https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 14 Apr 2026 18:16:35 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-started-a-new-job-but-want-to-start-ttc-what-to-do#post-2706393 Mon, 06 Mar 2017 13:26:17 +0000 2PeasinaPod 2706393@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Wanderlusternyc: You'll never be fully ready to have a baby! I would also wait until you're in your job for 3 months though. It's only a few more months of waiting, and you can take advantage of FMLA (you have to be somewhere for 1 year and work a total of 1,250 hours during that time) as well as all of the amazing leave laws CA has. Missing that by a month could leave you with having to go back to work well before you're ready. Lots of luck TTC!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-started-a-new-job-but-want-to-start-ttc-what-to-do#post-2706383 Mon, 06 Mar 2017 13:12:45 +0000 Wanderlusternyc 2706383@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks so much, all! This is sort of what I expected: best if I can wait. I think I was hoping to be told it doesn't matter but I know it does. I'm in CA so in a state with pretty good laws for leave and I know I should do my best to take advantage of that. I do hear of people who start new jobs while pregnant and it works out but those may be the exception. I'll probably plan to wait until it would be a year. The funny thing is I don't feel ready to have a baby at all but given my age I feel like it's now or never. That's another post altogether, though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-started-a-new-job-but-want-to-start-ttc-what-to-do#post-2706340 Mon, 06 Mar 2017 12:19:35 +0000 yoursilverlining 2706340@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with everyone else who said it wait until you are sure you qualify for both STD and FMLA leave. Unless you really don't need any leave protection and/or income while out on leave, I would never leave myself and my family at the whim of hoping that a company gave me leave I wasn't legally entitled to (no matter how family-friendly they may be).</p> <p>Honestly, I would especially not sort of assume you wouldn't get fired or would still get 12 weeks of job protected leave at a healthcare company in this political climate - with the new administration no one has any idea what (likely significant) changes there may be to healthcare - starting at any time in the next 4 years. You don't know whether your employer will be impacted in significant ways in the near future. I would protect myself as much as I could. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-started-a-new-job-but-want-to-start-ttc-what-to-do#post-2706337 Mon, 06 Mar 2017 12:15:58 +0000 lilyofthewest 2706337@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The advice I want to give you is to wait until you know for sure that you would be offered the same benefits and leave as someone who had been the for a year...whether that's because you defer TTC by 3-4 cycles so you are there for at least a year, or you find that there's a specific policy covering you or that mulitple coworkers have been afforded the leave and benefits with less than a year of employment.</p> <p>That said, I'm TTC in the midst of leaving my current job with nothing new (except grad school) lined up. So, big grain of salt. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-started-a-new-job-but-want-to-start-ttc-what-to-do#post-2706330 Mon, 06 Mar 2017 12:01:26 +0000 codeitall 2706330@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just wanted to add a slightly different perspective. We started half-heartedly TTC and literally got pregnant that first week. Somehow, in my mind, I thought it would take as long as my first. It didn't. I'd been really wanting to find a new job, but that timing meant I really screwed myself over. At this point, I've interviewed at a couple places that have better maternity leave, but I think knowing I was going to be out for a while made them hesitant to hire me. so even though I'm tired of my job, I've been stuck in it for an extra year because of this baby and I do somewhat regret the timing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-started-a-new-job-but-want-to-start-ttc-what-to-do#post-2706046 Sun, 05 Mar 2017 01:57:56 +0000 Nutella 2706046@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Wanderlusternyc: I was in a similar boat and also had the same angst, but real wasn't sure how long it would take to fall pregnant...so we took a fun family holiday instead to while away some of the three month wait, then started trying after that and luckily got our bfp after two cycles trying, which qualified me for paid mat leave. The wait wasn't really that long in hindsight, and I used that time to do pre-conception stuff like acupuncture and clean eating, vitamins etc. In saying all this, if you don't want to wait, just go for it...I just wanted to be at my new job for at least one year before leaving :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-started-a-new-job-but-want-to-start-ttc-what-to-do#post-2705773 Fri, 03 Mar 2017 18:13:54 +0000 cookiemomster 2705773@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Does your company offer STD? We get six weeks paid maternity through short term disability and its affective as soon as you start as long as you're part time. FMLA is separate unpaid leave that you have to work a year to qualify for. If you get any mat leave beyond fml, I don't see a reason to wait.