https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 05 Apr 2026 10:17:23 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-to-wait-to-ttc-at-a-new-job-without-fmla#post-2781591 Mon, 23 Oct 2017 20:45:57 +0000 dc yoga bee 2781591@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PawPrints: It wasn’t so much about my job being there when I return. I agree with you about it being the right thing to do, and get that vibe from themZ They even said during the interview process they absolutely hate trying to find lateral attorneys with experience. My job had been vacant for six months, and they really took their time for the right fit. Which, I’m glad it was still open when I applied! I think I was more worried about how long to be there to “prove” myself, and not piss them off knowing they could offer me zero leave and come back in six weeks after my doctors note. </p> <p>I actually asked today, and it’s not STD. It’s 12 weeks maternity leave and first six weeks are paid by company. No waiting period, and “it’s been such a long time since we’ve had a baby in the office!” Lol. </p> <p>I think I want to wait until lo turns 3 in May, and continue losing weight to give myself the best chance possible with PCOS. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-to-wait-to-ttc-at-a-new-job-without-fmla#post-2781508 Mon, 23 Oct 2017 15:59:34 +0000 PawPrints 2781508@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>To clarify, you're worried because you'd be taking leave with zero guarantee of being able to return to your job, and so you're thinking if you work longer beforehand then they're more likely to decide to hold the position for you? Is that right?</p> <p>Just throwing this out there - I work for an FMLA-exempt company, and they offer an equivalent benefit anyway because it's the right thing to do and they want to be competitive for talent against bigger companies. No actual money, but I get the 60% STD for 6 weeks and my position held for 12 weeks. So if your new gig is really family-friendly it could be worth pushing for the 12-week guarantee. It is possible to negotiate your maternity leave on an individual basis; even after you're in the position. Could be worth a try.</p> <p>As a more direct answer to your question - I wouldn't wait. I'm in the camp that when you're trying, esp if you're having difficulty, the best thing to do in most circumstances is to just keep trying. You never know how long it's going to take and whether you might regret taking time away from it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-to-wait-to-ttc-at-a-new-job-without-fmla#post-2781475 Mon, 23 Oct 2017 14:51:54 +0000 Shantuck 2781475@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've waited to TTC twice after having started new jobs - about a year each time. The first time I got pregnant the first try but the second time it took 14 months to get pregnant and I regretted not having started sooner. I know hindsight is 20/20 but I wish I would have put my family first and my job second (especially since that first job where I was at when I had my first baby is just a distant memory now). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-to-wait-to-ttc-at-a-new-job-without-fmla#post-2781463 Mon, 23 Oct 2017 14:21:58 +0000 ShootingStar 2781463@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would check the specifics of the STD benefits and try to make sure you can qualify for those. When I got pregnant with my first I found out the same week I got a new job as a contractor. </p> <p>I had been unemployed after a layoff and I was determined to live my life. I had to go through infertility treatments too, and it seemed to be silly to wait until I had a job when I wasn't doing anything else. It all worked out in the end. My company hired me full time about 3 weeks before I had DS and I qualified for STD right away. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-to-wait-to-ttc-at-a-new-job-without-fmla#post-2781327 Sun, 22 Oct 2017 20:57:57 +0000 dc yoga bee 2781327@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catlady: When I looked today, I didn't see anything specific for my state. The company pays for STD, so I'm hoping it's at least 6 weeks at 60-70% of my salary. If I'm throwing in a year requirement or "pre-existing condition," then I had thought 3 months would be the minimum to wait. I was too scared to ask HR about maternity benefits during the process lol. I asked for a ludicrous salary, and they said yes.I figured I would cross the maternity leave bridge when we get to it. I had 8 weeks leave saved up when I was at the federal government, so it's not like I've had a long mat leave in the past.</p> <p> *ETA* They're a really family friendly firm. HR has already mentioned hopefully I have a boy next. I tried to play cool, and said I don't know if I can have a second. And she said, "oh you'll totally have another!" As if it were that easy! But, at least it was a positive, "you'll have another," and not "oh no, she's in her childbearing years..." </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-to-wait-to-ttc-at-a-new-job-without-fmla#post-2781322 Sun, 22 Oct 2017 20:43:23 +0000 catlady 2781322@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd probably wait 3 months so that you will have been there a year if you are lucky enough to conceive right away. I wouldn't wait longer.</p> <p>You could still check to see if your state has any requirements for maternity leave. I work for a tiny company and our state had a requirement for 8 weeks unpaid (I negotiated it to 12 weeks). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-to-wait-to-ttc-at-a-new-job-without-fmla#post-2781321 Sun, 22 Oct 2017 20:35:50 +0000 dc yoga bee 2781321@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bloved: Thank you for your insight. And, I'm glad to hear the hail Mary worked! We've got time to save for IVF if it comes to it, but my PCOS has been out of control the last few years. </p> <p>@GoGoSnoGirl: Awe, thanks! Life is good. Busy, but I started running again, and it's been so therapeutic for the soul (and my waistline!)</p> <p>@MaryM: After 5 years in DC, I just crossed the bridge back home in VA! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-to-wait-to-ttc-at-a-new-job-without-fmla#post-2781280 Sun, 22 Oct 2017 16:31:57 +0000 MaryM 2781280@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@dc yoga bee: are you working in DC? If so, wanted to make sure you knew a company only has to have 20 employees for DC FMLA eligibility. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-to-wait-to-ttc-at-a-new-job-without-fmla#post-2781253 Sun, 22 Oct 2017 14:06:23 +0000 GoGoSnoGirl 2781253@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No advice, but I've wondered how you are doing. Congrats on the new job &amp; weight loss! 😊 Best of luck ttc #2! :goodluck: :heart: :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-to-wait-to-ttc-at-a-new-job-without-fmla#post-2781252 Sun, 22 Oct 2017 13:55:36 +0000 bloved 2781252@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly I did not wait. I did IVF with number one and had repeated infertility with number two that resulted in 2 losses and an additional failed IVF. During that time I also found my job/commute incredibly stressful and left and found a new job. I then did a Hail Mary IVF right before starting the new one and it worked. Honestly it was super awkward for me and they only wanted me to take 4 weeks (although my doctor wrote me out for 8 bc of a c-section). </p> <p>That being said, I would do it the same way again. Even though pregnant, I had almost 9 months to prove myself a hard working and valuable employee. Plus I managed to have two observations (reviews) before I announced the pregnancy. So even though I felt terrible leaving so early, it was necessary for me because the not knowing how long it could take, crossing into AMA, and losing the spacing I wanted between kids was affecting my overall mood/life. I just felt I could not put it off anymore. So I think it depends if those are factors for you as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-to-wait-to-ttc-at-a-new-job-without-fmla#post-2781213 Sun, 22 Oct 2017 06:43:00 +0000 dc yoga bee 2781213@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi! I've been away from the boards a bit. We TTC #2 since LO #1 was a little over a year old, and she's now 2.5. After two failed clomid cycles, we've been taking a break TTC. I had been thinking of leaving the federal government for a while, so when an amazing opportunity came up to go to a family friendly company I took it. That being said, my new firm is small small small. FMLA exempt small. As a lawyer in a busy litigation practice, I'm not TTC my first month as I'm establishing myself. </p> <p>I've lost a little over 40 lbs over the past year, and am hoping that will help the PCOS, and TTC. But, how long would you, or did you wait to TTC at a demanding new job that was FMLA exempt? </p>