Slightly off topic.....

Flamingo777 · February 2016

hope this is ok to post!

what does everyone do for a career?
i myself run a dog grooming business and it's something I am constantly thinking about whilst TTC.
wondering what does everyone else do?
do you worry that's certain aspects of your job will be a worry whilst pregnant? (For me it's lifting the heavy dogs)
how much time will you take off?
When will you tell colleagues/boss/staff
will you decide to be a stay at home parent for a while??

would love to hear other people's plans

sldp123 · February 2016

I work for the finance department for an insurance company. It's an office job with no travel, so I don't have any concerns about working through a pregnancy.

I will take 12 weeks off, and probably will tell my boss/coworkers after I make it through 1st tri, unless I'm really sick to the point that I feel like I need to let them know sooner.

Sometimes I think maybe I would like to be a SAHM for a few years, but my income is only a little less than half of our household income so that would require some major lifestyle changes. With making the decision to buy a new home, that pretty much takes the possibility of staying home off the table.

BigBadWolf12 · February 2016

Career: Teacher

Do you worry that's certain aspects of your job will be a worry whilst pregnant?
If I get morning sickness any time during the work day it's going to suck, because I can't just run to the washroom whenever needed...I'm already nervous for that because hormone changes often make me nauseous (when I started BCP for the first time, when I missed a BCP mid cycle, when I started it again after missing it, when I stopped BCP to start TTC, etc)

How much time will you take off?
As much time as possible...I might just stay off forever, or I might go back while DH takes a parental leave (the country we live in is good for those kinds of things) so I can rack up the days towards taking another parental leave if we have a #2 close afterwards (of course, this is all hypothetical and probably will work out nothing like intended right now!) Our goal is to avoid daycare though, we want one of us to be home with the baby/child until they're in school if possible.

When will you tell colleagues/boss/staff?
As late as possible...again with the fear of morning sickness interfering with work, it would also require me to tell them earlier than I'd like to...we'll see.

Will you decide to be a stay at home parent for a while?
See above - yes...as long as possible! My mom was a SAHM with my brother and I and it was so nice for us to be able to have that. My DH had either a SAHM or a SAHD while he was growing up too, so it's something we both value and prioritize.

BigBadWolf12 · February 2016

p.s. what are your answers to your own questions, @Flamingo777

SandwichLover · February 2016

I'm a genealogist. I also have a group of employees I manage. I travel back and forth a couple times a month as not all of my staff is in the same state as me. It's not far, a couple hours. I'm more concerned with being able to fulfill that aspect of my position when the baby is finally born.

I plan to take 12 weeks off I guess. I hadn't really thought about it but I think that's the max my company offers. I don't plan to stay at home though, just financially I don't think we could swing it. I do worry about the eventual cost of daycare though.

Flamingo777 · February 2016

@Buthayna that's for unscrambling the questions this is much easier lol

Career: dog groomer

Do you worry that's certain aspects of your job will be a worry whilst pregnant?
Lifting the dogs mainly! And finding time to eat lunch.

How much time will you take off?
I plan on having 2 weeks off, my partner will take 6 months off. Where it is my own business I can't really take more than a month at a push.

When will you tell colleagues/boss/staff?
until I cannot hide the bump any longer!

Will you decide to be a stay at home parent for a while?
No, as much as I would like to its not financially viable. I do however intend to take the baby to work with my one day a week

Megzb510 · February 2016

Career: finance

Do you worry that's certain aspects of your job will be a worry whilst pregnant?
I have a desk job and I can get up whenever I want. The commute is long so I worry about that. It's ends up being 2 hours each way.

How much time will you take off?
We get up to 5-6 months depending on how much vacation time I want to use and how much time i am willing to take unpaid. I would get 12 weeks fully paid though and could take the 12 weeks FMLA unpaid if I wanted.

When will you tell colleagues/boss/staff?
as late as I can. I had terrible morning sickness with my first pregnancy so might not be so successful at that.

Will you decide to be a stay at home parent for a while?
not a chance. I like working and I work with all of my friends. Plus we need my income.

LadyMillil · February 2016

Flamingo777 said:

Career: currently grad student, hopefully becoming a research fellow within the next few weeks

Do you worry that's certain aspects of your job will be a worry whilst pregnant?
Some lab reagents can't be used by pregnant women because they can harm the baby

How much time will you take off?
IF ruined all our plans for this so it will depend on if I've found a new job and what their leave policy is

When will you tell colleagues/boss/staff?
Pretty early since I won't be able to do a few things I normally do in the lab

Will you decide to be a stay at home parent for a while?
No, i won't be taking more than my maternity leave. DH has talked about being a SAHD if we can afford it.