</p> <p>ETA it took me eight months with my first at 26 and a year with my second at 28/29 to conceive, so this is coming from a place of knowing how upset with myself o would've been for delaying the process further </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-started-a-new-job-but-want-to-start-ttc-what-to-do#post-2705758 Fri, 03 Mar 2017 16:56:53 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2705758@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You'd only have to wait two more months to be FMLA eligible ASSUMING you don't deliver early, right? Honestly I would probably end up just "NTNP" a couple months assuming things are ok financially. As far as not doing 100% your first year that's likely with morning sickness if you get pregnant anytime in the first year. I'm probably a little biased but it took us awhile at 24/25/26 to get our second baby... so even though 34 is still pretty young I would be nervous to take any chances depending how many you want total. But ultimately it's so personal, I think you and your husband probably know what risks (career/life/otherwise) you can/will take. ❤ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-started-a-new-job-but-want-to-start-ttc-what-to-do#post-2705596 Fri, 03 Mar 2017 13:47:55 +0000 Littlebit7 2705596@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't wait. You'll regret it if it takes more time than you think to conceive. And your employer is either going to be supportive or not. I don't think they'll be any more or less supportive of you if you announce 5 months from now or 8 months from now. </p> <p>I interviewed for and took a job when I was only 6 weeks pregnant. I ended up taking the job, working for 9 months, had the baby, and went per diem. They were supportive and would take me back full time in a heartbeat. I know my story isn't representative of what you might encounter, but still. I didn't qualify for FMLA.</p> <p>Where do you live? You don't happen to work in NJ do you? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-started-a-new-job-but-want-to-start-ttc-what-to-do#post-2705593 Fri, 03 Mar 2017 13:36:19 +0000 PeaceLily 2705593@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with what others have said - I'd wait probably 3-4 months before trying to conceive primarily for FMLA since you need to be at the company for at least one year before you can be eligible. </p> <p>I wouldn't be too concerned about your age, but you have to do what you feel the most comfortable with. There are plenty of women in their late 30's that conceive right away and women in their mid-20's that take over a year. You just never know unfortunately. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-started-a-new-job-but-want-to-start-ttc-what-to-do#post-2705585 Fri, 03 Mar 2017 13:24:09 +0000 mamabolt 2705585@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd wait 3-4 months as others have said so you will deliver after a year at the company and be FMLA eligible. I got pregnant about six months into a new job and didn't feel any issues "proving myself" I had been there more than a year when I delivered and was able to step back in relatively easily. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-started-a-new-job-but-want-to-start-ttc-what-to-do#post-2705549 Fri, 03 Mar 2017 12:15:30 +0000 periwinklebee 2705549@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A few months doesn't seem like a big deal in terms of TTC if it will have a major impact on leave availability or your career prospects. My career is also important to me, but I personally wouldn't wait much more than that. I would think about the best and worst case scenario from waiting and do what you're comfortable with. We started TTC when I was 33 and so far it has been a longer and harder process than I had initially hoped, with no take home baby in sight. I'm so glad not to have waited longer and sort of wished that I'd given it more weight relative to my career earlier (though no major regrets). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-started-a-new-job-but-want-to-start-ttc-what-to-do#post-2705537 Fri, 03 Mar 2017 11:58:54 +0000 catomd00 2705537@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got pregnant after 5 months at a new job and I think it was the perfect timing for us. I was covered under FMLA and I had been there long enough to be comfortable in the role and my boss was comfortable knowing what kind of worker I was...to the point that he was scared I wouldn't come back after and told me that I could basically do whatever I wanted (eg work part time, work from home, flex hours, etc.) I'm just not going to put my life plans on hold for my job. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-started-a-new-job-but-want-to-start-ttc-what-to-do#post-2705479 Fri, 03 Mar 2017 10:06:06 +0000 caterw 2705479@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would also recommend waiting a few months, but maybe 4-6. You might need to leave work earlier than your due date, so just keep that in mind when planning. I definitely don't think you need to be in the job a whole year before trying though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-started-a-new-job-but-want-to-start-ttc-what-to-do#post-2705464 Fri, 03 Mar 2017 09:36:15 +0000 pwnstar 2705464@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wait 3 months. At a minimum. You're really and truly not pressed for time, and qualifying for FMLA is a huge factor in your financial planning. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-started-a-new-job-but-want-to-start-ttc-what-to-do#post-2705458 Fri, 03 Mar 2017 09:33:14 +0000 skinnycow 2705458@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just started a new job and am in a similar situation. We want to TTC soon (but not for age reasons) and I really think I could stay at this company for the rest of my career. Our plan is to wait about a few months so I would qualify for FMLA if I were to conceive easily. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-started-a-new-job-but-want-to-start-ttc-what-to-do#post-2705456 Fri, 03 Mar 2017 09:27:49 +0000 jape14 2705456@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would also wait the three months to be sure that you qualify for FMLA and any paid leave that may be available to you as a benefit. I work in a university setting but I started my job in June, started TTC in September, and got pregnant my third cycle in December, was out on leave starting in September. Our HR policy is that paid parental leave is not available to employees who have worked for less than 12 consecutive months - I would recommend checking into your company's policy before you make a decision. