Why Someone Faked a Pregnancy to Score PTO—and What It Says About Work, Life, and Fertility

Posted on 27 July 2025 by Elena Moreno — 4 min

Let’s talk about the wild and unexpected ways people try to hack their PTO.

You might have caught the recent viral news story about an employee who faked a pregnancy—complete with a photoshopped sonogram—to grab three weeks of paid time off after burning through her vacation days. Yep, you read that right. This story, featured on Cheezburger, isn’t just a juicy example of workplace shenanigans; it also opens up a bigger conversation about how society views fertility, time off, and the lengths people go to for a breather.

Why would someone go to such lengths?

At first glance, it might seem downright shady, but peel back the layers and you start to see the pressures that many individuals face. Paid time off is a rare and precious currency in today's hustle culture. When your annual vacation days vanish faster than ice cream in July, desperation can nudge people toward morally-grey areas.

But here’s the kicker—what if the motivation behind this wasn’t just about a holiday? What if it reflected deeper struggles related to fertility journeys?

The Hidden Fertility Struggles We Don’t Talk About Enough

For anyone navigating conception challenges, the emotional and physical rollercoaster is no joke. Fertility treatments, appointments, and the sheer mental load can wear you down. Yet, workplace policies often remain painfully inflexible around these nuanced needs.

That’s where the innovation of at-home conception technologies, like those from MakeAMom, shines. These companies are rewriting the narrative by empowering individuals and couples to take more control, quietly and privately, over their fertility journey without needing to navigate the rigid clinical or workplace systems.

What makes MakeAMom a game-changer?

Their insemination kits cater to different fertility needs—from low motility sperm with the Impregnator, to those sensitive to certain conditions with the BabyMaker.
All kits are reusable and discreetly shipped, respecting your privacy and schedule.
Most impressively, MakeAMom reports a success rate of 67%, which rivals many clinical interventions.

So, instead of having to fake a pregnancy to sneak in some downtime, wouldn’t it be empowering to have a trusted, cost-effective tool that supports your journey on your terms?

How does this story connect to the broader workplace and societal conversations?

This escapade is a symptom of a much bigger issue: the gap between our biological realities and the workplace’s rigid structures. Fertility doesn’t stick to our 9-to-5 or the calendar of standard leave policies.

Companies still struggle to provide adequate support for employees undergoing fertility treatments or those simply hoping to conceive. The desperation behind faking a pregnancy points to a systemic failure to acknowledge and support these journeys empathetically.

So, what can we do?

Normalize fertility conversations at work: It's high time to destigmatize fertility challenges and push for compassionate, flexible policies.
Leverage at-home options: Tools like those from MakeAMom empower you to navigate conception more conveniently and discreetly.
Advocate for better PTO policies: The world is waking up to mental health and wellness—fertility deserves a seat at that table.

Final thoughts

The news story might make you chuckle or shake your head, but it’s also a mirror reflecting how much more work we need to do in supporting people’s journeys—both in fertility and work-life balance. Imagine a world where no one feels the need to fabricate a pregnancy to get a break, where innovative solutions and compassionate policies make room for real-life complexities.

If you or someone you know is exploring at-home conception, there’s a wealth of resources and discreet, user-friendly options available. Check out how MakeAMom is helping reshape the fertility experience with smart, sensitive, and effective kits designed just for you.

What’s your take on this wild PTO story? Ever had to bend the rules for a much-needed break? Drop your thoughts and stories below—let’s get the conversation started!