My wife and I tried (and succeeded) to get my leave period to overlap with the winter holiday (during which my office is closed). I've had conversations with friends on academic schedules attempting similar things.

Obviously, plans often don't survive first contact with reproductive biology, but sometimes they do, like in my case.

> 'I have seen' - excuse me, but what? Are you going to tell us that you work at a company where people's reproductive plans are common water cooler discussion?

No, but sort of, yes. I have witnessed many cases in which some employees practically disappeared, to the point of having to hire others to substitute them, for years.

Timing a pregnancy is not as uncommon as you'd think.

Who told you

a) my company is an engineering company

b) I have no evidence

c) my post is directed against women

?

> Timing a pregnancy is not as uncommon as you'd think.

I'll take a chance and guess your gender. Timing a pregnancy is not as easy as you think.

We had no trouble choosing the month of our three boy's birthdays. Your mileage may vary of course.

Oh my god. Are. You. Assuming. My. Gender.

Being a former teacher, absolutely yes. Reproductive plans, and how to fit them into school year, are topics of conversation and informal “coaching.”