Working While Pregnant: How I Managed Two Businesses
Let me start by saying the cliche but very true statement of “everyone's pregnancy is not the same”. 📣
Let’s be honest, pregnancy is a full-time job all by itself. Now add running not just one, but two businesses, and suddenly you’re not just growing a human, you’re juggling client emails, renovation timelines, and trying to remember the last time you ate something other than crackers. I’ve been there. Between our rental property renovation (which came to a sudden halt once I found out I was pregnant) and managing our web design and development business, there were plenty of days when just getting out of bed felt like a win. But through the nausea, exhaustion, and the mental overload, I still managed to complete a big goal: launching a new website template for our shop, and I’m so proud of it. My experience may not be the majority, but for those who can relate, this is for you.
Before we dive in, I want to take a moment to say how much of a blessing it is to be carrying this baby. Even on the hardest days, I’m constantly reminded of how grateful I am to God for this experience. Growing life is a miracle, and I don’t take it lightly. Through every wave of fatigue and every slowed-down task list, I feel incredibly honored to walk this journey, even with all the challenges that come with it…Thank You, Lord! <3
Here are some things I have learned. Let’s get into it…
1. Accept That You Can't Do It All (and That’s Okay)
One of the hardest lessons I had to learn during this pregnancy was that rest is productive. I love being hands-on in our business, especially when we’re deep in creative work or mid-project. But there were days when I physically couldn’t sit at my desk, answer emails, or do anything beyond curling up with a heating pad. And I had to learn to be okay with that. Give yourself some grace and slow down. The business won’t fall apart, you’re doing your best, and that’s enough.
2. Lean on Your Man
This season is not meant to be carried alone, especially when you’re growing a whole human and working. I can’t say enough about how much it has helped to lean on my husband during this time. Whether it's picking up slack with the rental property, encouraging me when I’m feeling behind, or just sitting with me when I need a break, his support has made all the difference. If you're married, don’t be afraid to ask for help or to communicate your limits. You're a team, and this is one of those seasons where teamwork becomes even more valuable.
3. Pray for Peace and a Calm Mind
Pregnancy, business, life, it can all feel like a lot. One thing that’s kept me grounded in the chaos is leaning into my faith. When things feel out of control, I pray. I ask God for peace when my mind is racing, for strength when I’m physically tired, and for clarity when I don’t know what to prioritize. And you know what? He always shows up. If you're walking through this season feeling overwhelmed, I encourage you to slow down, take a breath, and invite God into your work, your rest, and your heart. You don’t have to carry the weight of it all on your own.
4. Set Small, Achievable Goals
When energy is limited, setting massive to-do lists can leave you overwhelmed and discouraged. I started shifting my focus to one or two key tasks a day. Some days, it was just messaging one client back. Other days, I had more energy and could dive into design work for our templates. Slowly but surely, all those little steps added up, and that’s how I finished building and launching a new website template in the middle of this pregnancy season. WHOOT WHOOT!
5. Know When to Pause (Like Our Renovation Project)
When we found out I was pregnant, one of the first things we had to pause was the renovation of one of our rental units. Physically, it just wasn’t doable for me to be onsite making decisions, lifting things, painting, or even just being around the dust and chaos. It was frustrating at first, especially because we had a timeline of when things would be done, but it also freed up space to focus on what I could handle: design work and creative strategy from the comfort of my desk (or bed). Sometimes pausing one thing allows you to give better energy to another.
6. Celebrate the Wins (Big or Small)
Whether it’s finishing a client project, publishing a blog post, or just making it through a workday without a nap, you deserve to celebrate those wins. Creating and launching a new template for our shop while navigating morning sickness and fatigue felt like a mountain climb. But hitting that goal reminded me just how capable women are, even when we’re operating at half our usual energy. WE ARE AMAZING!
7. Give Yourself Grace with Household Tasks
One of the biggest mental hurdles for me during this season has been keeping up with the house. Dishes pile up, laundry never ends, and suddenly even sweeping the floor feels like climbing a mountain. Some days I can tidy up and feel great about it, ohhh, but those other days, just getting out of bed and feeding myself is enough. I’ve learned to give myself sooooo much grace. If the kitchen isn’t spotless or the laundry waits an extra day, that’s okay. Your health and your baby come first (please remember this!). It’s okay to ask for help, let some things go, or create a simplified routine that works for this stage of life. You’re still doing an amazing job, even if the floors aren’t sparkling.
The Journey Isn’t Easy, But It’s Worth It
Running a business while pregnant is not for the faint of heart. It’s messy, unpredictable, and honestly, really hard sometimes. But it’s also a season of growth, personally, professionally, and literally! If you're navigating the nausea, the fatigue, the joy, and the chaos all at once, know that you are not alone. Give yourself grace, take breaks when you need them, and celebrate every… single… win. You’re doing more than enough Mama.
And if you're looking for a fresh, ready-to-launch website design that can save you hours of work (especially helpful when naps are non-negotiable), check out our template shop It's filled with resources made by someone who totally gets it.
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