[bec_1108]

I'm in a bit of a tricky situation. I'm nearly 7 weeks PG. Had it confirmed by HCG levels at 4 weeks and it looked in track, but I haven't yet had a scan or any subsequent blood tests. My first OB appointment is in just under 3 weeks.

For quite some time, I have been discussing with my work about an overseas placement for 3 months. DH and I were TTC but we figured if that didn't work, we could have an overseas adventure instead. Now I'm PG, I won't be doing the overseas stint.

It wasn't supposed to be going ahead until later in the year, so I was surprised when my boss told me that arrangements are starting to happen for mid to late March!

I'm in an awkward situation because I want to tell them to put the arrangements on hold (for a couple of years) but I'm not even 7 weeks yet! If (god forbid) anything bad was to happen, then I would probably still want to go. But it just feels so early to tell them, particularly since I haven't had a scan so have no reassurance that things are progressing.

Any thoughts on what I should do? Has anyone else been in a similar situation or had to tell their work earlier than they wanted?

[Mrs Mc]

Did they say they will be making arrangements in March, or planning and paying in March ( i am assuming you are not going in March).

If they dont start planing until March, that is still another 4 -5 weeks away and by then you will be a in a better position and hopefully you would have had a scan. i had mine at 9 weeks.

[Sassy Dingo]

What country are you going to?

You'll be back before delivery right? Depending on the country (and their level of antenatal care) I'd be tempted to just go and enjoy it and be back before bub arrives.

There is a lady in my DIG who is based overseas who has just arrived back in Australia for delivery.

[opethmum]

I would wait until you tell everyone else. You do not have to disclose your pregnancy until your bubs is born. Just take it easy and don't tell them just yet. They can wait and until you have had your scan you will be in a better position to advise your employer.
Congrats!

[NotBitzerMaloney]

If the work placement is in March, I'd be going for it!
And even if you didn't want to go, I think it's too early to tell work.
I made some work decisions on the basis of a pregnancy that didn't proceed... And I regret those choices to this day.

[bec_1108]

I would be leaving in March. The planning is happening now!

I'd probably consider still going if it wasn't my first. But there would be a lot of extra work and stress which I don't want to have to deal with.

[Mozzie1]

I don't belong here, but I came in from we are discussing.

I told my boss at 7 weeks, because they were about to give me a massive promotion. I knew I would need more flexibility being pregnant than the job could provide. Also, they had always done the right thing by me, so it felt right to return the courtesy.

They gave me the promotion and the flexibility I needed, so it all worked out fine.

[tick]

I don't belong here either but I'd probably see a GP, request a viability scan and then tell work, or at least someone at work who is involved in the planning of this trip.

FWIW I told my boss when I was 5 weeks pregnant - I was working in a histology lab at the time and wanted out ASAP. I was always extremely careful in the lab but couldn't say the same for everyone around me. Boss reassigned me to some less toxic work and helped me to make excuses as to why someone else had to take over the histology. I told the rest of the place at 12 weeks after my first ultrasound.

[Leggy]

Because of the nature of some chemicals I use on the job, I'd be telling my boss as soon as I knew I was pregnant, or even when trying to conceive if I was using any of the particularly nasty chems. It's even a work policy here that you should tell your supervisor as early as possible so that your work can be rearranged if necessary to completely avoid known tetrogens.

So, could you perhaps just tell you immediate supervisor and ask his/her advice? Ask for clarification of when exactly they want you to go OS, and whether that can be delayed or something? They shouldn't discuss it with your co-workers as a matter of course but it wouldn't hurt to end with, "Please don't tell anyone else yet."

As to the possibility of the pregnancy not going forward, I reckon it's good for a few people around you to know, including your boss if you're on good enough terms, so that you can have some support if things go wrong. It all depends on whether you feel comfortable telling them on those grounds, though.

[laridae]

So you'll be about 13 weeks by the time you leave and 25 weeks by the time you come back?

I'd still go. I told my boss at about 12 weeks - but I didn't bother telling anyone else. My co-workers were told at about 30 weeks - because my boss couldn't hold it in any longer - I was waiting for someone to notice! No one did...

25 weeks is still early, you'll probably still feel pretty good by then. I didn't have my first visit with the hospital until about 22 weeks.