Get pregnant without a FT job with benefits?

Hi everyone,

I could use some advice. I am an art director (graphic designer) in advertising, working freelance with my current employer for the past 2 months. I really like it here. I had a meeting with the big boss about 2 weeks ago asking if they would be interested in taking me on staff. He said absolutely, he's just not sure it can happen right this second. He praised my work, he promised me the salary I wanted, it's just the timing is questionable. He said he wants me to stay on as freelance indefinitely until he can get me on staff.

I have a DS who just turned 2. My DH and I are talking seriously about trying for #2. I had in my head I wanted to try in May for a February baby. With DS, we got pregnant the second month/time trying, but who knows what will happen this time. Also, I developed some complications with DS around week 31 which landed me in the hospital for a week and then took me out of work for the remainder of the pregnancy on short term disability. It was a heart issue. After I gave birth, I had a procedure which cured me, but I have a feeling it may return if I get pregnant again.

I hold the health insurance for the family. My last position I was let go of for financial reasons, so we are all on Cobra right now which is fine. Health insurance alone is not my only concern, it's having short term disability and maternity leave too.

My dilemma is do I want to get pregnant without a guarantee of a job with full benefits? My fear is I get pregnant and then my current place or another won't hire me b/c they know I'll be going out for a few months for maternity leave. In their eyes I'd be wasting their time and money. I know it's illegal to discriminate but if I go on an interview at 6 months preggo, you think they are really going to give me the job?

Do I put my family on hold until I have something locked down in writing with this current place? I'm so torn. Usually I'm never one to put work before family, but in this case... Any advice would be welcome. Thanks for listening.

Re: Get pregnant without a FT job with benefits?

I have mixed feelings about this kind of decision.

Maybe continuing to work freelance would be good for you if you have 2 young children at home. If continuing your family is what you really want, don't let something that may or may not happen with the job stop you.

However, if having another child could be a financial hardship, why take that on either?

Also what is your DH role in all of this? Is he able to get benefits?

Get pregnant without a FT job with benefits?

You can look into Aflac for leave coverage but you have to have the place in place for X # of months before you can collect

as for benefits you can always look into the freelancers union and see if that coverage is cheaper/better than the cobra.

Get pregnant without a FT job with benefits?

Thanks so much for the replies.

My DH is up for whatever I want which is great, but in a way then all the pressure falls on me. I've thought about Aflac but I figured it would be what you said, I'd need to be contributing for so long, which wouldn't work out for me.

Maybe I will look into the freelancers union and see what that's all about. I've been seeing sign on the subway for years. I will check it out.

I think for now, I'm not going to wait and see what happens with the job first. I think I'm a little too nervous to bring another child into the world without some form of security.

Thanks again for the suggestions!