Joycellyn Akuffo of www.MothersWhoWork.co.uk gives her take on telling your employer that you\’re pregnant.

In short – no. At least not until the end of the 15th week before your baby is due.

BUT, it is important that you do – the laws protecting expectant mothers don’t actually kick in until your employer knows you are pregnant.Even if you tell your boss verbally, you still need to do this in writing as your employer is not obliged to take any action other than normal risk assessments that they would perform for other employees. Some employers will ask for a certificate (form MATB1) certificate from your doctor or midwife confirming that you are pregnant.Besides kick-starting preparations for your maternity leave, it’s also important to tell your employer you are pregnant for the following reasons:

• So a risk assessment can be done: It’s also important you tell your employer to help protect you and your baby’s health and safety during your pregnancy, and so that preparations can be made for your maternity leave.
• To get time off to go for check: You are entitled to paid time off to go to antenatal appointments and classes recommended by your doctor or midwife. Your employer can ask for proof of this from your second appointment onwards.
• To protect you from unfair treatment: You are protected by law for any unfair treatment, e.g. unfair dismissal, which is connected to your pregnancy. If, for example, you take time off for a pregnancy related illness, your employer must pay you in the same way they would if it was any other illness.

The time has come for you to return to work. It may not be easy decision for you to make, you may be feeling a mixture of emotions regarding leaving your baby or child.  

There are a few things you can to do to prepare yourself for returning to work and make it easier for everyone involved. 

Childcare arrangements 

·         Whatever childcare arrangements you have decided on for your child, whether it is grand-parents, a nursery, a child-minder or your partner, you need to make it the arrangements as simple as possible.

·         You don’t want added stress of having miles to travel to get to your child carer or the worry that they will not work overtime if needed.

·         If you chose a nursery or child-minder, let your child get to know them and their new environment. Leave them for an hour a day to get them used to it before you drop them off for long periods.

·         Childcare needs to be right for you and your baby or child.   

Feeding 

·         If you are still breastfeeding then you will have to express your milk and get your baby used to taking their feed from a bottle or cup.

·         Will you have time to express your milk?

·         Could you give your baby formula in the day and leave the breastfeeding for your special times together when you get home?·         Make sure any special food requirements are met by your child carer. Many grand-parents love spoiling their children, so if they will be looking after your baby or child then firm boundaries for what you expect need to be set from the beginning. 

·         Spend time with them doing fun things and you will all benefit.

·         Some parents enjoy the time they have with their children more when they are not with them constantly and therefore feel they become better parents when they return to work. 

Remember even if your child loves their child carer there is no substitute for a parent!

You may be excited and wanting to share your pregnancy news with your colleagues, however, keeping quiet about it until you are past the first twelve weeks and the risk of miscarriage had reduced is a good idea. It may not be easy if you are suffering from nausea and needing to make frequent visits to the ladies room, it could have your colleagues guessing, therefore be careful not to wait too long Your employer should hear the news from you and not from others.

• Once you have informed your employer of your pregnancy you will then be protected by the law, therefore you should not be penalised for being pregnant.

• By law you don’t have to tell your employer that you are pregnant until you reach fifteen weeks.

• You will be then be entitled to paid time off for all your ante-natal care.

How easy is it to carry on working throughout your pregnancy?Many women choose to work right up until the moment they give birth and make it seem so easy. For others who suffer from nausea in the early months may find this too difficult to even contemplate. You need to decide what’s best for you, both emotionally and financially. Pregnancy complications could also dictate when you need to finish working.

• Don’t think that you will be able to work in exactly the same way you did before you became pregnant especially if your job is strenuous or high pressured.

• Don’t be too hard on yourself if you are finding it hard to cope with growing a baby and holding down your job - ask if you could be transferred to an easier work position.

• If you want to carry on doing the same job but finding it difficult - ask if you could reduce your hours or if possible work some hours from home.

• Enquire about flexible working hours - you could work longer hours on the days when you’re feeling good and shorter on the days where you feel you need to rest your swollen ankles!

Find out what your companies maternity leave’s policies are and try to work out what will suit you and your baby. Some mum’s enjoyed putting their feet up for their third trimester others wanted to save that time for when their baby arrived.