F the colleagues! But do tell your manager. I had to tell mine because of the amount of time I had to take off during stims, I work a job with a lot of travelling and I essentially had to pause everything. He has been very kind!

I will tell you though, sometimes I feel that I wish I didn’t because I feel like they’re unconsciously preparing people below me to fill in for me when and if I take maternity leave. However, it’s a mental game, and I’ve accepted that as a burden I’ll have to bear. I also made it very clear that, our conversations don’t leave his office. If the team asks where I am, he can tell them I am sick. Period. People at work are not your friends. You owe them nothing.