Kay6519 · February 2016

Career: banking industry

Aspects of my job to worry about: none

How much time will you take off: Thankfully the company I work for is an international bank and is very progressive in their maternity leave policies for the US. They give us 5 months paid leave at full pay and up to a year of paid leave with the last seven months at half pay.

When will you tell boss/ colleagues/ staff: I will have to tell them once I start having to schedule doctor's appointments. Work gives us a certain number of paid hours for maternity doctor appointments in addition to our regular vacation hours. So it's better for me to tell them sooner in order to maximize PTO hours.

Will you be a stay at home parent for a while: Maybe. Still thinking about it.

princesslockness · February 2016

Career: Teacher Do you worry that's certain aspects of your job will be a worry whilst pregnant? Nope. If it's anything like my first, it should be a piece of cake. How much time will you take off? Depending on when LO comes, 2-4 weeks, or all summer break. With L I was able to take him for the first 2-3 weeks when no students where there. When will you tell colleagues/boss/staff? After 1st tri. My students would probably figure it out before then. Will you decide to be a stay at home parent? No. I go crazy on summer break without having something to do every day. I would lose my mind if I did it full time.

CajunSnowWhite89 · February 2016

Career: I manage a movie theater. It's nothing glamorous but I really enjoy it and it pays the bills.

Do you worry that's certain aspects of your job will be a worry whilst pregnant? I'm pretty much on my feet my whole shift, but that's mostly because I choose to be. The other problem is that there are a lot of stairs and that'll probably be exhausting towards the end.

How much time will you take off?
Probably a month, then go back slowly. It's not a set schedule so I can easily go back 1-2 days a week for a little while.

When will you tell colleagues/boss/staff?
Probably after 1st tri. I haven't really decided yet.

Will you decide to be a stay at home parent for a while?
Probably not. I'll just cut back a lot. Right now I work full time because I don't have anything else to do, but my boss doesn't need me to work so much, he just schedules me like that because I want to.

hanshotfirst77 · February 2016

TW previous pregnancy mentioned

career: Tech support

do you worry about an aspect of your job: it can be a lot of walking around but other Than that not really. I remember towards the end of my last pregnancy I was getting tired and hard to move around so much. So I did a lot of desk work.

how much time will you take off: 12 weeks or more if possible.

when will you tell boss: probably around 10 weeks or after seeing hearing a heartbeat. That's when I told last time just so boss understood why I was taking off for dr appts, and if I was sick or tired he understood.

will you be SAHM: I would love love love to! But it's not possible for us. We need the income. But if my husband got a huge raise or promotion I would do it in a second.

babymish · February 2016

Career: Marketing & advertising sales

Do you worry that's certain aspects of your job will be a worry whilst pregnant?
It involves a fair amount of international travel, I'll have to be careful and as a result may need to tell them earlier than I'd like to depending on where they may want me to travel to.

How much time will you take off?
All of it, I won't be going back.

When will you tell colleagues/boss/staff?
As late as possible.

Will you decide to be a stay at home parent for a while?
Yes indefinitely. Once things become settled and a routine can begin with baby in nursey 1-2 days per week I will start off my own business from home (probably pick up my mum's website as she retired this year and continue with that). It doesnt have to bring in loads of money, just enough so that we have some spare cash again.

izza2 · February 2016

Career: CNA; Working on my Nursing degree.

Do you worry that's certain aspects of your job will be a worry whilst pregnant?
No. It'll be long hours, but, plenty of women do it.

How much time will you take off?
It all depends, to be honest. Might be 8 weeks, might be more, might be less.

When will you tell colleagues/boss/staff?
Likely once I'm in the second trimester.

Will you decide to be a stay at home parent for a while?
No; I don't have as much of a work ethic as my husband has, but he's honestly the better parent, so if one of us were to stay at home it would be him. He has a lot more patience than I do, and to be honest he deserves some time off of work if we can ever afford it.

PennStateCait · February 2016

Career: Teacher

Do you worry that's certain aspects of your job will be a worry whilst pregnant?
Like @buthayna I worry about morning sickness.

