If you’re a freelancing mom-to-be, congratulations. You’ve picked a great time to be independent and have the flexibility to plan your day around your pregnancy. This is also, however, one of the hardest times in your life to keep track of your projects and deliverable deadlines.
You’re tired from all those sessions of morning sickness (and don’t forget that afternoon sickness), you can’t sit for too long without feeling uncomfortable and you might even find yourself forgetting which emails you sent out at work yesterday.
In this post, we’ll go over some simple tips on how to stay on top of your work during pregnancy so that when that new baby arrives, all you have to worry about is adjusting between diaper changes and cuddle sessions.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Balancing freelancing and pregnancy requires proper planning and communication. |
| Prioritize self-care and listen to your body’s needs to manage energy levels effectively. |
| Adjust your workload and client expectations as necessary to maintain a healthy work-life balance. |
| Consider financial considerations, such as budgeting for medical expenses and evaluating insurance coverage. |
| Seek support from relevant resources and communities for guidance and inspiration. |
Take Care Of Yourself First
First and foremost, take care of yourself. Pregnancy is not an easy time, but it’s important to make sure that you are taking care of your physical and emotional health as well. If that means a spa day or some other form of rest, then so be it. Treat yourself.
Some women may find themselves feeling like they don’t have the energy to squeeze in their weekly yoga class or go for a run around the park with their dog. It’s okay if this happens it can happen.
Instead of trying to push through and do things when you don’t feel like doing them, take some time off from exercise altogether (but continue eating healthy). You’ll likely feel better when you get back out there again at some point once the baby comes along.
If being active makes you feel good mentally and physically and more importantly if exercise helps reduce stress levels during pregnancy then definitely stick with whatever workout routine works best for your body type and lifestyle!
Building a successful freelance career while on maternity leave is possible. Check out our guide on Freelance When You’re on Maternity Leave to learn valuable tips and strategies for balancing work and motherhood.
Be Honest With Clients
It’s easy to get trapped in the mindset of “I have a client and I can’t let them down.” It’s okay to ask for help if you need it. It’s okay to say no when your health is at stake. You don’t owe anything to anyone but yourself, so don’t be afraid or ashamed of taking care of yourself first.
If you’re uncomfortable telling your client that you’re pregnant, just explain that you’re having some health issues right now it doesn’t have to be more complicated than that. That way they won’t think less of you or question whether working through pregnancy is possible or not (we all know how much moms love being told how hard something will be).
Choose Your Most Important Projects Wisely
You will want to choose your most important projects wisely. The best projects are those that are going to have the biggest impact on your bottom line, help you build your brand, help you grow your client list, or get more referrals.
When choosing a project, make sure it is something you feel comfortable with and know how to do.
This way, if anything goes wrong during the project or if something unexpected happens while working with the client (like being sick), then you don’t feel like it’s all gone down the drain since there is no way for them to know that things didn’t go as planned.
Speak Up If You Need Help
- Speak up if you need help.
- Ask for help from your family and friends. If they’re not able to provide it, ask them to connect you with someone who can.
- Ask for help from your employer. The company might have certain policies that allow maternity leave or some other type of leave that would give you time off during pregnancy without financial penalty (think: unpaid leave)
- Ask for help from colleagues and clients. They may be able to pick up the overflow work or offer advice on how best to handle things while pregnant so that everything runs smoothly during the entire process without any hiccups occurring at all within any part of their businesses (or lives).
- You should also check in with community organizations nearby where there are likely other freelancers who are also expecting children soon maybe even some who’ve already had children before and see if anyone has spoken about their experiences working as freelancers when pregnant.
This could give us more insight into what worked well when trying out different tactics during those first trimester months post-conception…
Wondering how to manage freelancing while taking care of your newborn? Our article on How to Freelance While on Maternity Leave provides practical advice and insights to help you navigate this exciting yet challenging phase of your life.
Sleep While You Can
It’s important to get enough sleep when you are pregnant. Sleep is the best way to recharge, stay healthy and alert, be productive, and focus on work.
If you’re having trouble sleeping at night because it’s hard to find a comfortable position due to your growing belly or because of other pregnancy symptoms like heartburn or constipation then try lying on a yoga mat with an extra pillow so that your hips don’t fall asleep while you sleep on your side.
Hire Help If You Can Afford It
There are many reasons why you would hire help, including:
- You have too much on your plate.
- You need the time for self-care and rest.
- You have a specific project to complete within a deadline (e.g., a book launch).
If you can afford it, hiring a nanny or housekeeper is one of the best ways to free up your time as a freelancer.
