Job advancement while newly pregnant

[Anonymous]

My work is going through some reorgs and some promotional/advancement opportunities would be available. I am happy in my current role, especially with flexibility to work remotely and take time off for sick days and appointments. Higher managerial role would likely require more travel along with starting in a new department. I wouldn’t say that these opportunities are rare (maybe every few years), but not common either. Any thoughts from moms that have BTDT, regrets from either side that have either mommy tracked or pushed through for the promotions?

[Anonymous]

I took a huge promotion when I was 8 weeks pregnant. It was my second child. I worked my butt off for those remaining 8 months and gained the trust of my team. They didn’t know I was pregnant until many months later.

Now three kids and have been promoted 2 more times. Had I not taken the job I’d never be where I am today. No regrets whatsoever.

[Anonymous]

BTDT?

[Anonymous]

This is your first kid? So what is logistics for them? Nanny? DH with flexible and part time job? If you push for promotion expectation is work is your priority, and you need to figure out if that fits your planned lifestyle.

I had a promotion with each of our 3 kids, but DH has always had a very stable and flexible job that is family friendly (he would leave by 4 everyday to pickup kids from school/daycare). Even then, I start my day at 5am to get enough work accomplished before dinner and bedtime roles around because my colleagues often work to 7.

[Anonymous]

I have three and took promotions before my first and after each of my first two. I would echo what has been said about the need to work hard and being under a microscope. There are a lot of stereotypes of pregnant women and working moms that can undermine your credibility before you do anything so you may find that you are on the receiving end of resentment if you get a promotion and then need to step away.

It’s doable but specific to each person’s circumstances. Would you tell your potential new boss during the interview process? Would your husband be willing to step up and support you after you went back to work? Are you ok knowing your job would take you away from your baby when they are young? Do you want to nurse/pump?

Frequent travel with a baby will be hard on you, your child, your husband…pumping on business trips is difficult and you can be made to feel unprofessional for needing to step out to pump. A manager who promotes you may be resentful if you were pregnant and didn’t share that with them. Direct reports could feel resentful about needing to step up and cover for a new manager on maternity leave…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have three and took promotions before my first and after each of my first two. I would echo what has been said about the need to work hard and being under a microscope. There are a lot of stereotypes of pregnant women and working moms that can undermine your credibility before you do anything so you may find that you are on the receiving end of resentment if you get a promotion and then need to step away.

It’s doable but specific to each person’s circumstances. Would you tell your potential new boss during the interview process? Would your husband be willing to step up and support you after you went back to work? Are you ok knowing your job would take you away from your baby when they are young? Do you want to nurse/pump?

Frequent travel with a baby will be hard on you, your child, your husband…pumping on business trips is difficult and you can be made to feel unprofessional for needing to step out to pump. A manager who promotes you may be resentful if you were pregnant and didn’t share that with them. Direct reports could feel resentful about needing to step up and cover for a new manager on maternity leave…

Executive women are not your friend. Marianne Lake the highest ranked woman at Chase took two weeks maternity leave each kid. Used a sperm donor no husband and hired a live in to basically raise kids. But she is always preaching work life balance and for working moms.

My current job three highest women. One husband lesser job one kid, second one no husband no kids, third divorced two kids. But all three preach pro family.

And my job the five highest men 3 are divorced.

[Anonymous]

Your first? I personally would not. My first was an absolute nightmare sleeper. I'm assuming the women on here with 3 had relatively easy kids. It's roulette whether your kids are easy or hard.

[Anonymous]

When I was pregnant with my second the paperwork for the annual promotion application period (we have to submit a promotion readiness package) was due the week she was due and I skipped it. I’d applied for a few years while under a different department and hadn’t been selected. When that bag was one (after 5 months leave and transitioning to part-time / 32 hrs a week) I applied figuring there was no way my new department would select me, and they did! Since we pretty much had to perform the work of the new role to be promoted and I’d been a finalist for a few years I didn’t find it a huge transition and I’m glad I applied.