How much time will you take off?
I am quitting at the end of this school year and relocating for MH's job. MH's company offered me a part-time position, so probably 12 weeks and then I'll go back to work part-time with very flexible hours.

When will you tell colleagues/boss/staff?
My colleagues are my best friends, so probably the day after I tell MH. I'll tell my boss a few weeks later... as a teacher I can't take off a bunch of hours for dr appts without explaining to my boss.

Will you decide to be a stay at home parent for a while?
It's possible.

picklesplease · February 2016

Career: I teach English as a Second Laanguage for high school students. Most of them are non traditional students trying to graduate from high school before they turn 21 and age out.

Do you worry that's certain aspects of your job will be a worry whilst pregnant? I do worry that, should I have morning sickness, that I won't be able to sneak out of my class in order to be discreet. But other than that, I can be on my feet as much or as little as I want. I once injured my back and my students were so great about not letting me move, so I imagine they'll help me out when I'm pregnant. I have some great kids.

How much time will you take off? I currently have about 4 weeks of PTO saved up. I'll get another 12 days next school year. I will most likely take 6 weeks and just not get paid the last week of my leave. Before I got married, I always thought I'd get pregnant in the summer and have my baby near the end of the school year and take my maternity leave so that I can get the last 6-8 weeks off from school and then just have the whole summer off. I've learned the hard way that that's not always the case.

When will you tell colleagues/boss/staff? Definitely waiting until after 1st trimester. I'm also excited to figure out how to tell my students. They will flip!

Will you decide to be a stay at home parent for a while?
I wish it was an option, but DH and I need my income and health insurance. If one of us were to be a stay at home parent, it would most likely be DH. Lucky bastard...lol!

MamaMunn · February 2016

Career: I work in nursing at a near by hospital on the cardio unit

Do you worry that's certain aspects of your job will be a worry whilst pregnant?
Some times I worry a little. I work 12 hour shifts where I'm on my feet all day. I also come into contact with people who are really sick with various diseases so that some times concerns me. Many of the women I work with have worked through their pregnancies though and I figure if they can make it I can too!

How much time will you take off?
It really depends on how the pregnancy goes I think. I'm working on saving up my PTO now and will hopefully be picking up extra hours to gain extra PTO and money to save up. I would love to stay home 12 weeks, but I'm not sure if that will be realistic. It might end up being more like 8

When will you tell colleagues/boss/staff?
If I can keep it to myself until 2nd tri that would be great. However I'm not sure if that is realistic since there will be some things I shouldn't do while pregnant.

Will you decide to be a stay at home parent for a while?
No that wouldn't be a good financial decision for us.

Sirius37 · February 2016

Career: Environmental scientist

Do you worry that's certain aspects of your job will be a worry whilst pregnant?
I work with a lot of chemicals when I'm in the field (methanol, HCL, etc.). It's usually in small quantities, but it's likely something I get stuck in the office for at some point.

How much time will you take off?
Well, I am trying to break more into the wildlife sector of biology, so I would be okay with never going back to my current workplace! But if I end up somewhere I enjoy before getting pregnant, I like the idea of 3 months or so.

When will you tell colleagues/boss/staff?
Likely not until after the first trimester.

Will you decide to be a stay at home parent for a while?
In the beginning I would like to stay home as much as feasible (see two questions above), but knowing me I would eventually want to go back to work at least part time.

blush64 · February 2016

Career: I am currently at home but I will be returning to school in the summer.(and part-time work) I was working at a health clinic for several years. (in a couple of different positions)

I might have to keep my work load a bit lighter if things become difficult but I purposely didn't return to fulltime work when I offered to be a surrogate last year.

I will be entitled to about 4 months off since I am the surrogate and I won't actually have the baby after giving birth. I was planning on taking the whole time off if I was working but I will be in school as well so I will wait and see what works best. EDIT It would be a year if it was my own baby.

If I find a part-time job that is suitable before I am pregnant I will tell them when I am just over 3 or 4 months. If I am pregnant first it will depend on how far along I am. Since I am not planning on taking a lot of time off and my life won't be altered a great deal after giving birth I won't tell them as early as if I were going to have my own baby.

Stay at home parent won't apply to me for this pregnancy. I have been for 2 years since my daughter was born and I was for the first few years of my sons lives as well. I am looking to finish school while working as much as possible and still able to take care of things at home, so the part-time work probably won't be that many hours.

