I’ve been freelancing since I was pregnant with my first child, so I can easily say that it’s one of the best things about being pregnant. I loved being pregnant. It made me feel powerful, strong, and like a superhero.
Beyond the many benefits of working for yourself at any time (e.g., you get to make your hours, work in your pajamas all day long and avoid those awkward “who’s bringing donuts?” meetings), there are some major perks to working while you’re carrying a tiny person inside you. So let’s explore them now!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Assess Your Health: Prioritize your health and consult with healthcare professionals to ensure freelancing during pregnancy is feasible and safe for you and your baby. |
| 2. Plan for Maternity Leave: Develop a clear plan for maternity leave, including setting client expectations, arranging for backup support, and managing your workload before and after childbirth. |
| 3. Communication is Key: Maintain open communication with clients about your pregnancy and expected timeline for work availability. Transparent communication builds trust and understanding. |
| 4. Financial Preparedness: Prepare financially for potential fluctuations in income during maternity leave and consider building an emergency fund to cover unforeseen expenses. |
| 5. Flexibility and Self-Care: Embrace flexibility in your freelance schedule and prioritize self-care to manage the demands of both freelancing and pregnancy effectively. |
The Flexibility Of The Schedule
As a pregnant freelancer, you can work when you want. You don’t have to be at an office from 9-5 every day. If your baby is sleeping, then it’s time for you to work.
If your baby is awake and distracting, no biggie you can take a break and play with him/her when he/she naps.
- Working from home means that there is no commute time wasted in traffic jams or waiting for buses or trains, which leaves more time for family life.
- You will also save money on gas and car maintenance costs if you don’t have to drive anywhere every day (and this might even lower your insurance premiums).
Embracing freelancing while on maternity leave can be a rewarding experience. If you’re considering it, check out our article on some thoughts on freelancing while on maternity leave to gain insights and tips on managing both personal and professional life during this precious time.
The Flexibility Of Location
When you’re a freelancer, you can choose the location where you want to work on a given day. Some days, you’ll be at home with your baby. Other days, if the weather is nice outside or it’s too cold inside (depending on where you live), working outside is a great idea.
You can also choose to go somewhere else entirely a coffee shop, library, beach…the possibilities are endless! One of our favorite places to go when we need some downtime away from our house is our local park along Lake Michigan.
There’s always plenty of green space and fresh air available for us to enjoy while we get some work done.
Reduced Stress From Commuting
As a freelancer and a mom-to-be, you will be able to reduce your commute dramatically. Your work can be done from home or even from a local coffee shop. This means that you will not have to deal with traffic and commuting stress.
As a pregnant woman who is working as a freelancer, her health and safety need to minimize the amount of time she spends on the road in addition to reducing the risk of injury due to accidents or poor driving conditions.
Reduced Public Exposure
Freelancers have reduced exposure to public germs, chemicals, radiation, and electromagnetic fields. They also have reduced stress and violence in the workplace, as well as exposure to noise and air pollution.
The home office is a much quieter place than an open-plan office space where you may be working next to loud colleagues or even noisy construction workers outside of your window.
This can make it easier for pregnant women who find it difficult to concentrate when there is too much background noise around them.
Preparing for maternity leave while freelancing requires careful planning. Our guide on how to prepare for and get the most out of maternity leave despite freelancing offers valuable advice on optimizing your freelance career and enjoying quality time with your newborn.
Fewer Health Risks From Workplace Hazards
When you’re pregnant, the last thing you want to do is worry about health risks from your workplace. Unfortunately, this can be a real concern for many women who work in offices and other traditional workplaces.
While there are no guarantees that working from home will always keep you safe from all of these dangers, it certainly helps. You don’t need to worry about chemicals and fumes that may be present in your office space or any other physical hazards like excessive heat or cold temperatures.
You don’t have to worry about keeping your work safe that means both keeping it clean and secure (and out of reach). And organizing all those files and documents into a logical structure is easy when they’re sitting right on top of your desk rather than buried behind piles of paperwork in filing cabinets across town!
Increased Ability To Drink Water And Stay Hydrated
The second trimester brings with it an increased need for water, which is key to keeping your body hydrated and maintaining proper functioning. During pregnancy, you need to drink at least 8 glasses of water each day (and more if you live in a hot climate).
In addition to helping you stay healthy and fit, drinking this much water ensures that all of your bodily functions run smoothly. When it comes to staying healthy during pregnancy, there are plenty of reasons why freelancing when pregnant can be a good idea
Drinking enough fluids will help ensure that your unborn baby gets the nutrients she needs from the food you eat and it’s especially important that she receives enough calcium for her bones to develop properly
Increased Ability To Eat Food And Stay Nourished
- You’ll be able to eat food.
- Eating healthy food can help you stay healthy, energized, focused, and happy during your pregnancy. It also helps you stay calm when you’re feeling irritable. The good news: freelancing lets you work from home.
