Excited...but when should I tell my boss?

RichardandYaya

Hubby and I went through our second round of IVF and now are expecting twins!  I had a great support network at my job (we're like family, really,) but only a select few knew what I was going through (after our first mc, I was a wreck.)

I go back to work in August (about week 15) and I know I should tell my boss soon, so they can prepare for a long term sub.  Should I tell him at week 12 so they have more time to find one, or wait until I get back during week 15? (I'm a teacher.)

BabyCarryingVessel

I think either way would be fine, but I would probably tell at 12 weeks. You'll probably have a noticeable belly at 15 weeks, and your boss may appreciate a heads up before seeing you! Haha! Just my thoughts! Congratulations!! So happy for you!

Brummy14

Yup, I told my boss at 10 weeks, just to ensure he didn't get the news from anyone else (but told him when I planned on going "live").

I wanted them to have enough time to get a back-up plan in place -- knowing how unpredictable twin pregnancies can be (and sure enough, mine was a doozy). Because I was so obnoxiously proactive about it, there were only minor bumps in the process when I went out on BR at 26 weeks, and then ruptured at 28 weeks. 

Hopefully you have a boring pregnancy. But, I found that leaning forward with my management was a good thing, they really appreciated it, and celebrated with me all along the way. 

RichardandYaya

Thanks so much for the response!  Will I be showing much by week 15, or is that too early? I do have a bit of a "puffy" lower abdomen now (bigger than usual, anyway ) but my nurse says that's because of all the extra progesterone they have me on, making it "nice, squishy, and comfy" for the baby.  (I've actually lost a few pounds over the last month--I hope that's not a bad sign or something.)

Brummy14

I was noticeably showing by week 13 or so (that's when the questions from my overly-polite coworkers started...so god knows how long they had suspected!)

Also depends on your starting point -- I was pretty lean to begin with, so that added to it being extra noticeable early on. But, with twins, it's EARLY.  

I started taking bump shots at 12 weeks, and, yeah, by 15, there was no debating it. 

PinkinProvence

I am 15+ weeks, and I have not told anyone at work yet.  I might some time this week.  I just started sporting a teeny baby bump this week, but I am still in all my regular size 2 clothes.  Some people might think I gained a couple of pounds, and my husband thinks they must know because my boobs are huge, but I haven't gotten any comments, stares or questions yet.

I might tell my boss late this week, but only because I am going on vacation and won't be back until I am 17+ weeks and think that I will be noticeably showing when I get back.

Ruthie04

I told my boss at 12w and she just told me it was already pretty obvious. FWIW, my IVF bloat just turned into a hard tummy and I was in maternity clothes at 13w. So, it might be a good idea to go ahead and give your boss a heads up.

Congrats!!

RichardandYaya

Thanks for all of the responses, ladies.  So I should tell him before I start showing, whenever that may be.  Hubby jokes that no one will be able to tell because I wear over-sized T-shirts to work pretty regularly.  I guess it's not really a joke, because it's true. So I'm not sure anyone who's not already "in the know" will figure it out by the time school starts.  Maybe it will be a total surprise when I tell him...

As for all the IVF stuff, it's still kind of hard to tell what's caused by the meds, and what's caused by the babies.  I'm on heparin as well, two injections a day,  which is causing quarter-sized knots all over my lower abdomen (and bruising like crazy!)  I don't even what a photo of my belly yet, because it looks like a dog has chewed on it.  (I know, gross.)

spin25

RichardandYaya:

Thanks so much for the response!  Will I be showing much by week 15, or is that too early? I do have a bit of a "puffy" lower abdomen now (bigger than usual, anyway ) but my nurse says that's because of all the extra progesterone they have me on, making it "nice, squishy, and comfy" for the baby.  (I've actually lost a few pounds over the last month--I hope that's not a bad sign or something.)

I lost about 5 lb within a couple of weeks after my BFP (post-IVF). I think some mild hyperstimulation was to blame. I wouldn't worry about it.

carrotcake06

I'd wait, but that's me. In my v nosy workplace, I took everyone by surprise at 14w when I told. A few people had thought I gained a few lbs, but I was good at hiding it w clothes. I stopped buttoning my pants at 9w.

kgs0505

I'd personally just wait until I was back at work to tell.  Just have a meeting during the time you are doing your set-up before classes start up again. 

I was probably showing more around 13-14 weeks.  I told work around 11 weeks or so.  I was so puffy and wearing maternity clothes since about 9 weeks, so I was worried people would notice the pants.