MonaLisaRalphio · February 2016

Career: Teacher

Do you worry that's certain aspects of your job will be a worry whilst pregnant? I don't worry, but it'll be interesting to see how it goes. I have a pretty convenient setup in that my classroom is right across the hall from our teacher resource room, which has a private bathroom in it. And I teach high school, so I can always duck out for a second if there's an emergency. My stomach can be kind of weird in the acid reflux-y way, but I typically have a strong constitution when it comes to yuck-factor. So I don't really know what to expect with regarded to nausea/sickness. I'll just have to take it as it comes.

How much time will you take off? I'll have to take all my accrued vacation days (I currently have about 10 days plus 3 "urgent personal business" days, and I should accrue 8-10 days between now and then), and then I'll qualify for 12 weeks of FMLA. I intend to take every solitary second of that time. Chances are, my leave will line up with some sort of vacation time (winter break or spring break or summer break), so I'll most likely have at least a few extra days to pad in there. So I guess 4 months is the minimum I'd take, but I'd like to be able to do more like 7-8.

When will you tell colleagues/boss/staff? Women at my school are always getting pregnant. Frequently, the students are getting pregnant. It's just like. Not a big deal. So I'll tell them whenever it becomes a necessity.

Will you decide to be a stay at home parent for a while? It's unlikely. I really love teaching. And also, we have bills to pay. I would love to be able to teach part-time for a couple of years, but those opportunities are few and far between.

MrsDho11 · February 2016

OP, it's fine to post something like this. Next time though give it a title like "GTKY: Careers" or something so that it's easy to see/remember what it is off the home page.

zrain · February 2016

**TW loss mentioned**

Career:
I'm a registered nurse in critical care

Do you worry that certain aspects of your job will be a worry whilst pregnant?
Like @MamaMunn I worry about the various diseases my patients have. Our patient are also really sick so sometimes they're confused and combative and there's risk for injury. I'm also worried about my super pregnancy nose. When I was pregnant before, body odor was incredibly offensive and gave me headaches. I wasn't working at that time so I don't know what other horrible odors would set me off, but you certainly encounter plenty of horrible smelly smells in the hospital.

How much time will you take off?
I'm going to try for 18 weeks. We get 6 weeks with short term disability pay (60%), then can take 6 weeks FMLA and 6 weeks OFLA (Oregon Family Leave Act), but FMLA and OFLA aren't paid leave. I do have 4 weeks of PTO saved up and will accrue more, so I'll probably space out using the PTO so we get at least a little income from me during that time

When will you tell colleagues/boss/staff?
I told all my coworkers about my loss and got wonderful support so I don't feel a need to wait til the second tri. Honestly, I'll probably tell whoever is at work the day after I get a BFP. My unit is very close and open and supportive of one another.

Will you decide to be a stay at home parent for a while?
No, we couldn't afford that with the amount of student loans we have, but I will go part time and work 2 days a week instead of 3.

@Flamingo77 Great topic!

@Megzb510 Oh dear, I hadn't thought about the commute. Mine is an hour, but an hour with a huge belly and squished bladder would be difficult. I guess we could always stop part way to pee

@Kay6519 Your maternity leave is amazing! I'm jealous.

EgnaroBean · February 2016

This is a great GTKY thread! Thank you, OP!

Career: I work in student affairs at a major public university (interesting how many of us are in the field of education, right??)

Do you worry that's certain aspects of your job will be a worry whilst pregnant?
I worry about keeping my emotional responses productive during all the hormone changes--both at work and at home. That's an ongoing dimension of my professional and personal life, but I expect it will intensify!

How much time will you take off?
probably 8-12 weeks.

When will you tell colleagues/boss/staff?
sooner than later. I'm very transparent in the workplace, and I also have a lot of conviction about how our culture values and supports (or doesn't) women in leadership--and pregnant leaders are a big part of that.

Will you decide to be a stay at home parent for a while? Not planning on it. If we decide that one of us should make a career change to spend more time at home it would more likely be SO.

itsmehere1212 · February 2016

Career:
Elementary Teacher

Do you worry that certain aspects of your job will be a worry whilst pregnant?
My only concern, so far, is going to the bathroom, whether it be for nausea or bladder. I don't get a break during the day since we have such a small staff, after 9:00, unless I can get someone to come to my room, breaks are out. I usually hit 3:45 and realize I haven't gone to the bathroom all day.