So there’s no excuse not to have a fully stocked kitchen with fresh fruits and vegetables on hand at all times during those first few months of carrying another human inside your body (which is something that happens every day).
Balancing motherhood and freelancing can be financially rewarding. Learn from real experiences in our article on how I made $10,000 with part-time work during maternity leave and discover practical strategies to boost your income while cherishing motherhood.
Increased Ability To Use The Bathroom
Being pregnant is a tricky time. One of the biggest challenges of pregnancy is that you need to go to the bathroom more frequently than usual. This can be especially inconvenient if you’re working in an office, as it can take quite a bit of time to get back and forth between your desk and the restroom.
However, when you work from home as a freelancer, no lines or other people are waiting for their turn. You can just walk down the hall and use whatever bathroom happens to be available at that time without disrupting anyone else’s work day (or disturbing them with your frequent trips.
But wait there’s more. Even though having your own home office does make it easier for you to get out of there when things start feeling like they’re getting too close for comfort (although hopefully not literally).
It also gives you plenty of opportunities for taking breaks throughout the day so that if something more pressing comes up say spending time with family members who are coming over later in the day you won’t have any trouble resuming work after everyone leaves again!
Better Sleep Due To Fewer Interruptions
Another perk of freelancing is that you’ll get better sleep. You can’t control your body clock, but being able to wake up when you feel like it is a huge help.
In addition:
- Reduced stress from commuting means more energy for the baby-to-be and less chance of gestational diabetes (a hormonal condition that affects blood sugar levels) or other health risks relating to high-stress levels.
- Fewer public exposure dangers like radiation or chemical exposure in the workplace mean a safer work environment for both mom and baby during pregnancy.
- Increased ability to drink water and stay hydrated means healthier kidneys for mom, which will translate into less risk of preeclampsia (dangerously high blood pressure).
This condition can also cause protein in the urine as well as low platelet counts (less than 150,000 per microliter), meaning that fewer platelets are available to form clots if one breaks loose inside your bloodstream.*
More Time At Home With Family And Pets
You can spend more time with your family and friends. Your significant other, children, and parents are going to need you more than ever during this time. It’s not uncommon for new mothers to feel isolated or lonely as they adjust to life with a newborn baby.
You might also be wondering if you’re making the right decision by being away from home so much. The good news is that freelance work won’t take away from your ability to spend quality time with those who love you most in the world.
Juggling freelancing and family commitments requires dedication and determination. If you’re facing this challenge, our article on the truth about juggling freelancing and family sheds light on how successful freelancers manage their work-life balance effectively.
No Need To Explain One’s Absence While On Maternity Leave.
When you’re pregnant, you don’t have to explain your absence from work. It might be seen as a sign of maturity that you can take care of yourself and your baby without having to prove yourself at work.
Freelancing is also a good option for women who want to work while pregnant. As an independent contractor, there is no need for maternity leave as well as other benefits like sick days because freelancing doesn’t include any full-time commitment with one employer
No Need To Prove Oneself. Just Do The Work.
When working for a company, you have to prove yourself. You have to show them how good of an employee you are and how hard you work. However, when freelancing, it’s your choice when and where to work.
You can choose the projects that interest you most and then dedicate all your time to those projects without feeling like there is constant pressure to be doing more.
You will also not be required to put in extra hours at home if the project calls for it because of this freedom as well!
Securing affordable health insurance is essential for freelancers. Check out our comprehensive guide on how to save money on health insurance when you’re freelancing to explore various options and make informed decisions for your well-being and financial stability.
Final Thoughts
You’ll have to decide what’s best for you and your baby, but hopefully, the benefits of freelancing when pregnant listed above will help you make that decision. If you’re not a freelancer yet, it’s never too late to get started.
Further Reading
Navigating a Freelance Career While Pregnant: Discover valuable insights and tips on managing a freelance career during pregnancy, ensuring a successful and fulfilling journey.
Balancing Freelance Work and Motherhood: Learn from the experiences of other freelancers as they share practical advice on striking the right balance between freelance work and motherhood.
Maternity Leave Advice for Freelancers and Self-Employed Individuals: This article provides valuable guidance for freelancers and self-employed individuals on navigating maternity leave and managing their businesses effectively.
People Also Ask
What Are Some Of Those Precautions?
First, make sure that you’ve got all the insurance coverage you need for yourself and your baby, including vision, dental, and prescription drug plans. You may also want to consider adding a rider to your health insurance policy that covers pregnancy complications.
This can be especially helpful if you have any preexisting conditions or chronic illnesses before becoming pregnant.
Second, be sure to get plenty of sleep (at least 8 hours per night) and exercise regularly throughout your pregnancy this will help keep both mommy and baby healthy during this special time. Finally, don’t forget about nutrition it’s important for both mommy AND baby.
But What About My Baby? What If She Gets Sick?
