[Unknown Member]

This is just one perspective, mine.
 
Radiology groups, in general, tend to not be very ‘progressive’ when it comes to women and pregnancy. Surprise, surprise. As you alluded to, the stakes are even higher for you since you will be making a first impression. The least understanding of groups or partners might consider any sort of accommodation towards pregnancy or family issues to be ‘weak.’ I don’t like that at all , but it is what it is. 
 
I would let the group know as soon as you feel like the pregnancy is likely to progress to term, but no later than 30-45 days before your job start date. Some groups make the schedule on a monthly basis, such that a December rotation schedule will be prepared during November.  
 
Inform the group that you are pregnant with due date falling a few days after your start date, that obviously you didn’t purposely plan it that way, and you’re sorry if this throws a wrench into their rotation scheduling. Say that you plan on showing up and beginning work as planned (like a trooper), and ask them if they can discuss this situation and let you know how the group wants to handle it. Put the ball in their court and see what they say. No one can accuse you of making unreasonable demands or being a prima donna before you’ve started since you have indicated that you’ll show up on the start date as planned and that you are looking to the group for guidance on how to deal with this situation. 
 
I think it’ll be fine.
 

[JENNIFERG09_691]

A month before my start date in my current practice, I had to request a full month delay, as I had to take care of family member who became ill. The group leader was nice about it, and I started at the date I wanted. I gave them notice one and half months ahead. Now I am a partner here.

Some folks may be less tolerant about taking time off for personal/family reason, but there are plenty of others who would be more understanding of it especially with younger generations of rads joining the fray. In fact if they make a huge ordeal about it and gives you a hard time, that is something to think about. That said, a bigger group with more abundant staffing situation will likely be more accommodating than lean groups, as you would expect. 

I too would give the group notice as soon as you are able to, and frankly discuss the situation. It might actually end up not being as a big of a deal like you think. Plenty of groups are in saving mode due to recent COVID blow, and there may be few rads/groups who are happy to work a little more and pay the money to one fewer rad for another month or so.

Just like amazing post above, just one perspective.

[Unknown Member]

I like Flounce’s post above. Communicating with the practice is key, at the soonest as you possibly can. Ultimately, schedules will have to be adjusted, but in these COVID days when folks are not traveling as heavily as before hopefully that’s less of a burden.
 
Other than that, you go about your business with professionalism and integrity. And you acknowledge that others are going to make sacrifices on behalf of you and your family’s situation at this time and hopefully that makes you remember to be 100% a team player when things settle down.
 
Like another poster noted, if it’s not surprise pregnancy, it’s “dad broke his hip and I have to tend to him”, or appy, or cancer, or any number of things that happen to humans. Good groups will figure how to roll with it.  

[btomba_77]

1) At what point should I declare my pregnancy to my future group?

 
Today.
 

2) Since I already signed my contract with a specific start date several months ago, is it rude/unprofessional to ask for a later start date?

 
No. It is not.  The best and simplest solution is probably to delay your start until after maternity leave done.
 
But it’s easier for the group to work around if you tell them right away. (See answer to #1 above)
 

3) If I can’t change my start date, how do I go about asking for maternity leave a few days after my start date

 
If the group isn’t willing to delay your start date, then they’re probably going to be equally hostile to your maternity leave.   
 
Now you’re in a tough situation because it’s clear that the group sees you as a set of initials of in a rotation more than as a potential 30 year partner
 
 
 
____
 
But don’t be too nervous.  They are probably going to be more reasonable than you are expecting …. good luck! 🙂
 
 
 
 

[Unknown Member]

Good advice.

Sadly many private radiology groups are not progressive in the least as Flounce says.

Employed job is more likely to be understanding and work with you.

I would wait until around 13 weeks to tell them.

You want to put the ball in their court and see how they react, let them feel as if they are calling the shots. But this is also your life and your baby (congrats!!), so you should think about what your priorities are and how/if you can get them. What are you willing to give up or compromise on going forward?

Best of luck and let us know how it goes.

[ruszja]

Once you are confident that the pregnancy is going to continue, contact the group and ask to push back the start date. If they are not willing to do that, its not a group you would want to work for anyway.

[Unknown Member]

Congrats!!!! Could maybe ask for a home workstation and do some work from home to shorten maternity leave if you are worried? Its never easy, I know Physician moms who took 1 week off (including my own) but it will be worth it!

[DStack1]

Lots of strong wisdom in all of the above.
 
First, congratulations!
 
Look, life happens.  There’s no need to feel guilty or apologize for your pregnancy, as any normal group understands, and has prior experience with major life events which impact the radiology practice.  I recommend you inform, without any delay, the group president, and I would do so in person (if you are local) or by a telephone call…NOT by email or text.  If you want to delay the start date, ask for that, and tell them you will arrive on your new first day fully committed and ready to work.  Then follow through on that commitment…do your best to be an excellent associate that they can count on to help the practice. 
 
I would NOT ask for any other special dispensation such as teleradiology work, limited work schedule, and above all – less call.
 
IMHO, possible miscarriage, etc. should not be a factor in your communications with the group leadership.
 

[Unknown Member]

Very good advice above.

The only part that I disagree with people is about radiology private groups. I know several private practices including the two that I personally managed. Most radiologists are fine with your maternity leave if you communicate with them well and if they feel you will do the same in case something happens to them. As mentioned above and especially giving the older age of many private practice radiologists, things will happen. If it is not maternity leave, it will be cataract surgery or colonoscopy or even a bad flu.

So don’t worry. Be upfront about it and convey the message that you will be a good team player and will return the favor in the future. I think most groups will be totally fine with it.

[Unknown Member]

Agree with advice. Don’t worry about the reactions. This is a typical occurrence in the modern workplace and despite what some people will say, 99% of people are supportive of your situation.

[Donna.M.Peters_434]

100% – the last 2 posts.
Let them know so they can plan. 
In our private practice of >100 rads, we value the heads-up and the honesty. Life happens. We cheer it.
Congrats!!! Hope things go superbly well and everyone is way healthy.

[Unknown Member]

” Life happens.”
That says it all. Too many groups don’t take that into account as they plan into the future. A certain amount of redundancy is needed in designing a schedule.
Pregnancy is part of the deal. Again, be up front about it in a reasonable fashion. No need to over inform either, you have your privacy. I think once it looks like the pregnancy is going to term, after 12 weeks, is a reasonable time.

[btomba_77]

Quote from boomer

 A certain amount of redundancy is needed in designing a schedule.

 
So many groups simply fail to understand this.
 
They are so focused on maximizing compensation that they want staffing stripped to a bare minimum.  So when one little disruptive thing happens it all goes to crap.
 
 
 
(It’s a lot like the US airline industry in the pre Covid days.  They wanted every plane to be as full as possible and have all of the planes actively flying as much as possible.  Then one winter storm hits and BAM… a thousand people are sleeping on the floors at O’Hare for three days)

[gabriella.ruffato.ext_635]

Now I know I am old – although I don’t feel old.
I recall in medical school that occasionally one was asked during residency interviews if they were married and if the response was negative that was a plus.
Things are better now and accommodations can be made for pregnancy, illness etc.

[Ali.zavareh]

Agree with much above. Specifically, open communication ASAP is paramount. Believe it or not many PP groups (such as mine) are full of empathetic, reasonable people (who have children, dual-physician couples, etc). Not all PP groups are blood thirsty angry men.

The only thing that would cause problems is waiting too long to tell your new group.

Congrats and good luck!