How much time will you take off?
I'm definitely taking all my time, but I will most likely be taking the rest of the school year off depending on when I actually have a baby.

When will you tell colleagues/boss/staff?
I'm waiting as long as possible. Right now what's going on in my uterus is a topic people seem to want to talk about a lot. We have a lot of pregnant people at work and everyone assumes I'm next, so people keep asking me. It's annoying.

Will you decide to be a stay at home parent for a while?
Yes. We have been saving for me to take a whole school year off. If necessary, I will sub two days a week after that. But the plan is me being at home.

ChelleCPA · February 2016

Career: CPA in the public accounting industry

Do you worry that's certain aspects of your job will be a worry whilst pregnant?
I don't worry about the type of work I do so much as the time demands. The public accounting industry is not a popular choice for new mothers as there are several months a year that require 60+ hour weeks. I'm not sure yet how I'll balance that much work with a baby or even if I will really want to.

How much time will you take off?
I plan on 8-12 weeks. The firm does not fall under FMLA requirements due to the size, but they do allow up to 12 weeks. My firm has also paid for additional short term disability so some of that will be covered. If I become pregnant anytime during the next 4 months, the birth/maternity leave will fall during our busy time. Initially we were going to avoid during that time, but it's already been five months, so we're going to keep trying. Our home life is more important than my work life.

When will you tell colleagues/boss/staff?
I'll probably tell in that 12-16 week window unless something happens and I need to earlier.

Will you decide to be a stay at home parent for a while?
we don't have the option for me to stay at home. I bring home significantly more of the bacon. Ideally I'd like to eventually work part-time, 25-30 hours per week.

thefarmerswife0411 · February 2016

Kay6519 said:

Career: banking industry

Aspects of my job to worry about: none

How much time will you take off: Thankfully the company I work for is an international bank and is very progressive in their maternity leave policies for the US. They give us 5 months paid leave at full pay and up to a year of paid leave with the last seven months at half pay.

When will you tell boss/ colleagues/ staff: I will have to tell them once I start having to schedule doctor's appointments. Work gives us a certain number of paid hours for maternity doctor appointments in addition to our regular vacation hours. So it's better for me to tell them sooner in order to maximize PTO hours.

Will you be a stay at home parent for a while: Maybe. Still thinking about it.

OMG! I'm in Banking as well- do you mind if I ask which bank you're at? That is incredible! If you don't want to give away the full name, perhaps a hint like the color combo of the logo or something? LOL!

m6agua · February 2016

Career: Graphic Designer

Do you worry that's certain aspects of your job will be a worry whilst pregnant?
Not really.

How much time will you take off?
Depending on the time of year I have a baby. I can get 6 weeks paid, but may take the full 12 through FMLA.

When will you tell colleagues/boss/staff?
*TW* Previous pregnancy/loss mentioned
With my first pregnancy I told 1 person around 8 weeks. She had just came back from maternity leave so I was asking her all sorts of questions. I then lost that pregnancy around 11 weeks. There are about 4 people in my office who know. Because of all of this I think I would tell my co-workers pretty early on instead of waiting. I work in a small close knit office of less than 30 people.

Will you decide to be a stay at home parent for a while?
Probably not.

Flamingo777 · February 2016

Ahhhh gtky! Been lurking for months and still can't get the hang of all the abbreviations

thefarmerswife0411 · February 2016

**TW: BFP MENTIONED, NOT MINE**

Career: Corporate Banking/Treasury Management

Do you worry that's certain aspects of your job will be a worry whilst pregnant? My job involves occasional travel for client meetings but I worry most about the anxiety/stress I can feel depending on how busy my portfolio of clients is on any given day. I strongly believe that anxiety/stress level @ my previous banking job in Chicago effected my ability to get pregnant. Another teammate of mine struggled as well & ended up having to go through fertility treatments & IUI before finally getting her BFP, so freaking happy for her. I asked how she is coping now & she just says when she feels any bit, even 1 second of stress she gets up & walks away & I 100% agree with that, NO JOB is worth risking anything related to personal/baby stuff.

How much time will you take off? At the minimum 12 weeks.

When will you tell colleagues/boss/staff? Unless otherwise necessary only DH & I will know for the 1st trimester. I think my insurance might make me tell them by 8weeks but I'd have to review. I also might let my manager only know (who is currently KTFU) depending on how I feel sickness wise once I KTFU.