A: If your baby gets sick, your doctor will advise you on how best to care for her during her illness. If she has a fever or other symptoms of illness like vomiting or diarrhea, don’t worry you can take care of yourself as well as your child without risking any harm to either one of you.
You’ll need to be extra careful about washing your hands before handling food or drinks, but otherwise, it’s business as usual for both mommy-to-be and baby girl (or boy.
Will Freelancing Affect My Ability To Breastfeed?
Nope! If you’re breastfeeding and want to continue freelancing after giving birth, there are two things you should know: first, make sure that your workspace is as clean as possible so that you don’t spread germs from one client’s workspace to another; second, make sure that other people in your household understand what it means when they see you working on your laptop while they’re around (for example: “please don’t come over here right now because I’m trying to get this done”).
Can I Work While Pregnant?
It depends on the type of work you do. If your job requires heavy lifting, climbing stairs, or standing all day, then it might not be safe for you to continue working in these conditions.
However, if you are a freelancer or work from home, there is no reason why you should not continue working throughout your pregnancy.
How Do I Get Started?
The first step is setting up an LLC or sole proprietorship (depending on your state’s laws), then registering with a freelancer site like Upwork or Fiverr. From there, it’s just a matter of finding clients who have work that needs doing and completing those jobs.
Will I Be Able To Work As A Freelancer When I’m Pregnant?
Yes, you can! You just need to make sure that you’re taking care of yourself and following all the rules your doctor gives you. If you have any concerns about the quality of your work while pregnant, talk to your employer and make sure they understand how important it is for you to stay on top of your game.
What If My Employer Doesn’t Understand Why This Is So Important?
This is a tough one, but there are several things we’d recommend trying before giving up on working while pregnant. First off, make sure they know how much work goes into being a freelancer:
every project is different, so it might take some time for them to understand exactly how much time and energy each one will take out of your day (and how much more difficult it can be when pregnant.
Second, if possible, consider trying to use vacation days instead of sick days this way if there’s ever any confusion about what’s going on with your pregnancy or health issues, there will be no confusion about whether or not you’re sick enough to miss work.
Will My Pregnancy Affect My Work?
In general, no. You may be more tired at the end of your day, but if this is manageable for you, there’s no reason not to continue working as normal. If your energy levels are lower than usual (and/or if you have morning sickness), consider taking more frequent breaks and perhaps working from home one or two days per week.
What Kind Of Equipment Do I Need?
You’ll want an ergonomic chair and desk for yourself one that supports your back and allows you to sit upright without slouching and a treadmill desk if possible (or a standing desk).
You can also use an exercise ball as a chair if you don’t want to buy a new one right now! Your computer should be on its stand rather than sitting flat on a table so that it’s easier on your wrists when typing.
What Kinds Of Jobs Are Safe For Me During Pregnancy?
There are lots of different kinds of jobs that are safe during pregnancy, but some will be more comfortable than others depending on how far along your pregnancy is and how much weight you’ve gained.
Some examples include office work in an air-conditioned environment (such as writing), working with plants (like landscaping), and using your hands (like playing piano). The key is to pick something that doesn’t require too much movement or heavy lifting.
How do I know if it’s OK for me to keep freelancing as a freelancer?
If you’ve been working as a freelancer for a while, then it’s likely safe for you to keep working this way during pregnancy.
However, if this is a new venture for you or if there are any concerns about the safety of freelancing during pregnancy (such as an increased risk of miscarriage), then it’s best to talk with your doctor or midwife first before continuing with your business.
What Precautions Should I Take?
Make sure that you’re getting regular checkups and talking with your doctor about how much work you can handle while pregnant. It’s also important not to overwork yourself or push yourself beyond what feels comfortable because this could lead to complications later on in the pregnancy.
What Is The Best Way To Manage My Business When I’m Pregnant?
There are a few different approaches you can take, depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy. If you’re just starting as a freelancer, then you may want to consider working with clients that aren’t expecting work from you right away.
If they aren’t expecting work, they can wait until after your baby is born and you’ve had time to adjust to life with a new baby.
If you’ve been freelancing for some time, then it’s probably too late to change who your client base is. However, if possible, try to find clients who are flexible with deadlines and give them plenty of notice before asking for extensions or missing deadlines because of your pregnancy.
What Is The Best Way To Work When You’re Pregnant?
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to working while pregnant, but we recommend that you keep a few things in mind. First, make sure you have a comfortable place to sit and work.
If possible, find a desk or table with an adjustable chair so that your posture can be improved as your belly grows. We recommend finding a chair that will tilt back and support your body so that you don’t get too uncomfortable when sitting at the computer.
Next, make sure your monitor is at eye level or slightly below it if possible. You may need to sit on a stool or box while working if this isn’t possible.
Finally, remember to take frequent breaks throughout the day and don’t feel guilty about taking them. Your body needs time off from sitting down now and again so don’t hesitate to take breaks every hour or two if necessary.
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.