This way, you won’t have to worry about cleaning or cooking while pregnant or recovering from childbirth and that’s important because it allows you to focus on other things like completing projects and growing your business!
Ask Your Employer For An Evaluation
You may be wondering how to receive feedback on your performance while you’re working. If your employer is giving you regular feedback, this will help keep you accountable for the tasks that need to be completed within a set time frame.
If you are working remotely, ask if it would be possible for them to provide an evaluation of your work at the end of each month or quarter.
You can also use tools such as RescueTime or Toggl on your computer to track how much time and energy was spent on different tasks so that they can give more accurate results when evaluating where one should focus their effort in the future months/quarters.
If you are working in an office environment, ask if there’s any sort of formal system used by managers or supervisors when providing evaluations of employees’ performances (e.g., 360-degree reviews).
This gives insight into how well people view themselves vs how others perceive them which can help identify areas where improvement may need addressing before going forward with any changes made as part of being pregnant
Don’t Try To Accomplish Everything At Once
Don’t try to do everything at once. Freelancers and pregnant women alike need to recognize that there are limits on what we can accomplish, especially in the first trimester when fatigue is at its peak.
You may be tempted to throw yourself into work or get started on all of your projects right away, but it’s better if you take things slowly.
That way, if you need a break after an hour or two of working, you’ve got room in your schedule for it and if something comes up (like a doctor’s appointment), then no sweat.
Balancing freelance design work with paternity leave can be a rewarding experience. Discover the journey of one freelancer in our article on How I Started Freelance Design Work While on Paternity Leave and gain inspiration for your own career path.
Set Work Hours And Stick To Them As Best You Can
For example, if you work from home, set your work hours earlier in the day during the first trimester and later in the afternoon as your pregnancy progresses. This is because morning sickness usually subsides by around 12 weeks along.
If you work in an office setting, talk to your boss about taking frequent breaks to go to the restroom (and use them as opportunities to grab some fresh air).
If that isn’t possible due to lack of privacy or other reasons, bring a small stool with you so that when nature calls, you can sit down comfortably while attending to business. Also, consider changing up where and how often you get things done during different parts of your pregnancy. For example:
Keep Your Hydration Levels Up With Water, Juice, And Herbal Tea
Keep your hydration levels up with water, juice, and herbal tea. We know that you’re probably already drinking plenty of water but now is the time to step it up a notch. In addition to drinking more plain H2O than usual, here are some other options for staying hydrated:
- Drink juice or herbal tea (with no sugar).
- Avoid caffeinated drinks (coffee and soda). They’ll dehydrate you faster than anything else. And if you’re breastfeeding, this is especially important; any caffeine that gets into your breast milk will be passed on to your baby.
Healthy Snacks Will Help Keep You Awake And Alert
You need to keep a good balance between what you eat and how much you eat. Snacking is an important part of staying healthy, but it’s easy to go overboard when hungry. The best thing you can do is snack on healthy foods that are high in protein and complex carbs, low in sugar, and high in fiber.
Healthy snacks will help keep you awake and alert while working on projects throughout the day. It may be hard to resist junk food when pregnant because of cravings; however, eating these types of foods can make it harder for your body to process the nutrients it needs during this time.
Learn from the experiences of freelancers who have successfully managed their careers while on maternity leave. Our article on What I Learned from Freelancing While on Maternity Leave shares valuable insights and practical tips to help you make the most of this unique period in your professional life
Stay Active
Exercise can be the key to staying energized and preserving your sanity. And, as mentioned above, it’s also a great way to manage stress.
Exercise has been shown to help women feel more connected with their bodies and experience improved moods a welcome benefit for many new mothers who are often sleep-deprived and overwhelmed by their changing bodies.
Exercise can also help with weight gain during pregnancy (which is one of the most common sources of worry). According to research published in the International Journal of Obesity in 2016, regular exercise may reduce the risk of excessive weight gain during pregnancy by up to 62%.
If you’re worried about gaining too much weight or want something concrete that will motivate you to move more often throughout your pregnancy, try setting up an easy goal like walking 10,000 steps every day without fail or running 5 miles once a week at 6:00 am each morning to keep yourself accountable.
A Little Caffeine Can Go A Long Way In Staying Alert
A little caffeine can go a long way in staying alert. The active ingredient in coffee, caffeine is known to help you stay awake and on task as well as increase your focus and energy.
If you’re concerned about the risks associated with drinking coffee when pregnant, talk with your doctor first before giving it a try. It may be best to avoid caffeinated drinks altogether while expecting or just stick to decaf versions of your favorite beverages if you want something hot or cold.
