Pregnancy interfering with my career due to no US maternity leave!

Emily

I am 11 months pregnant right now and SUPER excited. However, for the heck of it, I was looking at jobs in my field in my area the other day, and I stumbled upon an amazing opportunity. I make about $17/hour right now. This jobs starts at min of $26/hour. I'm qualified. My degree applies. My previous and current job experiences apply. It's about the same drive I have to work now, just in the opposite direction. It's M-F like my husband works whereas right now I'm full-time Fri-Sun. Childcare isn't an issue bc my mom does childcare at home and can take on baby when he or she comes along. I do love my current job which is also in my field, BUT with a baby on the way, and higher mortgage payment (BC we just refinanced house to a 15-year to save a boatload of interest), plus we are trading in for new cars - I got mine (safer and better for baby!) but hubby is still working on trading in his truck to downsize to a car. That bigger paycheck would definitely be appreciated.

However. I've been at my job 4 years. I've accrued 9, almost 10 weeks sick time thus far. If I keep building that, and combine it with my PTO balance and short-term disability, I can easily take a full 12 weeks off with full pay. If I start over somewhere new right now, I probably won't qualify for FMLA which is unpaid leave by the time I give birth. I also probably won't have much for benefits at that point like pto. Plus insurance deductible would start over on new plan, and there's usually a period before you can use the insurance so what if some of my prenatal appointments aren't covered!? And then, to top it off, what if I just get a couple weeks at 60% pay for my maternity leave. If something goes wrong, for me or baby, that might not be enough!

I can't not apply for a $9/hr pay increase. But what if I end up having to turn it down because it won't work with my pregnancy?

Has anyone else dealt with potentially changing careers while pregnant?

Glow Resources

Let’s Glow

Glow is here for you on your path to pregnancy

Glow helps you navigate your fertility journey with smart tools, personalized insights, and guidance from medical experts who understand what matters most.

25+ million

Users

4.8 stars

200k+ app ratings

20+

Medical advisors