I just started a new job as a clinical nurse running a research clinic at my hospital covering the current person's maternity leave. I got my contract today and it states that I am employed until 30th October 2007, but if all goes well with this pregnancy I will need to take mat leave in the middle of June.

My 12 week mark is the 22nd December, and I guess my question is when should I tell them? I know that legally I only have to tell them 8 weeks before I want to take leave, but I think that I should obviously tell them before then. The clinic closes over Christmas, so I guess I was after some advice if anyone has been in my position before and what they did?

My boss in the other job knows, and basically she said to me that there can obviously be no prejudice towards me, and that they knew they were hiring a woman who was in her "childrearing stage" (said tongue in cheek!).

Any advice??