For women, working within a male-dominated field can be incredibly taxing on multiple levels. For one thing, the mindset that permeates male-dominated spheres is generally not overtly accepting of women in power. While there may be public-facing acts of good sportsmanship regarding such issues, the mantra and mentality behind closed doors are often far removed from that. Far more persistently, as has historically been the case for centuries, women’s work is simply underappreciated when compared to their male peers, even when those men don’t work as hard or achieve as much success.
Female founders are grossly undervalued. Though women make up 38% of business owners, startups with only female founders consistently receive just 2% to 3% of venture investment. That speaks volumes about long-standing gender biases in the entrepreneurial space. In a system where women must already work much harder to be recognized as successful, the added complexity of pregnancy can feel like an almost insurmountable hurdle.
To Work or Not to Work
For many women, a common conundrum faced during pregnancy is: should I work up to the point that I physically can, or should I take time off? These issues are only further compounded when working as a female founder. Such matters should be handled on a case-by-case basis, with your doctor’s opinion being prominently considered. However, it’s worth noting that pregnancy doesn’t have to serve as a hindrance to your work. Rather, continuing to raise funding while pregnant can serve as proof of your passion and commitment from every angle. Those working for you will come to appreciate you all the more, and those with whom you do business will learn to truly treasure your time and skill as a result.
Furthermore, investors are putting up capital with no guarantee that the startup will survive, let alone deliver a return on investment. Investors are incredibly risk-averse, which is part of the reason just 2% of venture capital funding is given to women-led startups. There’s no telling whether you will require an extended absence to focus on your health or if your appetite for entrepreneurship will wane as you navigate motherhood—but investors will want a clear picture of how it’s likely to impact their investment.
Trust and Planning Are Essential
Trust is a crucial part of the founder-investor relationship, and disclosing a pregnancy shows the honesty and openness that investors value. Conversely, hiding a pregnancy suggests the opposite and could come back to have grave consequences down the line, sowing seeds of deceit and distrust. Honesty is always the best policy, and as any investor worth their salt knows, no startup’s journey is truly complete without its struggles. If not pregnancy, there would be a different challenge to navigate, so don’t put your fundraising plan on hold just because you’re expecting.
Could you potentially face bias while working pregnant? Yes, but again, as a female founder in a male-dominated field, this is nothing new. A recent study found that 62% of female founders report experiencing discrimination during the fundraising process, whether pregnant or not.
A comprehensive maternity plan—detailing any expected absences and how responsibilities will be managed—goes a long way toward assuaging concerns as well. Many people seem to view pregnant women as ticking time bombs, no doubt thanks to the bountiful bevy of television shows and movies in which a pregnant character is introduced for the sole purpose of having their water break at the most inconvenient of times. But in reality, pregnancy is far less volatile and unpredictable. Chances are high that you will know a great deal more about your expected delivery date than those characters in media, meaning that you and your company can plan around significant dates, check-ups, or even your delivery.
