

As mentioned, I was on a FTC when pregnant and I panicked like you did. But something did come up afterwards - I went to a new 'career' job when DD was 6 months and they didn't bat an eyelid that I'd been off work for a bit.

Can you not talk to your employer about possibly extending your contract, by the way? They shouldn't just not renew it because you are on maternity leave, I am led to understand.

Extending contract isn't really an option (they never do this), but another job at the same place may come up.

I guess if we're willing to move then it should be possible for me to get another job after having the baby. And to be honest I think deep down I'm really not keen on moving and starting a new job when pregnant. Can't see myself as a SAHM though (definitely not domestic enough), so I'd have to hope something else comes up!