I've been a business owner for a little over 6 years now, and although I know what it's like to run a business with 2 dogs and a mini pig, I admittedly don't know what it's like to have a baby added to the mix.
For me, this has meant trying to prepare as much as I can by adjusting my schedule to accomodate all of the doctor's appointments, and care I will be providing to our new family member in the next few months.
The business has always been my "baby", so knowing that I'll have to step back, we'll plan to take on more coaching clients during my leave, and how my priorities will shift once I become a mother is a lot to process.
As I write this, I'm currently 29 weeks pregnant, which means I've gotten through the first trimester nausea and the second trimester fatigue.
Now I've been faced with new third trimester symptoms - fainting spells, always feeling slightly uncomfortable, and hoping I can sleep through the night without being woken up by a kick or the need to pee!
8 Tips I've Learned Running a Business While Pregnant
As a small business owner and first time mom who is knew to all this baby stuff, I wanted to share a few things I've learned running a business while pregnant in the hopes that it will help new, or soon to be moms prepare.
Here are my 8 tips to help make your life a little easier:
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Pregnancy brain is a real thing - I didn't expect to feel it so early on in my pregnancy, but I did. I've always been really good about remembering lots of things at once, yet while pregnant, my brain has felt more foggy and not as sharp. I even wished my husband a "Happy New Year" on our anniversary this month! So I've had to make some adjustments and rely on delegating, more reminders and notes in my planner to help me stay on track.
Some days are harder than others - This can be mentally, physically or both. I have some days where I almost forget I'm pregnant and can knock out a build like usual, feeling creative and excited to try new things. Other days I'm exhausted and need to make time for an afternoon nap to recharge. Luckily, the freedom in our schedule allows my hours to be very flexible, and I can plan around any scheduled builds to accomodate how I'm feeling that day.
Drink lots of water & make time to snack often - I'm the kind of person where once I get in the zone, I can end up working through lunches and forget to get up and go to the bathroom. Being pregnant has forced me to change from this approach, and instead remember to get up, take breaks, and eat some food. I even purchased a 1/2 gallon Hydro Jug to make sure I'm drinking enough water throughout the day, and I don't think I'll go back to a smaller bottle!
Prioritize what has to get done before baby comes - Rather than adding to a never ending to-do list, I like to pick 3 things that have to get done that week and focus on knocking those out. Even if I'm doing something small each day to get closer to completing that task, I make that my focus. At the end of the week, I'm able to look back at what I've accomplished and feel relaxed about my progress.
Figure out how you want your maternity leave to look & be flexible - The US isn't like other places in the world where you're guaranteed paid maternity leave. As a small business owner, you have to figure out what leave will look like for you, and depending on how much it'll impact your business, what kind of support you'll need to make it possible. We're fortunate in that we can focus on taking on more coaching clients for our Amplifier program, and schedule builds for Website in a Day, Fundamentals and Essentials around my leave. If you can figure out other services your business can focus on delivering while you're away, the less stressed or guilty you'll feel about taking time off.
Ignore the "just wait until" & unhelpful comments - If you let yourself, you can end up "just waiting until" your entire life. There's always going to be someone who is ahead of you and has more experience, it's not a competition. Enjoy your pregnancy and don't let the unhelpful comments get you down. I especially love when people tell me to "bank up on sleep now because I won't be getting any when the baby comes" (if only sleep worked that way).
A balanced business will make the change easier - Work-Life balance is only achievable if you're willing to let go and accept that there will be some bumps along the way as you work towards finding balance in your business. Some automations will have issues, and mistakes may happen, but eventually, you'll get it right and it will run smoothly. It's up to you to decide how important work-life balance is!
Products I Recommend for the Pregnant Business Owner
Disclaimer: I have personally used these products, and if you choose to click the link and purchase one of these products, as an Amazon Associate, I will receive a commission for referring it.
Preggie Pops for Nausea - These were a huge help for me during the first trimester, as nausea was a daily symptom. They tasted great and are made with all natural ingredients.
Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Complete Stretch Mark and Pregnancy Skin Care Kit - Smells good and great combination of skin care for your growing belly. I have sensitive skin, so I was happy to find lotion, cream, balm and oil that was gentle and smelled nice.
POSHDIVAH Women's Maternity Leggings (Over the Belly) - I held off on buying maternity leggings for a while and when I finally caved, I was so glad that I did. I love that these have pockets on the side for my phone and Chapstick, and that they go over the belly to give me that extra support.
Enerful Women's Maternity Yoga Shorts Over the Belly - Like the maternity leggings, I liked that these went over my bump and came with pockets. They're also super soft and don't attract tons of dog hair, which is super important when you have a giant Great Pyrenees in your home!
BATTOP Pregnancy Pillows Full Body Maternity Pillow - I got this as a gift early on in my pregnancy and have been using it every night since. It helped train myself to become a side sleeper, and I the U-shape helps keep my hips and knees aligned while sleeping.
LightEase Memory Foam Pregnancy Side Sleeping Pillow (great for belly and back support) - I like to use this with the body pillow - just place the wedge in between for maximum support. It's also great when you're sitting or laying on the couch and want to give your bump some support/relief.
KN95 Face Masks - Pregnancy puts you in the immune compromised group, and you're going to need face masks for your doctor's visits at the very least, so take care of yourself and your baby with a face mask. I love that these fit my face nicely, don't push up against your mouth, and are individually wrapped so I know if they've been used yet or not.
Waterproof Mattress Protector - Just incase your water breaks while sleeping, or if there's a surprise from baby, it's nice to know that your mattress is protected. I like that it's comfortable (doesn't make crinkle noises), waterproof, and breathable.
1/2 Gallon HydroJug with Integrated Handle - I bought this with the insulating cover & strap, which comes with pockets (fits my iPhone and Chapstick), and it's with me all the time now.
Maternity Belt Pregnancy Back Support Brace - This is especially helpful during your third trimester, as it gives your belly and back a break. I like to wear it for long walks or if I'm doing work around the house. They recommend not wearing it for longer than 3 hours at a time, so I keep an eye on how long I have it on for, but it's a great help.
Adjustable TV Tray Table - This has been handy for when I'd prefer to sit on the couch and work from my laptop instead of at my desk. It has adjustable levels you can set it to, which accommodates your bump nicely and it's lightweight, so I can move it around and set it up easily.
Prenatal DHA with Folic Acid - I started taking these prenatals when I found out I was pregnant, and I like that they are strawberry flavored - makes them easy to go down.
As an introvert, I wasn't sure how much I'd share about my pregnancy. I don't plan to share photos of our little boy on social media, and for the most part, have kept the pregnancy on the down low.
Yet, I thought about how tough the transition from running your business to becoming a first time mom can be, and wrote this in the hopes that it can help make things a little easier for those starting out on this path.
To the small business owners who are becoming new parents, you're not alone on this journey!
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