Telling your boss your pregnant? also, working into your ninth month « Back to Group Discussions

[ciga]

Okay, so last year was my first working in a seasonal position for this huge fair that my state's organic farming organization puts on every Fall.  The Fair happens the second to last weekend of September so I will obviously be hugely pregnant by that point.  I was just writing an e-mail to the Fair Director to check in and make sure they still want me back/figure out when I would start and I'm feeling like I should tell him I'm pregnant.  Mainly because it will inevitably have an effect on my job towards the end. Most of my work is in the preparation stages over the course of the summer but I was still running all over the place during the actual Fair last year (though I really didn't need to be as I could have just as easily plopped myself in the office or at the Volunteer Registration tent and been fully effective in my job)

Anyway, I guess I'm wondering if I should let him know in this e-mail or if it's okay to wait until the 2nd trimester.   There was some talk of expanding my position into something year round rather than seasonal in which case I would feel 100% obliged to tell him.

Maybe I'm over thinking this...I just couldn't decided if I was throwing it out there before it was necessary.

Anyone here work late into their ninth month?

[revolting]

I worked until my due date with my first child. I did not tell them I was pregnant until they asked (and almost wish I had lied). I worked fast food, and I did not feel like it affected my job other than they decided they did not want a visibly pregnant woman waiting tables so they hid me in the drive-through. I would have vastly preferred waiting tables.

[Mosaic]

I worked until my babies were born both times. (DD1 was born on a Sun, and I worked that Friday; DD2 was born 3.5 hrs after I left the office!) I vote for waiting until the second tri and then coming up with a contingency plan that will show you're committed to meeting the job's needs even if you personally can't do it (due to health issues, early baby, etc.).

[ciga]

Thanks ladies, I think that as long as they don't offer me the year round position in the next few weeks I'll just keep it to myself. I mean, I haven't even been to my midwife yet so...

I also appreciate hearing about mamas who worked up til delivery.  Last time around I was self employed working in my studio at home so I could take breaks and days off whenever I needed it.  This will be different but I I feel like I can do it just fine.

[Shiloh]

I just accepted a contract that goes until December. Its good $ like OMG good.
I'm due October 25.
I am only 7+5 today.
I will work after if its only a few weeks. 5th baby I know the drill dp can do 2 months I can pump. I can go on mat leave after xmas.

[eloise24]

I work until baby is born . . . but I'm in a different kind of position.  DH and I are houseparents for kids with discipline/behavior issues- we currently have 8 boys living with us (ages 8-11)  . . . so in some ways it's like having a huge family, in other ways it isn't.  It's hard to keep up with everything by the 9th month, but they are understanding and I can do a lot of supervising sitting down!  And then back to work about 3 days after baby is born . . .

[Serafina33]

Originally Posted by Shiloh 5th baby I know the drill dp can do 2 months I can pump. I can go on mat leave after xmas.

Have you ever done pumping-all-day during the first 8 weeks, and only nursing during nights?  It sounds tricky in terms of the pump not being the same thing as a baby during those very first weeks of establishing a supply and growth spurts when baby needs to communicate to your supply about being ready for a spike in needs, etc, but if you know it works, you know it works!  

[Shiloh]

I can work from home too so its not like I'd be gone for more than 4 hour stretches. Mind you that's me newly pregnant talking. Now I'm screw that I will be poor and take a year off. Lol.
I'm probably going to cack out in September. However we will see how I feel. If I can just go in twice a week. It might be doable and I would make 3x as much as matleave pay or stay home and blow bubbles on baby tummies and skip all luxuries.

[Serafina33]

My job ended last month but now my former boss tells me there is a new opportunity.  Do I tell him I'm pregnant?  Hmmmmm.....

My current client that I'm doing freelance work for, also doesn't know but next week when he sees me, it may be obvious if I take off drapey cardigan/coats.  Hmmmm....  drapey cardigan + scarf could work, he's never seen me pre-preg so he could just think I'm a rolly polly.

Why don't I want them to know?  I can't imagine that it would help me to get more hours/work opportunities.....unfortunately.  :/

[Shiloh]

4 months.

[ciga]

I'm in a similar situation now. It has changed a bit since I started this thread.  What was a seasonal job that would have ended right before my due date has now officially become a year round job that I annoyingly have to re-apply for. Anyway, I had my initial interview for it yesterday and I told them I was pregnant.  I just wanted to have everything on the up and up, especially because they are people I have an existing relationship with.  It sounds like you have that as well being that it is a former employer.

My sister applied for a new job back when she was pregnant with her first.  She did not tell them in the interview process and she honestly felt like everyone in the office treated her like crap once they found out.  Once she had the baby, they really stuffed her in a corner and stopped giving her any real meaningful projects to work on. It sucked for her.  I had totally forgotten her experience when I started this thread.  I realize that  income is really important (it is for us right now)  but I also know I don't want to possibly end up working in a hostile work environment with people who resent me.  That just feels more stressful that it is worth.

So, my two cents is be honest and make it clear to them that you can still be awesome at your job and you are still really enthusiatic about working.