Hi Kellie,

I think its wise to take one step at a time, and if you want to defer than thats okay too. There is alot of stress & physical tiredness when you are pregnant & when you have a physical job it doesn't make life easier.

I am a vet nurse and both pregnancies have had to cut down jobs early on in pregnancy and am unable to work later into the pregnancies. As it is I can't spend 8 hours on my feet anymore. I am 30 weeks now and just can't do it. So I don't think it is unreasonable to understand that a time will come where you won't be able to continue in your work. My job has been able to offer part time work which is administrative so I can keep some hours going and not be on my feet or lifting or scrubbing. Legally with the awards, they can't discriminate against you being pregnant and if you are not able to do something physically they are supposed to come up with alternatives for you. Having said that, there isn't much I can do once I finish the work I have. So its compromising with the situation as well.

If you know the decisions you want to make for your child, you & DH need to come to a compromise as well for when its time to go back to work. DH & I did research and looked heaps of stuff up and made a decision as to when & for how long Matilda would be in care. We decided 1 day a week until she was 3, but that turned into 2 days when she was ready for it & we were happy with the care she was in. But that has to be an individual decision based on your family.

Goodluck!