Getting pregnant

Let's face it, it is an issue. I want your opinions.

Re: Getting pregnant

After tenure for me. I do not have a full time job this year. I did two leave replacements in the same district.

For me it is an easy decision. Right now I want to concentrate on my career and furthering my education. It wouldn't be fair to bring a child into my current world. I work two jobs and so does DH. We would have a child that we never spent time with if we had a baby right now.

For me it just makes sense to wait.

Re: Getting pregnant

Right now, I'm going with "when it happens, it happens...even if it's your first year". I'm moving to NC and starting a new position in August...which really means we should wait with TTC until at least the end of this year. But DH and I have felt ready for a LONG time, and we just said, screw it!!! Of course, getting another teaching position is MUCH easier in NC, so I don't know if I'd have the same perspective if I were staying here in NY. But tenure is SUCH a long time to wait!

Re: Getting pregnant

I got PG during my tenure year-although my principal assured me that I was safe I was still very scared that I may be out of a job. So I think its better to wait. Also, just for time's sake, its better to wait to have more time saved up for maternity leave.

Re: Getting pregnant

That is a tough one. I voted year 2. I feel like getting pg during your first year would not make the best impression. You wouldn't get a chance to build a good reputation. However, I can't see waiting a full 3 years for tenure if you feel ready for a baby now. So, after your second year is reasonable IMO.

You could also not get tenure or get let go out of nowhere, unfortunately, and then all that time waiting would have been wasted!

Re: Getting pregnant

Tenure. We are too young right now anyway. I want to be secure in my job.

Re: Getting pregnant

I am getting tenured this year and plan to have a spring baby next year (if all goes as planned). I just felt more comfortable doing it this way, as I wanted the job security.

Re: Getting pregnant

I think it really depends on indiviidual circumstances. There is no cut and dry answer to this, IMO.

I am pregnant now, in my 2nd year at my current job (next year is my tenure year). It came to a point where I decided that I didn't want to put my life on hold anymore. I worked HARD for this position I have and I have no interest in losing it, but I had to do what is best for me and my husband and hopefully all will work out w/ my job (which it should, I have no indications that it won't!).

Re: Getting pregnant

I think you do what's best for you. Personally I happened to be tenured before I had DD but a friend of mine had TWO babies before she was tenured. She took her 6 weeks that she was entitled to w/ both kids and came back. Her tenure was held up slightly to make up for the 12 weeks total that she was out.

Re: Getting pregnant

We are going to try to plan for me to have the baby during the summer, that way I don't have to take leave...however I do feel "safe" at my job...there are several women PG there now and my prinicipal always ask when I'm going to add to her grandchildren

Re: Getting pregnant

The "plan" was to get PG in October so I could deliver close enough to the end of the school year so I could start my leave in September (after the summer). Id have a nice long amount of time with a baby. My plan didnt work. We are having a hard time getting pregnant and frankly I wouldnt care when I had a child now just as long as I could have one at all.

Re: Getting pregnant

I waited until I had tenure....but it worked out well because I really wasn't ready to start trying before I got tenure anyway.

Re: Getting pregnant

When it happens it happens

Re: Getting pregnant

We just "started" trying, not activily but I hear it sometimes takes months and DH and I are finally ready now that we have a house and some savings. I would like to have tenure (due next year) but we are ready and will be activily trying starting late July & Aug.
Good Luck!

Re: Getting pregnant

I plan on TTC starting this summer and next year is my tenure year. I figure even if I get pregnant right away I should still have all my observations done before I need to go on leave and by then they would have made their decision anyway.

Im sure I will still be nervous if it works out that I will need to take the time off, but since finding out I will have trouble... I cant see waiting another whole year.

Re: Getting pregnant

when it happens it happens....or else you will always be waiting for the right moment.