I learned I was pregnant a week after signing on to an AI startup. I shipped up until I gave birth — here's how I managed.

In an inspiring account, Rachael Fuller, a 31-year-old product engineer at Replit, shares her unique experience of navigating the challenges of launching a startup while preparing for motherhood. Living in San Francisco with her husband, whom she met at the age of 12, Rachael reflects on the whirlwind that followed their pandemic-postponed wedding and the arrival of their first child. Rachael discovered she was pregnant just as she was winding down her previous venture. Although the idea of joining a large tech company for the maternity benefits was tempting, she decided to embrace the startup world instead. 'I don't know that I would recommend it,' she admits, acknowledging the immense workload that came with both building a new company and preparing for her baby. To manage, they relocated back to Massachusetts to be closer to family, seeking the necessary support. Rachael emphasizes the importance of having a supportive partner, crediting her husband, a stay-at-home dad, for making this journey manageable. Despite her relatively easy pregnancies, she recognized the sacrifices involved, including forgoing her love for cooking and hosting dinner parties. She joined Replit in April, only to find out she was expecting her second child shortly after accepting the offer. The family-oriented culture at Replit, where coworkers often bring their children to the office, felt like a perfect fit. This supportive environment allowed her to thrive, even as she tackled demanding projects like the launch of Replit's Connectors feature. The balance was challenging, with Rachael working long hours, especially during the intense lead-up to the product launch. Remarkably, on the day the new feature went live, she rushed from the office to the hospital, in labor. 'How crazy would that be, to literally launch both on the same day?' she mused. The experience taught her valuable lessons about managing time and priorities, especially as she values her family time after hours. Rachael believes that hiring parents can bring significant benefits to companies, as they often excel in time management skills developed through their parenting experiences. Her story is a testament to the resilience and adaptability required in the fast-paced world of startups, all while embracing the joys and challenges of parenthood.