Hey Moms! How long did you wait after you found out you were pregnant to let your boss or HR know? Any tips on how to handle it? I’m not sure how to proceed.

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Please hear my warning. I told my boss around 7 weeks because I was leading a big international project that would culminate in an event requiring me to travel for weeks to Europe when I couldn’t (around 36ish weeks). As a courtesy, I wanted to tell her, so that she could position someone else in the client facing role. She told everyone and their mother. Like the homeless man on the street knew. Well, it turned out my pregnancy had major life threatening complications and I ended up terminating the pregnancy. If she kept it to herself or a few others I wouldn’t have had to tell 30+ people I had an abortion. Subsequent pregnancy I didn’t tell anyone until 20 weeks. And it was like very very clear I was pregnant, but I wouldn’t say anything.

likeupliftinghelpful

Thank you for this. I’m sorry to hear that and glad you are ok. Thank you for the advice, very much appreciated.

likeuplifting

I waited until I felt I was showing enough that people would notice on their own. Ended up being @6mo. I was also pregnant when I was hired, so needed a month or so to prove myself. You are under no obligation to say anything before you are ready. Winter makes it easy to hide under layers and well placed scarves.

likesmart

Agree with everything above.

Do not be in a rush to tell anyone. Keep it to yourself as long as you need.

likesmart

I recommend waiting till you are comfortable announcing, based on your personal situation, and ideally by the 6 month mark. This will give your supervisors enough time to plan for your maternity leave and actively support your growing needs during your pregnancy and beyond. This is a wonderful time in your life and you should expect your leaders to ensure your environment, travel, hours, etc are all managed in the best interest of the health and comfort of you and your baby.

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Lots of good advice here. I told one or two people closest to me quite early (like 7 weeks). I knew I could trust them and telling them was also strategic. They are on my team and so I knew they’d help cover for me if morning sickness was really bad or if I had to go to the doctor. It really is just about your comfort level. You don’t have to bear the secret alone if you’re confident you have someone at work you can trust and if telling them would help you through the tough moments. Congrats!!

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My partner told me she was pregnant before anyone else, but I was able to cover meetings for her because of all the appointments and barfing that happens early on. Find someone on your team you trust, having a helping hand is MUCH easier. Also, Congratulations!

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I don’t have experience with this but I would suggest during the offer process maybe you should ask about policies such as maternity and health and other things not in that order so it doesn’t seem obvious and you get your answer. If you decide to sign and take the job wait several weeks and then let them know. We once had a GCD who came in pregnant and I later found out she only took the job for the benefits. She came back after maternity leave and then took a new job shortly thereafter. So if this is your dream job just ask about policies to make sure before you regret the decision because you took the job.

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Thank you everyone! This is all very helpful. 🙌🏼 for having 🐟 bowl for a resource and this specific bowl for all the female support!!!

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Unless you suffer from bad morning sickness or another issue, I concur with others above and would wait until at least the 15th or 16th week if you’re able.

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Six months seems extreme to me... there are a TON of doctor appointments and I couldn’t have attended all of them guilt-free if people didn’t know. I mentioned it to my boss around 12 weeks and HR around 16 weeks

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To my boss around 15 weeks, and then staggered from there. Felt kind of weird as I dont particularly like to share my business in the office... but no choice in this case with my growing belly!

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I made it publicly known after 12 weeks after the heartbeat dr appt. I had had a miscarriage so I didn’t feel comfortable until it felt like a healthy pregnancy. To me personally, it didn’t feel like anyone’s business until then and I had super bad morning sickness. I just barfed in the bathroom s lot and subsisted on bagels.

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Thanks OP. That’s what I plan to do. But this was super helpful :)

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With my first, I told HR at 13 weeks and the test of my team around 15-16 weeks. With my second, since I was showing sooner, I did it closer to 10 weeks.

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It’s generally a good idea not to tell many people before your second trimester anyway. I made the mistake of sharing too early my first pregnancy only to have a miscarriage shortly after. Everyone felt they had to tippy toe around me for weeks afterward which was awkward and embarrassing. As far as what’s too early to alert your boss, it depends on the situation. Anyone who’ll use it against you will do so if you don’t tell soon enough. Just do what’s best for your family.

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I think it depends. I told my boss super early because at that time I had just recently started a job and as you know there are a lot of doctor appointments. But I was also comfortable telling her because I could tell that she was very empathetic and knew how to be discreet

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Definitely keep it to yourself as long as you can. I told my boss around 17 weeks and that felt early. I think 6 mo is good

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And congratulations by the way!!!!

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Thank you! 💕

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