Announcing pregnancy to clients as a sole practitioner

[Anonymous]

If you were a sole practitioner in your field (examples I can think of: accountant, ob/midwife, therapist), how did you tell your clients that you were pregnant? At how many weeks did you do this? Any tips? Better in person or over email? I don't think this news will be well received for my clients and I keep putting it off. If it matters, I will not be taking much of a maternity leave (if any) but I'm really stressing about their reactions.

[Anonymous]

Why do it? No reason to tell them. So you're out on medical leave many months from now, for awhile.

[Anonymous]

If professionals know they will be unavailable, it's polite to provide 2 weeks notice or have coverage you can recommend to the clients. You shouldn't see pregnancy as anything special - no their business. These aren't your "friends". It's not like you have to share your life.

[Anonymous]

Not their business

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do it? No reason to tell them. So you're out on medical leave many months from now, for awhile.

Because they see me on a regular basis and I can only hide my pregnancy for so long. I'm basically at the point where I can't hide it anymore. I have to address it- it could actually be a lot worse than it is (timing wise) and COULD have a substantial impact on them, and I have to let them know that's not the case. Now like I said- they still won't be happy. But I think that saying something and being honest is much better than letting them jump to their own conclusions that may very well be wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If professionals know they will be unavailable, it's polite to provide 2 weeks notice or have coverage you can recommend to the clients. You shouldn't see pregnancy as anything special - no their business. These aren't your "friends". It's not like you have to share your life.

So you would really walk around super pregnant and not even mention it in advance to give them a heads up? I find that really strange. I don't want them jumping to conclusions about my maternity leave and all that, and I agree, I need to share my backup plan.

[Anonymous]

What arrangements are you making in your absence?
Shouldn't you at least give them referrals for someone else during your leave time? And you might not get them back.
Will you hire someone to fill in? If so, you need to share that with your clients.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What arrangements are you making in your absence?
Shouldn't you at least give them referrals for someone else during your leave time? And you might not get them back.
Will you hire someone to fill in? If so, you need to share that with your clients.

Yes to all of this, but I'm trying to figure how how and when to communicate this information. They have all paid me up front for a one time task, so I don't have to worry about them moving to someone else.. BUT I operate on referrals, so I need them to be as happy as possible.

[Anonymous]

Well, I think there's a big difference between when a therapist would disclose this information vs an accountant. So it varies depending on what you do, but sooner-within reason-is probably better than later.

[Anonymous]

It really depends on your field. I mean, an accountant, give a couple weeks notice. A midwife, give a heck of a lot more if they might need to find someone else to deliver their kid.

[Anonymous]

I would send a letter outlining when you will be away and who will be filling in for you.

[Anonymous]

I would send a letter explaining how it happened, and what your childcare plans will be.

[Anonymous]

Personally, I wouldn't. Can you not schefule appointments for maternity leave? I have all of the providers you mentioned, and I've never had anyone tell me they were pregnant. Since you will need to take some leave, for those who will be affected, you should have a backup personal to help them if need be.

[Anonymous]

I'm in medicine and I would handle it by writing a concise letter saying you will not be taking appointments from (period of time you will be out) due to your maternity leave and offer alertnatives for them during that time (for me it would be the ER, Urgent Care, their PCP, etc).

I would make it very matter of fact, professional, no cutesy "another optician is on the way", or anything like that. All business.

It will make it awkward and confusing if you don't and have to announce to individual patients, someone WILL start asking your admin or you directly during appts and that will take time away from their visit.
I would smile kindly when they congratulate you and say something like "I am thrilled, thank you. Now how is your back feeling?" and move on.

[Anonymous]

I told clients in person as the opportunity came up and sent letters to all with details of when I would be completely unavailable, who was covering for me for emergencies, when I would be available for emergencies myself by phone or email, and when I anticipated fully returning to work.