How long after starting a new job is it "too soon" to go on maternity leave?

Asked by livelaughlove21 (15724) January 5th, 2014 from iPhone

I started a new job as a legal secretary last week, for those that don’t know. This is a job I want to stay at for awhile. From what I know so far, it seems like a great company and this is more than a job, it’s the beginning of my career. So, I want to make a good impression.

My husband and I would like to start a family in about a year. If all goes well and I get pregnant at the beginning of next year, I’ll have been at this job for nearly two years by the time I’d have to go on maternity leave (assuming I don’t have a complicated pregnancy). I plan on returning to work full time after that. Is that too soon or does it sound about right?

BQ: I haven’t asked my new employer about maternity leave yet, because I’m worried they’ll think I’m already pregnant or planning on being pregnant very soon. I don’t want to raise any red flags. There was nothing about it in the employee manual. Since they’ve been a very generous company to me so far (regarding salary and insurance – they also do yearly Christmas bonuses), I’d assume it’s a pretty standard leave time. My husband says to not even ask until we’re about to start trying to get pregnant. What do you guys think?