when to start ttc??

[Aberdeen3]

I am a teacher, will be starting a fixed term year contract in September. I want a baby and we are ready. But...what kind of maternity pay will I get and when should we start ttc?? I know I may no get pregnant at the drop of a hat, but just wondering what I should do. I've seen I have to be in the job for 26 weeks before the 15th week before the baby...so should I just try from Sept on? I don't want to lose all my money that I feel I deserve as I've been a hard working teacher for many years. This is so stressful!

Hi, I know in my area (I'm also a teacher) in order to get the full benefits you need to be working with that county for 1 year. This entitles you to the full package. If not then I still think you are entitled to the SMP. You could anonymously call HR or your union? They should be able to help you. I just found out I'm pregnant on Friday am sh* myself in telling my boss. Good luck x

Hi, thanks for your reply. I have been in the same area for a number of years, just changing schools, so I hope that makes it ok in that regard, I just don't want to put my life on hold for my job, but also don't want to throw away good money because I haven't organised things enough!
Congratulations for you! Don't worry about telling your boss, it will be amazing I'm sure x

Brilliant - if you work in the same county then you should be entitled to the same benefits as me who has worked for a few years - get shagging girl!!! ( sorry to be crude - lol). Like one of my friends said to me, you cannot put your life on hold for anyone. We started trying only a couple of months ago, got pregnant on second go. You may even find that you have the baby just as your finishing your contract. Good luck xx

I wouldn't try to micromanage my fertility that much, yes it would be nice if you could get the best possible financial package, but getting yourself upduffed might take one cycle or it might take many...

Thanks guys, I won't micromanage it, I was just wondering where I stood. I think I will start pretty soon. It's so scary, but so exciting!x

It is scary. I still keep looking at my test to make sure it's real. I have visions of me going for my 1st midwife and them telling me I'm not pregnant. I can't believe it. And remember it will all work out and I believe in fate a lot and when it's supposed to happen, it will xx

Noappointmentnecesary is right. You can't put your life on hold for work, unless of course the full SMP package is needed for financial reasons. You work in order to make a living, not the other way round, so if you want to, start ttc

My contract was the same so we started trying as soon as I had been there 6 months, money isn't everything but it was nice to know when/if I got preg I would get the best maternity package!!