Up until this last ultrasound my husband and and kept the news of this pregnancy to ourselves and the grandparents-to-be (and the whole ivf.ca community LOL). Something changed in my husband when he saw all that waving and kicking and a smiling (beaming) fertility doctor at the other end of the u/s wand. It was like he suddenly felt very connected to this little being, and he started telling everyone he'd see (even strangers) that we were expecting a baby. He's sprung into full renovation mode to start preparing the house. I even catch him every now and again reading my pregnancy books!
I guess for me it happened much more gradually, and I was still happy to wait a couple more weeks to start spreading the news. Although it is getting more and more difficult to hide my bump. With my husband's excitement, I was forced to tell my supervisor at work, so that she wouldn't hear it from someone else first. This was not a task I was looking forward to. If you've followed my blog for a while you'll remember that she can be very nosy and ask a lot of personal questions. I chose not to share about the whole IVF business at work, but did use a lot of sick time for doctor's appointments and "surgeries".
I broke the news to her yesterday that I am pregnant. She was very happy for me, and was surprised (most other people we've told already had their suspicions). Then she started asking whether I would have a complicated pregnancy because of my previous surgeries and I simply said the doctors didn't think so and we are putting all that past stuff behind us and just enjoying the pregnancy. That seemed to nip that one in the bud.
She's now got ample warning to try to find someone to cover the maternity leave. She asked me when I was planning to work up until. I told her assuming that I do have an uncomplicated pregnancy, I'd like to try to work up to 36 weeks but that I'll have to ask my OB how realistic that is given how physical my job demands are. Any advice on this from those of you who've been there before?
Congrats, girl :)
ReplyDeletepapoose76, 15 June 2011 - 09:05 AM
I am at week 35 today and Friday is my last day. HIGHLY recommend working up until week 36. No matter how uncomplicated your pregnancy up to that point, sleep is very difficult due to the size of your belly by then, getting up to pee every hour on the hour, etc. So yes, working up to week 36 is very smart.
LisainSK, 15 June 2011 - 03:04 PM
The closer you can make it to the birth the more time you have with your baby before you have to go back. But the closer to your due date you work the more likely you might need to leave ahead of plan. For me part of the decision had to do with what was going on at work - finding a good stopping point as it were.
tabby, 15 June 2011 - 04:06 PM
So exciting to be spreading the news! I couldn't imagine asking someone the question your boss asked you about possible complications. Mind your own business, lady! I would recommend working up to 36 weeks, but don't hesitate to go off earlier if you are having insomnia or discomfort. I took that advice and now look back on all that time I had "to myself" and it was truly a rare and wonderful time before baby came along. Kudos to hubby for his excellent nesting instincts!
rhubarb, 15 June 2011 - 07:19 PM
I think the nature of your job might necessitate leaving a bit early unless there's something you can do at work that doesn't involve a lot of physical activity. It might just be awkward and uncomfortable for you. But I'm sure you can work for quite a while!
Way to go on handling your nosy boss!
conky, 16 June 2011 - 03:33 PM
Congrats SD, I'm so very happy for you and DH! All the best! :flowers:
EarthWoman, 16 June 2011 - 06:16 PM
I've already told my work that my last day in the office will be Sept 30th (my due date is Nov 5th). I'm actually saving all the vacation and overtime I have banked and using it for the month of October. I'll be paid to be off the month of October and it won't cut into my maternity leave. :) Not sure if you have any holidays left or can do that but the more you can take prior to birth, the later you can actually push your maternity leave without losing any money! Hope you are well!!!
BeanSprout, 17 June 2011 - 01:28 PM
In fact I do have holidays saved up so the plan would be to use those to cover the first part of December, and then my office is closed around Christmas anyway. Ideally this would mean I wouldn't have to start the EI mat leave until January (DD is Dec 31). BUT, the baby could come early and then that plan would be out the window.
silverdollar, 18 June 2011 - 07:37 AM