Should I Share My Pregnancy Project with a Colleague Eyeing My Promotion?

A 28-year-old woman is pregnant, running a high-profile work project, and suddenly her “mentorship” plan comes with a side of workplace politics. Her colleague, Sarah, is also pregnant, and she’s been circling the exact promotion her boss keeps dangling after maternity leave.

The complication? Sarah is not just asking questions. She’s shadowing OP during meetings, dropping “helpful” suggestions, and hinting she’ll take over OP’s responsibilities while she’s out. OP feels protective of the project she built, but Sarah is calling her out for making her feel undervalued and excluded because she’s pregnant too.

Now OP has to decide if sharing details is kindness, or if it just hands Sarah the keys to her hard-earned success.

Original Post

So I'm (28F) currently pregnant and managing a high-profile project at work. My colleague, let's call her Sarah, is also pregnant, but she's been eyeing a promotion that involves leading a project similar to mine.

However, she's not as experienced in this area compared to me. For background, our boss recently hinted that they might consider Sarah for the promotion once she returns from maternity leave.

This has put pressure on me to involve Sarah in my project, under the guise of 'mentorship.' I know Sarah is ambitious and eager to prove herself, but I also feel protective of my project and want to ensure its success. The dilemma arises because Sarah has been dropping hints about taking over my project responsibilities while I'm on maternity leave.

She's even started unofficially shadowing me during meetings and tries to offer suggestions. I appreciate her enthusiasm, but I also worry that she might not handle the project well in my absence.

I've been hesitant to share crucial project details with her, as I fear she might use this information to outshine me or jeopardize the project. At the same time, I feel guilty for not being more open and accommodating, especially considering our similar situations.

Recently, Sarah confronted me about my reluctance to involve her more in the project. She mentioned feeling undervalued and excluded from opportunities due to her pregnancy.

This confrontation has left me feeling torn between supporting a fellow pregnant colleague and safeguarding the project that I've worked hard on. So AITA?

Should I prioritize helping Sarah advance in her career, or is it justified to prioritize the success of my project even if it means withholding information from her?

The Dilemma of Sharing Success

This story resonates because it taps into the broader conversation about workplace competition, especially among women. The OP is understandably protective of her pregnancy project, viewing it as a personal milestone. However, Sarah's ambition complicates the issue. If the OP shares her work, she risks having her ideas co-opted or overshadowed, which raises the question: is collaboration a form of mentorship or a potential threat to her own career advancement?

In a work environment where promotions are often scarce and competitive, this tension between solidarity and self-preservation feels particularly acute. The OP's hesitation reflects a common sentiment among professionals who fear that helping a colleague might inadvertently sabotage their own goals.

Comment from u/PurpleGamer22

Comment from u/cozyblanket78

Comment from u/GardeningQueen99

The boss’s vague promise about Sarah getting the promotion is what turns “mentorship” into a countdown clock for OP’s project timeline.

When Sarah starts unofficially shadowing in meetings and pitching ideas, OP isn’t imagining a conflict, she’s watching it happen in real time.

It also echoes the pregnant employee who refused to share workload and risked project delays.

The reactions in the Reddit thread highlight a fascinating divide. Some readers empathize with the OP's reluctance to share her project, viewing it as a legitimate concern over workplace competition. Others argue that nurturing a colleague could create a more supportive work environment, especially among expectant mothers. This split opinion showcases how personal experiences shape our views on professional relationships.

Moreover, the OP's situation reflects a broader societal issue: the balancing act between ambition and support. The moral grey area here is palpable. Should one prioritize their own success, or is there value in fostering collaboration, even with someone eyeing the same promotion?

Comment from u/MusicMagic77

Comment from u/CoffeeCraze64

OP’s guilt spikes after Sarah confronts her, especially when Sarah frames it as being shut out just for being pregnant.

The real mess lands when OP has to choose between protecting the project she’s carrying and making sure Sarah doesn’t feel like she’s being blocked from her own promotion.

What are your thoughts on this situation? Share your perspective in the comments below.

This story serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities of workplace dynamics, especially for women navigating professional and personal milestones simultaneously. It raises essential questions about ambition, support, and competition. In what ways can we balance our drive for success with the need to uplift others, particularly in high-stakes environments? How would you handle a similar situation?

The Bigger Picture

The original poster (OP) is in a tough spot, feeling the weight of her project alongside the pressures of pregnancy. Her instinct to protect her work from Sarah's ambition highlights the competitive nature of many workplaces, especially when promotions are on the line. Sarah's eagerness to shadow the OP and her feelings of exclusion further complicate the situation, creating a tension between solidarity and self-preservation. Ultimately, this dilemma reflects a broader struggle women often face in balancing personal ambition with the desire to support one another in challenging environments.

OP can’t control how Sarah interprets “mentorship,” but she can control what she hands over before her maternity leave turns into Sarah’s takeover.

Still dealing with office tension, read how she refused to share her pregnancy work plan with Sarah.