Dealing with the absence of health insurance as a freelancer can be challenging. Discover effective strategies in our article on What to Do If You’ve Got No Health Insurance While Being a Freelancer to ensure your well-being and financial security while navigating the freelance world.
Final Thoughts
Congratulations on your pregnancy! You’re going to be an amazing mother. It’s a joyous time of your life, but do you know what else it is? A terrifying one.
Maternity leave is certainly an option for you, but what if you don’t want to stop freelancing altogether?. Many pregnant freelancers opt for taking a break from work instead so they can focus on their growing families.
I wish you luck and hope that these tips help during this wonderful time in your life whether or not you decide to freelance while pregnant.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful for managing your freelance career while pregnant:
How to Manage Your Freelance Career While Pregnant: Discover practical tips and advice on maintaining a successful freelance career during pregnancy, including time management strategies and self-care tips.
How to Balance Your Freelance Business While Pregnant: Learn effective strategies for balancing the demands of your freelance business and pregnancy, including setting boundaries, delegating tasks, and managing client expectations.
What to Expect When You’re Expecting as a Freelancer: Gain insights into the unique challenges and opportunities that freelancers face during pregnancy. This article provides valuable advice and real-life experiences from freelancers who have navigated the journey of freelancing while expecting.
People Also Ask
Are Freelance Jobs Safe When You’re Pregnant?
Yes! As long as you take precautions and follow the guidelines below, freelancing while pregnant will not affect your baby.
What Are The Precautions That I Need To Take While Freelancing When Pregnant?
You should avoid working in environments that feel uncomfortable or unsafe and always ask your partner or a close friend to accompany you on any job interview or meeting.
If possible, try to schedule meetings during the day rather than at night so that you can be more alert and focused. You should also avoid any work that involves heavy lifting, moving furniture around, or climbing ladders or scaffolding.
What Should I Do If I Start To Feel Sick?
If you start to feel sick, you should see your doctor as soon as possible. They may want you to take some time off from work until after the baby is born.
What Are Some Things That Can Help Me Stay Focused In The Office While Being Pregnant?
It’s important to find a comfortable place to sit where you can have privacy during phone calls or meetings. You’ll also want to make sure there’s plenty of space around your desk so that you have room to stretch out if necessary!
How Do You Stay On Track With Your Daily Routine When You Have A Baby?
It’s important to keep up with your daily routine and schedule because it helps you keep a healthy body and mind.
If you don’t get enough sleep, eat well, or exercise regularly, it can affect your mood and make you feel more stressed out. If you’re feeling stressed out, try to take some time out of each day to relax and unwind. Try taking a bath or reading a book while listening to relaxing music.
This will help calm down your mind so that it can focus on other things throughout the day instead of just focusing on stressors like work or family obligations (which are important too).
What Do I Need To Stay On Track While Pregnant?
The first thing that comes to mind is exercise! Exercise is extremely important during pregnancy because it helps keep weight off which is good for both mommy-to-be as well as the baby.
Exercise also helps relieve stress from everyday life which can cause high blood pressure issues during pregnancy so make sure you get some time in each day for exercise before bedtime
How Long Should I Expect To Stay On Track While I’m Expecting A Kid?
It depends on the length of your pregnancy, but you should be able to stay on the right track for at least six months. We know it can be tricky to maintain your healthy habits during this time, but if you make sure to get enough sleep and eat well, you’ll be in good shape.
What Are Some Of The Things That Can Cause Me To Fall Off Track?
Feeling tired, stressed out, or overwhelmed can all make it harder to stay focused on what’s important for your health. So can having a baby! Finding ways to manage these feelings is key if you want to stay on track while expecting.
How Do I Find Time For Exercise When I’m Pregnant?
Exercise is great for both mom and baby. Just remember that it’s important for moms-to-be not to overdo it. If you’re pregnant with twins or triplets, you may need extra help from your doctor before starting an exercise program.
Where Can I Find A List Of All The Things I Need To Prepare For Before My Baby Arrives?
The best place to start is with a list of your health providers, insurance information, and any other important information they’ll need to know.
Then you’ll want to make sure that you have a baby book or journal ready, so that you can keep track of all important milestones. If you’re not sure what else to prepare, here’s a short list of things that every new parent needs:
- Nursing bras (make sure they’re comfortable)
- A breast pump (if you plan on breastfeeding)
- Clothes for both baby and parents (make sure there’s some room left in those closets!)
- Baby bottles (don’t forget the nipples)
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.