Will you decide to be a stay at home parent for a while? DH knows, especially after my "temporary housewife" gig for the last 2 months while we relocated & I was waiting to start my new job that I would absolutely love nothing more than to be a SAHM. That is our ultimate goal; however depending on when I get pregnant I'm not sure if it will be feasible in the near future due to finances. Last year was a spend spend spend year, this year we're focusing on saving & paying down debts. I'd like to get to a point where we're living mainly on his income so we can see what it would be like without me working. If it worked out, I'd love to be SAH for the 1st 5 years until they're in school full time, then I'd like pick something part time up for extra income.

canavara · February 2016

**TW loss mentioned**

Career: Senior software engineer for a popular online education platform

Do you worry that's certain aspects of your job will be a worry whilst pregnant?
My job in the past half year has become very stressful. I'm more concerned that the stress is going to be a problem TTC than while pregnant (because I think people are more reasonable once they know you are, but since most normal people don't air it to the world that they're TTC, well...)

How much time will you take off?
If the stars align perfectly, 3 months. My company does a paid month maternity/paternity leave and they also do a month sabbatical when you've been with the company for 3 years (I'm super close to that). And then I'd just do the last month unpaid.

When will you tell colleagues/boss/staff?
Probably not until the end of first trimester. I had a loss last summer at ~10 weeks. I had to take a week off work because it was a MMC and I needed a D&C--I had to tell our entire engineering team about the unexpected time off, and vaguely described it as an "unexpected surgery." I told a few people I work with about the loss, but I'd hate to have everyone know I'm pregnant and potentially go through loss again. Telling people individually who I trust is so much different.

Will you decide to be a stay at home parent for a while?
I already work from home (since I work for an online company) and my OH is a partner at his company just down the street, so I don't really see any need for either of us to leave our jobs aside from taking some time off at the beginning. I might look into daycare eventually just because I want to make sure my child has good opportunities to interact with other babies, but it's not something I've put a lot of thought into yet.

mrsdaddario · February 2016

I guess I'll play too

Career: Receiving/Inventory Manager

Do you worry that certain aspects of your job will be a worry whilst pregnant? I think the only thing that worries me is I have a long commute to work, 1.5 hours each way. I dislike it now, I can't imagine how I'll feel while being pregnant. My job is fairly easy though, so I won't worry about work stress.

How much time will you take off? Minimally 12 weeks, but I'm hoping I won't need to go back.

When will you tell colleagues/boss/staff?
I've been at my job for a really long time and everyone there is like family. It's a hushed knowledge that DH and I are trying. BUT I don't really want anyone to know until I am in the clear, second tri. I'm sure it will be hard to keep secret but I'm going to try like hell when the time comes.

Will you decide to be a stay at home parent for a while?
DH and I go back and forth about this. He earns a lot more than I do, and we could swing me staying home (both my mom and his were SAHM's so it's our ultimate goal) but we go back and forth on it. We could afford it but that's not to say money wouldn't be tight. Fingers crossed though.

Kay6519 · February 2016

@thefarmerswife0411 The logo may have some blue and a a white / grayish white.

@zrain I am incredibly grateful for their leave policy. It is considerably better than places I have worked at in the past, especially considering how behind the times the US seems to be when it comes to maternity leave.

NurseMarie9 · February 2016

Career: RN in surgery / post-op recovery

Do you worry that's certain aspects of your job will be a worry whilst pregnant?
Most of my patients aren't the "sicky sick" ones so I don't have to worry too much about diseases. But of course I'll have to stay away from the shingles and keep a far distance from x-rays. I work 12 hours shifts, but I'm sure I'll be fine.

How much time will you take off?
I'm currently trying to save up for 12 weeks. I calculated that if I don't take any time off for the rest of this year, I'll have enough for a full paid maternity leave! Ha. I'm lucky that I work only 3 days a week so if I need to take a day off, it's easy to move my schedule around using PTO.

When will you tell colleagues/boss/staff?
Most likely near 12 weeks. It may be hard to keep it away from my co-workers, because they always know everything especially when someone is pregnant.

Will you decide to be a stay at home parent for a while?
Not at this time, darn student loans!

AliciaGoose · February 2016

Career:
High School Teacher

Do you worry that's certain aspects of your job will be a worry whilst pregnant?
Mostly having to run to the bathroom for any given reason and not being able to! Especially during several classes in a row. I worry more about what will happen when I come back, i.e. losing the classes I teach or my room!

