Pregnant!

[EMUKE]

Ok guys please help...
So Im a surrogate gestational carrier and have planned this for about 6 months (now pregnant). I was previously self employed but due to moving and securing a mortgage with my husband I have joined a company PAYE. Knowing i would also be entitled to benefits when pregnant (Mat leave/Mat pay). My company hasn't been great from the start, the people are amazing and can't do enough, however just little things haven't been done correctly such as... No contract when I started iv had to push and push explaining I need it for my mortgage advisor then sent the generic contract with my details on but no pay details or hours, I originally agreed to 4 days a week Mon - Thur however rotas are put up every week with different days, no uniform - I provided my own for a while. So just things here and there that I have had to push for. I wanted to sort of fly under the radar but been unable to as always something I need to bring the managers attention. Almost feel like I'm the annoying new employee. SO now after all the tests and embryos I am finally pregnant and have been at work 2 months, so now I'm worrying how I would tell them I'm pregnant. I think I'm more worried about the fact they would be angry at me as I used the job as a safety net for the mortgage and pregnancy, then after a short time il be leaving going on maternity leave (leaving them where they started) The issue is, as i'm a surrogate they would realise this would for needed to be planned for a while. Way before starting a job with them and I had not told them. I work within the healthcare industry and have researched with COVID I should not be in contact with patients from 28 weeks. I will be leaving it along as possible to tell them I'm pregnant and I just need advise on how to go about it. I'm just worried iv even thought about having the baby and then going back to work within a couple of weeks (the baby is given to the intended parents after the birth) however I still get my maternity as I would if the baby was mine. I know I'm working myself up over this and may just have to deal with everyone questions and opinions once iv told them. Any help would be great!

okay just giving my thoughts on this, but its up to you how you would like to approach everything.

I would inform the employer (manager) asap, only your manager and not let other people know about the surrogate pregnancy as this is personal matter. best not to leave it too late, because the employer needs to get someone else to cover your position while your away so they need time to do this.

About coming back to work, I dont knwo the rules for surrogate parent but it's still a preganncy that you are going through so I would say no need to rush back. but check the rules on this how long can you be on maternity for aftwerwards? hope it goes okay.

If you work in healthcare:
There's no rule about not seeing patients after 28 weeks anymore. This was recently rescinded.
Instead you should have the usual risk assessment every trimester and take it from there.
If you are a surrogate you need to check the policy.
While it's the same pre baby the post baby allowance is often different. You might not be entitled to full 52 weeks leave - you might be capped at 6 months.

Thank you xx