Big new job, delaying TTC? What would you do?

[elsamayy]

Hello everyone. I am freaking out slightly, and I'd love to hear thoughts on my situation from women who maybe have been where I am.

I am turning 37 soon, and just accepted an offer for a great role at a new company. It is a senior leadership role, very well compensated, in a great organization where I hope to stay for a long time. I start in July. I could not be more excited! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will impact my career trajectory enormously. It is likely to open the door to C-suite opportunities down the line.

The issue is that my DP and I were planning to start TTC this Summer. With this new job, I feel like we should postpone TTC until at least January 2027, when I will have been in the role for 6 months. By then, I will be 3 months away from turning 38. DP is one year older than me and is very supportive of my decisions and career.

I had some fertility tests done earlier this year, and everything looked good. I also have a family history of women (mother, aunts, and sister) having healthy babies easily at age 40. However, I know nothing is guaranteed when it comes to fertility, and I am freaking out that I am making a terrible mistake.

Am I mad for postponing TTC at my age? What would you do? The job is genuinely a great opportunity, and I don't want to start on the wrong foot by announcing a pregnancy right away. But at my age, maybe I should not care.

Any thoughts and advice are welcome. Thanks!

I would not delay TTC either. Job opportunities come and go but at your age waiting could mean the difference between becoming a mother or not.

I earn roughly double my DP (who also earns well), and I have a lot more set aside in terms of savings and investments.

Okay well then the maternity leave/pay issue isn't such a big factor then as you can afford to cover any losses and pay for childcare etc in the unlikely event that you conceive quickly and have a baby before qualifying for co's full mat benefits. I'd TTC from the summer as planned, enjoy the new job and see what fate has in store baby-wise. You're in a good position and could actually 'have it all' so don't need to risk delaying any longer.

Good point! Thank you!

I would also consider any risk of potentially getting pregnant while still on probation. In case you don’t get on with the role and then end up needing to find another job.

I personally wouldn't wait if you definetely want to be parents. If you're not that bothered, then you can take the pressure off, but there's no guarantees. Healthy fertility tests, even if you were younger, don't abscond people from the stats. 1 in 4 pregnancies end in a loss and it can take a while to conceive a viable pregnancy.

I got pregnant straight away in a new job, and it's definetely awkward and uncomfortable. But you don't have to share until you show, so you can build relationships first if you wanted to move the timelines up. Have positive performance documented before sharing pregnancy news!

Another option if you're open too IVF is having embryos created now, so you have some degree of certainty ahead. Ethics / hormones / financial considerations though.