How much time will you take off?
12 weeks of FMLA. I would like more but I'm not tenured so I don't qualify at this point for any additional days. Unless I want to use my sick days but I don't think it's a good idea to use them up! I'm hoping my leave will back up to some type of break so I get a little extra built in time.

When will you tell colleagues/boss/staff?
I'll tell a few select friends early on (only 1 or 2). My boss I won't tell until after 12 weeks. And then the rest when I feel comfortable. Or start to show!

Will you decide to be a stay at home parent for a while?
I can't chose to for a while without having to give up my job, and I LOVE my job. My school is amazing and I can't imagine working anywhere else. So I don't think I will. DH and I have talked about it and he would be ok with it if I wanted to so I guess I'll decide when the time comes. But I don't think so.

Edit: Spelling

wintersong · February 2016

aliciabhen said:

Career:
High School Teacher

Do you worry that's certain aspects of your job will be a worry whilst pregnant?
Mostly having to run to the bathroom for any given reason and not being able to! Especially during several classes in a row. I worry more about what will happen when I come back, i.e. losing the classes I teach or my room!

How much time will you take off?
12 weeks of FMLA. I would like more but I'm not tenured so I don't qualify at this point for any additional days. Unless I want to use my sick days but I don't think it's a good idea to use them up! I'm hoping my leave will back up to some type of break so I get a little extra built in time.

When will you tell colleagues/boss/staff?
I'll tell a few select friends early on (only 1 or 2). My boss I won't tell until after 12 weeks. And then the rest when I feel comfortable. Or start to show!

Will you decide to be a stay at home parent for a while?
I can't chose to for a while without having to give up my job, and I LOVE my job. My school is amazing and I can't imagine working anywhere else. So I don't think I will. DH and I have talked about it and he would be ok with it if I wanted to so I guess I'll decide when the time comes. But I don't think so.

Edit: Spelling

I took fmla leave, but it was unpaid where I teach. I had to use sick days and short term disability. I didn't have the choice to not take them and just go unpaid.

CoonMom · February 2016

Career: Payroll Accountant at a manufacturing company

Do you worry that's certain aspects of your job will be a worry whilst pregnant?
Not really.

How much time will you take off?
I'm in the minority and will only take the 6 or 8 weeks paid FMLA leave. DH doesn't make enough for me to take unpaid leave.

When will you tell colleagues/boss/staff?
*TW* Previous pregnancy/loss mentioned
With my first pregnancy I told 2 people the day after my BFP because they know we'd been trying. I ended up telling my boss about my MC (at 6 weeks) and she spread the news (I'm not happy about that). I'm on the fence about the next one.

Will you decide to be a stay at home parent for a while? Unfortunately DH doesn't make enough to support us:(

rkstro2 · February 2016

Career: anesthesiologist

Do you worry about certain aspects of your job while pregnant? At this point I don't worry too much bc pregnancy is starting to seem less and less likely, but if it does happen then the job hazards of radiation and inhaled anesthetic gasses. Plus also the worry that we take care of ladies in all aspects of pregnancy and I wouldn't want a pregnant anesthesiologist if I were having a procedure for a loss or something similar. I have become so much more sensitive to this topic during my TTC journey.

How much time time will you take off: 6-8 weeks.

When will you tell colleagues/boss: would love to wait till end of 1st trimester but gonna have to tell early bc of multiple reasons. We are a private practice so my imaginary impending maternity leave will have to be planned for/covered ASAP, and also the physical hazards mentioned in question 2 will have to be taken into consideration in room
assignments. So I'll be sharing my positive HPT (if it ever happens) unfortunately ASAP.

Will you decide to be a stay at home parent for. While? No except the above mentioned maternity leave. I love my job.

atcwag · February 2016

Kay6519 said:

How much time will you take off: Thankfully the company I work for is an international bank and is very progressive in their maternity leave policies for the US. They give us 5 months paid leave at full pay and up to a year of paid leave with the last seven months at half pay.

So beyond jealous of this...I'm thankful that I am able to take 12 weeks, but I still think that's a pitiful excuse of leave if I've ever seen one. This country is so behind. It's maddening and makes me unbelievably sad.

