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I'm not sure where you're located (or if you're working for a company that qualifies for FMLA), but if it's in the US, I'd just wait the initial three months to make sure you qualify for leave and then start TTC again. I think any waiting after that would just be arbitrary - if you let work dictate when to TTC, there will always be reasons to put it off. I think more people kick themselves for putting off trying to conceive than going for it immediately.

I'd wait until you're eligible for all benefits before trying, just in case you get preg the first month. I got pregnant after 6 months at a new job, and would be missing my busiest time of the year for maternity leave. No one had an issue with it and all were happy for me. I guess it depends on the workplace and your supervisors, but there's no way to know until you go through it I guess. I would never postpone my life plans for work though, except to become eligible for benefits!

We waited until DH was at his new job for 3 months before TTC so he would be eligible for leave- if ended up not mattering to us- so I'd look up if you qualify for FMLA based on the size of company etc.

@Umbreon: Just to play devils advocate - is there a reason you really want to start TTC right now? like age issues, # of kids you want to have mean you would have to start now etc.? The reason I ask is because in some ways I think that this depends on how seriously you want to be taken at your new job. I am not suggesting that taking leave means that you are not serious, but unfortunately it pays to be realistic as to how it would be perceived and you may get "mommy-tracked" before you have had time to build up your reputation - especially considering you will have such a long maternity leave (jealous of that btw!). That said, if it is really in your heart, you know the answer - it just may have some professional consequences depending on your work environment.

@Umbreon: That's a tough one! I would say probably at least a year before TTC so that you would be there potentially 2 years before taking leave. If I were your age, I would probably wait 2-3 years before TTC - but that is just me and the age thing didn't worry me a lot (at that age) and I know that many people have different priorities.

that said, if you are worried about having complications/issues - perhaps you could speak with a doctor now even before TTC? If you have already tried for a year, they may be able to do some tests and give you and idea. it's tough as it is such a personal choice. Best of luck with whatever you decide to do!

@Truth Bombs: I didn't mean it exactly that way...just more as "what's your priority...your career or having a family"?

And not so much that you can only choose one or the other and if you choose one you don't care about the other...but... what's more important to you NOW...not wanting to wait for the baby, or how people will view you?

I was mostly reading off what I thought was coming across in the last bit of OP's post:

"I just don't want to wait anymore on the baby thing. But I also don't want it to look bad if in 3-6 months after I start work, I announce I'm pregnant..."

If a person really wants a family and is really ready for it, I feel like they should feel empowered to go ahead and go for it instead of worrying about what coworkers may or may not think about how dedicated they are to their job. I know mothers who are VERY dedicated and also raise children.

I guess I'm just trying to say that if we try to wait for the perfect timing for everything to happen, we'll be waiting forever because rarely does it happen that things fall perfectly into place the way they're "supposed" to (whatever that means)

**take my advice with a small grain of salt bc we had issues conceiving.. so my view might be skewed.**

My opinion is that if you are ready and you want a baby, I wouldn't wait. Is there a chance you might get pregnant right away, sure, however there is also a pretty high chance that you won't. Then you're worry will be for naught. And postponing trying will have been for naught.

I'm someone who put off ttc for work reasons, and actually did so twice (the first time we waited an extra year, and the second time only 1 month). But, both times were based on concrete timelines and specific work milestones (I'm in grad school, so the first time we put off ttc for lo1 for a year so that I would finish all the requirements except dissertation + have at least 6 months to conduct research prebaby, and the second time I found out I'd be teaching a fall semester course, so I didn't want to be due during that semester). I don't think I would have waited except for a specific, task-related reason. Especially if we might need medical interventions.

I also waited an extra 10 months before we started TTC, I too had just gotten a new job. We've been trying now for 8 months, and I really wish we had started trying when we had originally planned on our 1 year anniversary. If you're ready, I wouldn't wait any longer, it sounds like you've already been trying for a year.

I say wait 3 months before trying. The stress of starting a new job and proving yourself to secure your position long term hurt fertility.

Congrats on the new job!