Pregnant and Job Searching: Should You Pause or Keep Going
A follower wrote to me, “I am trying to conceive, I'm finally pregnant but I don’t know if to pause my job search. I’ve been with my company for 2 years and there is no growth.”
If you are in a similar position as her… First off, WHO ME?! I’m flattered you’re coming to Career Civility for advice. And secondly, congratulations my friend! I’m genuinely so honored you’d bring me into this moment with you.
Trying to conceive, finally seeing that positive test, and then facing the big question of “what now with my career?” IS a lot to process. Really hits you like a tidal wave, huh? You’ve been SO focused on one aspect of your life and now everything else comes into focus. What now?? Do I stay to get maternity leave? Do I look elsewhere? Will I even be eligible for maternity leave if I start a new job? Will they even hire me if I’m pregnant?
While there are many, many other qualified people and organizations out there here to help you navigate this delicate season (read my previous blog post), here are my two cents:
1. Don’t discount yourself
There’s something powerful about this season of life. It’s uncanny, really. So many women I know, including myself, found that the years of growing their families were also the years they grew their biggest dreams. New jobs, business launches, bold career moves…it seems to me these often happen alongside pregnancy and early motherhood.
You’re not “limited” by pregnancy. You’re creating, both in life and in your career. Don’t count yourself out just because you’re expecting. Dream big! Those goals are yours to chase. Your capacity is expanding and you are evolving – all for the better!
2. Think about leave benefits
Here’s where the practical side comes in. Your current company may not have growth, but maybe it has a solid leave program. On the flip side, a new role might look shiny, but what happens if they require you to be in the seat for 12 months before you’re eligible for parental leave?
It’s worth comparing policies, because this could have a big impact on your first year as a new parent.
Don’t hesitate to ask about leave policies
→ “as with all interview processes, I always like to ask for the company policies ahead of time. Are you able to share benefits (health, dental, 401k,etc) and leave policies (parental, short term/long term, etc) with me?”
3. Consider your timeline
If you decide to pursue new opportunities, ask the tough questions during the interview process. Does leave kick in day one? Or is there a waiting period? Some organizations are generous. Others… not so much.
Being strategic about when you make your move could mean less stress later.
4. Give yourself grace with timing.
I’ll be honest…after both of my maternity leaves, I changed jobs just 3–4 months postpartum. Looking back, I wish I had given myself another 2–3 months before making such a big leap.
It’s not that it was the wrong decision, it worked out. But I was still healing, still finding my rhythm, still sleep-deprived. If I could go back, I’d tell myself: it’s okay to pause, take some more time to sit with this decision, and let things settle before jumping into something new.
At the end of the day, there’s no “right” answer. You don’t have to put your dreams on hold just because you’re pregnant. But you also don’t have to sprint toward the next thing if what you really need right now is stability and space.
Both paths are valid and both paths will still lead you toward growth because you’re already in a season of incredible transformation.
Either choice you make will be the right choice for you and your family. I hope these considerations were somewhat helpful. All my best to you on this journey of designing what career motherhood means to you.
