How to Take Maternity Leave When Self-Employed: Guide for Freelancers

Are you self-employed and expecting a baby? Wondering how to manage maternity leave when you run your own business?

Big news — I’m pregnant!

I’ve had so many questions from readers asking how I plan to handle maternity leave while self-employed. I feel fortunate to run a business that gives me flexibility, but there are still many decisions to make about time off, income, and keeping things running while I’m away.

As a self-employed person, I’m responsible for arranging my own maternity leave. The federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave, but that typically doesn’t apply to independent business owners. A few states offer paid leave programs that can include self-employed workers, but those are exceptions rather than the rule.

Here are two major questions to consider when you’re self-employed and pregnant:

How will you afford not working for several months?
How will you keep your business operating and have something to return to?

Being your own boss means you don’t need permission to take time off, but you likely still want your business to continue to succeed while you’re gone. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, millions of Americans work for themselves, and many face the same challenges around insurance, paid leave, and planning for parental time off.

I don’t know exactly how my own leave will go, but I do know a few things: the time around labor and delivery will be intense, I’ll want to focus on bonding with my baby, and I won’t want to be glued to my computer trying to keep everything afloat.

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The challenge of taking maternity leave when self-employed

One downside of self-employment is that paid vacation or sick leave is usually not available. Depending on your business model, maternity leave could mean little or no income for the months you step away. The same applies to paternity leave: most self-employed people don’t have a formal paid leave policy for parental or illness-related time off.

Do any states provide paid parental leave?

Yes, a handful of states and jurisdictions currently offer paid family leave programs that can benefit self-employed parents, although eligibility and rules vary. Examples include:

California
New Jersey
New York
Rhode Island
Washington
Washington, D.C.

For example, Washington’s program can provide up to $1,000 per week for qualifying parents for up to 12 weeks. Other states, such as Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Oregon, are working on similar programs. If you live in a state with paid leave options, investigate the requirements and whether you need to opt in ahead of time.

Can freelancers get maternity leave?

As a freelancer, you can take maternity leave if you choose — you’re in control of your schedule. Whether that leave is paid depends on multiple factors, including your location, contracts, savings, or short-term disability coverage.

How long is maternity leave for the self-employed?

There’s no standard length. Self-employed parents pick what works for their finances and families: some take only a few days, others take several months or even a year. Consider your personal situation, your business’s needs, and your family’s priorities when deciding how long to step away.

My approach and answers to common questions about maternity leave while self-employed

*At my baby shower when I was around 30 weeks pregnant.*

What I love about my business

I’m grateful to run a flexible online business, which makes planning maternity leave easier. It won’t look like a traditional, employer-provided leave, but I can shape a “blogger maternity leave” that fits my needs. Advantages I have include:

Significant passive income from evergreen posts that continue to earn after publication.
A flexible schedule that doesn’t require me to be online at set hours.
No commute and the ability to work from anywhere.
The ability to work ahead on many tasks.

Getting ahead on work

I’m working to complete and schedule as much content as possible before the baby arrives. My goal is to publish content that’s written and scheduled so I can minimize writing for several months. I’m also lining up partnerships, creating email funnels, handling as many support emails as possible, and scheduling social posts. Doing this upfront is a lot of work but will pay off in reduced stress after the baby is born.

Will I still work during my maternity leave?

Realistically, I expect to do some work while on leave, but I plan to cut back significantly. I love this business and will prioritize tasks that truly need my input — for example, course-related group coaching, active course communities, and urgent partnership communications. Anything that can be completed beforehand will be.

Will I answer emails?

I usually respond to many reader emails, but with a newborn I won’t be able to answer everything personally. I’ll set up a detailed automated response that directs readers to common resources and answers to frequent questions so they aren’t left waiting.

Who will help keep things running?

I have support: an editor, a virtual assistant, and other contractors. My virtual assistant manages day-to-day tasks like responding to course support emails, forwarding urgent matters, promoting new posts, scheduling social media, and moderating groups. My editor is helping me get far ahead on content, and a technical contractor looks after the website. Having this team in place makes a huge difference.

Resources I’m using

I’ve been studying resources that cover finances, maternity leave planning, insurance, and practical newborn preparation. One helpful resource I read covers budgeting for the baby’s first year, understanding insurance, maternity leave, life insurance, and estate planning. I’m also taking a birthing course and reading Expecting Better by Emily Oster to feel prepared for pregnancy and labor.

Other factors to consider

Every business is different. Depending on what you do, consider these options:

Work ahead with clients. Deliver work in advance or structure contracts so you still receive income while you’re away.
Create a dedicated savings fund. Set aside funds specifically to cover months you’ll be off work.
Pursue passive income. Build or expand passive revenue streams to help cover expenses during leave.
Discuss finances with your partner. Coordinate budgeting, debt repayment, and how you’ll share responsibilities.
Look into short-term disability. Some policies can cover maternity leave; they often require advance contributions and have qualification rules.
Plan your return to work. Think about childcare, which tasks take priority upon return, and how to phase back into your workload.
Hire temporary help. A virtual assistant or freelancer can manage operations while you’re away.
Be kind to yourself. Parenting and running a business is challenging; expect imperfect days and give yourself grace.

Conclusion: my maternity leave plan when self-employed

Ultimately, plans can change — babies have their own schedules. I hope to wrap up much of my work about a month before my due date so I can focus on tying up loose ends and taking some time to relax. I consider myself lucky to have a flexible online business and a supportive partner who will share responsibilities. My approach will stay flexible: preparing as much as possible in advance, relying on a small team, cutting back hours, and prioritizing the most important tasks.

What questions do you have for me? Am I missing anything important? Do you have tips for maternity or paternity leave when self-employed?