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-started-a-new-job-but-want-to-start-ttc-what-to-do#post-2705449 Fri, 03 Mar 2017 09:22:25 +0000 Truth Bombs 2705449@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wait the three months to qualify for FMLA. In the grand scheme of life, three months is a VERY short time. I don't consider waiting a few months to make a smart choice that will affect your career AND your options for taking care of your baby after birth to be "putting your life on hold". </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-started-a-new-job-but-want-to-start-ttc-what-to-do#post-2705447 Fri, 03 Mar 2017 09:18:47 +0000 ElbieKay 2705447@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would wait three more months. Odds are extremely high by that point that you will be at the job for at least a year before the baby is born. This way you lock in your FMLA protection and have a full year to prove yourself. But I wouldn't wait any longer.</p> <p>I would try to figure out how family friendly your manager will be. That will dictate your experience just as much if not more than the company's policy/culture. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-started-a-new-job-but-want-to-start-ttc-what-to-do#post-2705408 Fri, 03 Mar 2017 08:03:54 +0000 MamaCate 2705408@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would encourage you to wait a few months (2-3) before TTC so that you can be sure to qualify for FMLA. I have had friends who got pregnant with a due date less than a year after their start date and they did not qualify. At our agency that meant only 6 weeks of disability leave (vaginal birth) or 8 weeks (c section) before they had to come back. So that would be my concern about FMLA, not about getting fired.</p> <p>If you get pregnant in a few months you will have the chance to work for at least a year to "prove yourself" before going out on leave.</p> <p>In my case I started a job in July, I think we decided to start trying in December, got pregnant in February, announced in May and went on leave in November. I got a promotion while pregnant so it can work out, but that does depend on your company's view of working parents i think. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-started-a-new-job-but-want-to-start-ttc-what-to-do#post-2705407 Fri, 03 Mar 2017 08:03:39 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2705407@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would start TTC right away. A job can figure itself out, your life shouldn't be put on hold for that. Agree that you never know how long it may take. If it happens right away great, you figure out the details with your job. If it doesn't happen right away, at least you start the process of figuring everything out and you get more time at your job. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-started-a-new-job-but-want-to-start-ttc-what-to-do#post-2705396 Fri, 03 Mar 2017 04:24:48 +0000 Shantuck 2705396@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was in that position twice and regret having waited both times. I had it in my head that I needed to have been at my job a year before even announcing a pregnancy so I waited about 9 months before ttc kid #1. Fortunately, I got pregnant easily that time. When kid #1 turned one, I decided to switch jobs but again felt like I had to prove myself before getting pregnant with kid #2. Unfortunately for me, this time it took two losses and 14 months to get pregnant with kid #2. I had actually always wanted three but now I'm 37 and kid #2 is only 4 months old and given my prior challenges, I'm not sure what will be in the cards for me. I know hindsight is 20/20 but I kind of wish I'd realized that jobs can come and go but my family life is more important. I should also note that my sister announced she was pregnant after getting an offer but before beginning a new job and everyone was extremely understanding (and she qualified for her company's leave policy). My advice is to put "you" first because you'll never regret it but you might regret it if you don't. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-started-a-new-job-but-want-to-start-ttc-what-to-do#post-2705384 Thu, 02 Mar 2017 23:57:38 +0000 katsupgirl 2705384@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is such a tough position. Personally I would wait at least 3 months to kind of learn the job and get into a groove. I'm a planner so I would try to plan for a scenario in which I get pregnant right away and what that would look like. What's the worst case scenario? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-started-a-new-job-but-want-to-start-ttc-what-to-do#post-2705383 Thu, 02 Mar 2017 23:56:03 +0000 youboots 2705383@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think you have to be somewhere a year to qualify for FMLA? I could be wrong. Do you know if you qualify based on company size? Same thing for us- we waited to TTC until DH was in his job for a few months- turns out he did not even qualify for FMLA because of the amount of employees in his area- he works from home. But we were easily able to work something out with his boss. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/just-started-a-new-job-but-want-to-start-ttc-what-to-do#post-2705375 Thu, 02 Mar 2017 23:38:43 +0000 Wanderlusternyc 2705375@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just started a new job about a month ago. My husband and I were about to start trying and then held off to see if I got the job-and I did! It's a job and company I could see myself staying in for awhile, but it will also take me some time to ramp up and start proving myself. Ideally, I'd be in the job a year before getting pregnant but I'm 34 and know that conceiving could be a challenge. </p> <p>So-what should I do? How long should I wait? I know I may not get FMLA if we try soon but I also am pretty sure I wouldn't get fired since it's a big healthcare company that makes a show of being family friendly. I also care about my career and don't want to jeopardize it by giving less than 100% in my first year of employment here. Ugh-any advice or thoughts? </p>