2nd Pregnancy - When did you tell your employer?

[Anonymous]

I'm 14 weeks along with my 2nd pregnancy and feel absolutely huge. I've only been in my job for 4-5 months and am delaying sharing the news. I feel like I need to soon though b/c I'm really showing. I swear I've already put on 10 pounds and look like I'm 5 months pregnant! Is/was anyone out there in a similar situation and when did you tell work?

[Anonymous]

My boss got pregnant the day she was offered her job so she was a month along when she started. She told them at 12 weeks and worked her butt off until her maternity leave, then came back after two months. Another woman in our company did much the same. I would be prepared not to get as much maternity leave (some companies require that you have been there for a minimum amount of time) and to show your committment to the job in other ways as much as you can (not always easy when you're exhausted by dealing with pregnancy and DC #1!)

[Anonymous]

Thank you PP - I realize I'm going to have to work that much harder and will get no maternity leave. If only we'd timed this better! The hardest thing for me is going to be having the conversation with my boss and explaining to her that I will be out for some period of weeks having not been in the job even a full year. Under FMLA, I technically have no job protection since I won't have been in here for a year but I just have to hope they'll be understanding!

[Anonymous]

Good luck. It's in your favor that you already have one child b/c it shows you're committed to being a working mom. Just be very confident and upfront and tell them that you wish the timing was different but it won't impact your work. And make your OB appointments now so you get timeslots that won't make you miss too much work!

[Anonymous]

I am 12 weeks with my first and showing. I plan to wait until 5 months to inform my employer so that I may receive my review and hopefully raise before they know. I think this is the best way. employers do not view this as good news! Good luck!