According to the CDC there were 3,661,220 births reported in 2022. That’s a lot of new bundles of joy. So, for those contemplating pregnancy, or plan on growing your family in the near future, here are a few insights to keep in mind.
Preparing for maternity leave:
When you receive the amazing news that you are having a baby, your health care team will provide an estimated due date for delivery. The goal is to prepare as much as possible before that date arises. As wedding pros, often our calendar is booked 12-16 months ahead of time, so your due date might end up being during a window that is full of events. That means you have to create some plans, and put them into motion when/if the need arises. What can you do?
1) Think: Take time to think about what your new goals are in relation to your business and raising a family. If you have a significant other, discuss with them how they envision the work/life balance to be.
2) Network: Start contacting fellow industry professionals to see who might be available to take on your events the weeks prior and after the expected arrival date. Are they willing to be on stand-by or do you just need to 100% transition events over to them to ensure they are covered?
3) Update: Notify your clients and the vendors of the events you have scheduled about your joyous news. Then let them know you have already secured a top notch replacement. Let them know how much you will be involved still with their event and when the replacement will take over. Also, be clear with how long you will be taking time off from work and stick to it.
4) Slow Down: As you get closer to your due date you might feel a sense of urgency to try to get as many tasks as possible accomplished prior to the baby’s arrival. However, stress and high blood pressure are not healthy for you or the baby. Slow down and delegate as much as you can during those final weeks. Give yourself extra time leading up to your delivery date and afterwards when your work schedule is reduced or shared with someone else so that way if you have need to stop working nothing slips through the cracks.
Preparing For Unexpected Situations
1) Early Delivery: The due date calculated by your doctor is just an estimation. According to the March of Dimes, around 10% of births in the United States are preterm. When considering what your plans are for shifting gears as you get closer to your due date make sure you are thinking about your health and the change in your body that won’t be accustomed to working long days with few breaks. Stay hydrated, take breaks, and listen to your body when it says it needs to rest. What if early delivery is out of your control? There are a few medical issues that can develop with pregnancy that might require delivery of the baby early for the safety of mother and child. Infections, blood pressure, diabetes, stress, trauma, and other health diagnoses. My second daughter had to be delivered at 36 weeks via c section, due to an acute case of appendicitis that developed, resulting in a lengthy stay for her in the NICU and myself. The necessary follow-up care needed by both of us to ensure we were both safe and healthy had to be prioritized over client needs. Slowing down on work early helped facilitate keeping my wedding clients' events moving forward when I wasn’t available.
2) Loss of Pregnancy: According to the World Health Organization 10-15% of women suffer a miscarriage, and around 2 billion experience a stillbirth every year. As varied as the experience of losing a baby may be, around the world, stigma, shame and guilt emerge as common themes. All of this takes an enormous toll on women. Many women who lose a baby in pregnancy can go on to develop mental health issues that last for months or years, even when they have gone on to have healthy babies. If this has been your personal story please know you are not alone. This is, yet another example of, another situation to plan for, and to create contingency plans around. If you need help, make sure to reach out to a professional who can guide you through this painful experience: https://mchb.hrsa.gov/national-maternal-mental-health-hotline
In summary, with the exciting news that a baby is on its way, there is much to consider in relation to how the new addition to the family will change every aspect of your life. Prepare in advance, by discussing with your partner how you see the change in workflow, and then network to find the right person to assist with your events. Communicate with your clients and Vendors about the upcoming adjustments that will be happening. Lastly, take care of yourself by slowing down, and delegating, as you get closer to the arrival of your new blessing.
Brianne Ackerland Stress-Free Weddings, Inc. IA
Photographer: Aaryn Mae Exposures
Content provided by Brianne Ackerland, owner of Stress-Free Weddings, Inc. located in IA.
Brianne is a Certified Educator and holds the following certifications from the CWP Society. Certified Wedding Planner, Certified Wedding Design Consultant, Master Certified Wedding Planner.
Awards: 2021 Most Helpful Wedding Planner & 2024 Wedding Planner Of The Year Award.
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