FiancB · February 2016

Career: nursing student, though even if I get pregnant right this second I will have graduated and hopefully started working by the time baby got here

Do you worry about certain aspects of your job while pregnant? I'm more worried about timing. *previous pregnancy/loss mention* the timing before, when I would've been due in July, would've been perfect. I would've graduated in May, taken the NCLEX, had the baby when H was off for the summer, then start working when I felt ready. Now I'd end up being due in December at the earliest, so I could end up interviewing while pregnant, or not qualifying for leave. I don't want to wait though.

Otherwise, depends on what kind of nursing I go into. I'm guessing my first job will be at a TCU in a nursing home or something like that, shouldn't really be anything more exotic than pneumonia or C. diff going on, so I'm not too worried about it. Though I was just starting to get super-smell in clinical and that was bothersome.

How much time time will you take off: As much as I can, though the thought of using vacation time and whatnot is depressing. If I have leave, I'll take it all, if I don't, I think 6-8 weeks is probably reasonable. Even if I don't technically qualify for leave, I'm sure that the facility I end up working at would rather take me back than break in a different new person, so I'm not super worried about it. Maybe I'm overly optimistic. Other nurses, thoughts?

When will you tell colleagues/boss: Previously, I told my instructor right away in case there was anything dangerous, and I also wanted her to know what was going on in case I had to run to puke or something. I would probably do the same again, probably at around 8 weeks, or earlier if I was getting sick or had other concerns.

Will you decide to be a stay at home parent for. While? I'd love to but it's more likely that H would be a SAHD. Maybe we'll take turns. He's a teacher so he has the steady job, so I'm hoping I can get something flexible to complement that.

mrsstuessy · February 2016

Career: SAHM/self-employed Birth Doula (I also have a social work degree, but I am not using it right now)

Do you worry about certain aspects of your job while pregnant? I do worry about my job as a birth doula, while pregnant. It includes being there for 30+ hour labors and lots of physical work, helping women in labor. I do worry if I will be able to handle that. Also, during my last pregnancy I missed several days of work because I was so sick I couldn't get off the couch. I can't imagine helping a woman in labor feeling like that. And I can't just call in, because I own my own business and there is no one else to take my spot.

How much time time will you take off: Well, it is totally up to me, since I am self employed. I won't get any time off being a SAHM. So, that will be rough. I imagine probably not scheduling any births at least a month before my due date, just in case, and a couple months after at least. So, I will probably have about 4 months off. It will just depend on finances and how the business is going.

When will you tell colleagues/boss: I am my own boss, so I suppose when the pink line shows up. haha. I had to tell my boss last pregnancy super early, which was annoying. I was a nanny and after the 4th sick day in less than two weeks I just had to tell her why. I also had to tell my bosses at my internship early because I was missing so much. So, they all knew around 7-8 weeks. And then my boss told everyone else at work at like 9 weeks. That was annoying.

Will you decide to be a stay at home parent for. While? I am a SAHM right now and plan on continuing that. It is really a priority for me. I have been home for the last 2.5 years with my daughter and we hope to have a few more kids. I probably won't have a job, other than doulaing, until the last one is in school.

AliciaGoose · February 2016

longliveregina said:

aliciabhen said:

Career:
High School Teacher

Do you worry that's certain aspects of your job will be a worry whilst pregnant?
Mostly having to run to the bathroom for any given reason and not being able to! Especially during several classes in a row. I worry more about what will happen when I come back, i.e. losing the classes I teach or my room!

How much time will you take off?
12 weeks of FMLA. I would like more but I'm not tenured so I don't qualify at this point for any additional days. Unless I want to use my sick days but I don't think it's a good idea to use them up! I'm hoping my leave will back up to some type of break so I get a little extra built in time.

When will you tell colleagues/boss/staff?
I'll tell a few select friends early on (only 1 or 2). My boss I won't tell until after 12 weeks. And then the rest when I feel comfortable. Or start to show!

Will you decide to be a stay at home parent for a while?
I can't chose to for a while without having to give up my job, and I LOVE my job. My school is amazing and I can't imagine working anywhere else. So I don't think I will. DH and I have talked about it and he would be ok with it if I wanted to so I guess I'll decide when the time comes. But I don't think so.

Edit: Spelling

I took fmla leave, but it was unpaid where I teach. I had to use sick days and short term disability. I didn't have the choice to not take them and just go unpaid.

Oh no! Sorry to hear that. Luckily I live in a place where FMLA is (at least partially) paid, so for us taking sick days is an option we can pick if we want extra days, not something we're forced into taking. I wish you had the same options!

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