Needless to say, starting a small business is a big deal on its own. But doing it while pregnant? That’s a whole different level of juggling! Seriously, it really is! Not only are you going to stress over future childcare and maternity leave, but there’s so much more you’re going to have to think about.
Seriously, between setting up your new venture and preparing for a baby, it can feel like there’s not enough time in the day—or energy in the tank—to get everything done. But is it even manageable? Well, thankfully, yes, it does take a lot of planning, but it’s 100% possible to get your business off the ground while managing the ups and downs of pregnancy. Now, with all of that said, here’s what to keep in mind if you’re diving into entrepreneurship during this exciting time.
Managing Your Energy
Pregnancy can be exhausting—it’s no secret. Now, there are going to be some days you might feel like you can conquer the world, and other days, even getting off the sofa seems like a challenge. Running a business is no different; it takes focus, energy, and a whole lot of time. So, when you’re balancing both, it’s all about knowing how to manage your energy wisely.
Ideally, you’ll want to pace yourself. There’s a natural temptation to go full throttle, especially in the early stages of your business. But remember, you’re growing a business and a baby, so it’s important to respect your body’s limits.
It’s going to really help if you just go ahead and use those high-energy days to tackle bigger tasks like strategy planning or client meetings. On the lower-energy days, focus on lighter work—sending emails, doing admin, or even just catching your breath. While sure, rest isn’t just a luxury; it’s an essential part of keeping both you and your business in top shape.
You’ll Need to Plan for Maternity Leave
One of the trickiest things to figure out when you’re both a new business owner and soon-to-be mum is maternity leave. But here’s the deal: just because you’re the boss doesn’t mean you shouldn’t plan for some downtime when your baby arrives. You’re not going to be able to bounce back to work the next day, not even the next week.
So, you’ll need to start thinking about what kind of support you’ll need to keep the business ticking over. Maybe that means hiring temporary help or automating parts of your business so they run smoothly without you needing to be hands-on every day. There are plenty of tools out there that can automate invoicing, email replies, and even social media posts, giving you more breathing room when your baby comes.
Also, it’s worth setting expectations with your clients or customers early on. A quick, professional message explaining your availability and setting boundaries will go a long way in maintaining trust and understanding during your transition into motherhood. While the corporate world isn’t very understandable when it comes to maternity leave, outside of that sphere, people are super understanding.
Outsource to Lighten the Load
You have to be realistic with yourself here; doing everything on your own is tough, even more so when you’re pregnant. So yes, you’re going to have to outsource whether you like it or not. But honestly, most business owners, with or without circumstance, will do this anyway.
For example, you can just hire a web design agency to do your webdesign because even the DIY route (like SquareSpace) can be pretty headache-inducing (and we all know that stress isn’t good for the baby or for you). Plus, there’s social media management, content creation, video editing, and so much more. But yes, if you have the funds, you should definitely look into this.
Flexibility Is Your Best Friend
If there’s one thing pregnancy teaches you, it’s to expect the unexpected. Some days you’re cruising along, and then—boom!—your energy plummets, or you’re hit with an unplanned doctor’s appointment. It doesn’t even matter what trimester you’re in either, that’s the thing! So,wth that all said, you need to keep in mind that flexibility is key when you’re balancing pregnancy with a new business. You’ll need to create buffer times in your calendar so that when something unexpected comes up, you can shift things around without stress.
Keep Your Expectations in Check
So there’s one thing we have to get straight: you’re already doing something amazing by building a business while preparing for a baby. So don’t put too much pressure on yourself to have everything perfect from day one. The reality is, both your business and your baby are going to take time to grow, and that’s okay.
