Hello!

I am 2-3 weeks pregnant and have a 10 year old son. I’ve had this job since my son was 8 months old, so haven’t done baby stuff in a while. What’s the best time to tell work you are pregnant? When you start showing? When’s the best time to apply for Centrelink for maternity leave? No one knows how to do all my jobs at work but me, and I rarely take leave (unless my kid is sick), and have never wanted a second child and stated that a lot. But now I’m pregnant, I’ll keep it.. and don’t know how to tell work. Lol sorry long rant…I need any advice anyone can give me as we are so set in our routine at work and life that this will be a huge change!


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  • I think you simply tell them when you are ready to tell people.
    I wouldnt tell people until I was at least 12 weeks but everyone is different and you do what suits you best.


  • Tell your work when you start telling other people – so if you wait three months to announce, wait till then.


  • I think it’s really upto you. I told my boss at 16 weeks…. but told everyone else at 6 months. and that is only because i started to show. If you don’t want to tell anyone that is fine, you can still fill in most of the paperwork etc for centerlink. I would say, come to terms with the pregnancy first, then tell who you need to and tell the rest later. good luck.


  • I told my work early with my 2nd because I was hospitalised (they thought ectopic) so it was very very early. But my job was also secure. I think they will appreciate being told earlier. Good luck!


  • With my first pregnancy, I worked in quite a physically demanding job, so I thought I needed to let my boss know asap as I needed to avoid the lifting etc. He dutifully sacked me, claiming he was replacing me with a male, who was more physically equipped to do my job. I dutifully took him for unfair dismissal and won


  • We started telling people, including work, once I’d had my 12 week appointment with the Dr and all was ok…so around 13 weeks. Depending on your workplace, you may be able to organise maternity leave verbally but some need written correspondence if there is a employment contract in place. It’s best to apply for maternity leave through centrelink well before your due date…then you only need to produce proof of birth to receive it.


  • Legally you dont need to inform your enployer until 10 weeks before your due date, but in this case i dont think that’s wise. As others have stated, I would wait until the end of the first trimester, unless someone asks due to morning sickness, beginning to show etc.


  • I wouldn’t be telling anyone you’re pregnant just yet. It’s way too early. As for your workplace not having anyone who can do your job, that’s their problem and completely up to them to employ and train someone for whilst you’re away on maternity leave


  • The general rule is 12 weeks- you’re past most of the danger and you will start to show soon.


  • I wouldn’t be telling anyone until after 12 to 13 weeks as it is so easy to miscarry. Considering you are what is called a ‘key’ personnel staff then you would have to train someone up so you would need to tell them at that stage. Is there anyway you can continue to work from home for the company? You seem to have a long-term relationship with the company, so maybe you can work from home, then part time when the baby is born – just a thought.


  • It depends on the type of work you do, I told my work at 6 weeks because I had a high risk pregnancy, and I had to apply for maternity leave once I had him for the registration number to say he was born.


  • It really depends on where you work as to when you feel to tell them. Don’t hide the fact but if they ask, just tell them the truth. Also decide for yourself if you want to go back to work after this baby is born or not. This will be some questions they will need answered. It’s a difficult thing to know for sure but I’d say possibly at 6 months would be a good time if you’re not showing before then. It will also depend on what sort of work you do.


  • What is the relationship like with your boss? I was on leave when I was offered a job by a boss I had previously worked at but told him then that I want able to accept the job as I was currently pregnant (4 weeks). He understood that i didn’t want to put him in a situation of having to replace me half way into the year. He also told me that when I’m ready to teach again is be first in the list. I’ve also had a miscarriage and had told people around 10 weeks and then lost the bub the next week. If you’re worried about how they would take it maybe it’s best to get it out early so they can help someone else to learn what you did while you’re on leave. Is always a tricky situation and everyone’s situation is different.


  • I don’t think there is a “rule” on when to tell, but generally I wouldn’t say anything until after the 12 week scan and you’ve told family and friends. Your HR department should be able to assist you with any other obligations you have and if you’re comfortable with the staff in that department you could ask them.


  • With my first, I told them once I hit 12weeks. Although that’s just conincidence. I wanted to tell family first and the day before I told family, I had an emergency issue which revealed I was 12 weeks. Because said emergency had me leave work part way through the day, I felt I needed to explain when I finally returned 4 days later after normal days off and public holidays.
    As for centrelink I think that you can put in your application once you pass the 20week mark aka have your secondary scan. Keeping in mind, it doesn’t get finalised anyway until baby is born, and takes the same processing time regardless of early application or not.


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