F(36) and a mother of 1, DS turns two in 8 months, currently 5 weeks pregnant.
Last week, the very next day after I tested positive at 4 weeks pregnant, I was told I was being reconsidered for my old managers role which I originally applied for in November but was rejected in December.
I wasn't impressed with the process, I was kept waiting 2 weeks for feedback and even then it wasn't actionable.
I was told prior to applying that I was unlikely to get the role given how big it is, but I was told by my c-level head and my VP (hiring manager) that I was definitely ready for a bigger role.
Silly me for thinking the 2 week delay in coming back to me was them maybe creating a different opportunity of progression, I was simply told, they will work with me on my development and want me to stay in the company without any real timeline.
I've been there 7 years and had a string of managers who believed in me and verbally said I was in for promotion but then left and each time I've had to prove myself again.
So I went home for Christmas and told my husband we better try for a baby, what were we even waiting for?! I was in a holding pattern at work so why put our personal decisions on hold.
Last week I went to a company meeting and was told by the head of Europe (in sales) that he was appalled by the head of Emea (marketing) candidates. That he has pushed back on my VP hard, that he wants clear justification as to why I was not seriously considered, has rejected the external candidates and told me I should get ready to jump into the role.
I think my department heads are nervous as the last 2 externals didn't make it past 2 years each and were shown the door.
As expected, I was that same week by my VP that I was in fact the strongest candidate and everyone agrees I can grow into the role.
Now I don't know what to do.... talk about timing. I don't care about my department heads who clearly didn't believe in me in the first place, and have only buckled under pressure... but do I tell the Emea head of sales out of courtesy, early on, before I take that role considering that he has brokered me the role without knowing I will be back on maternity leave in 8 months? (I've been back 6 months, I took 10 months without son and plan to do that same this time). I would have been back 14 months by the time I go again.
I feel like it's a close age gap (2 years on the nose) and 9 months back everyone will know I'm pregnant again, and beggars belief if I take this bigger role then go... is coming back to work in July after 10 months out, and announcing I'm pregnant in March (8 months later) too soon? Especially as we've not had a manager now for 4 months, I need to ramp into the role for a few months then 4 months later I leave everyone in the lurch.
If they gave me the role to start, there's no way we would have tried until summer. shouldn't care what people think but I do.
My husband is 38 and we aren't getting younger, as soon as I was rejected for the role we tried in January thinking it could take 6 months. And even now, falling pregnant so fast who knows if it will stick.
Thoughts?