Ask HN: Apply to YC While Pregnant?

I'm one of three co-founders and I am currently pregnant. Should we apply to YC for the Spring 2025 batch?

My co-founders are very supportive of me and my situation. My partner is also staying at home and will be the primary day-to-day caretaker; I'm fully committed to this company.

My due date is during the latter part of the Spring 2025 batch (June). I don't want to wait for a later batch because we have great momentum and the bones of a very solid business; we know it may take several attempts to get in; we could really use YC help and guidance during this critical time.

Obviously I will disclose my pregnancy to YC - I just don't want to diminish our chances by applying for a batch with these timing considerations.

Has anyone gone through something similar before? Thank you!

2 points | by pregnantfounder 7 hours ago

2 comments

  • getwiththeprog 1 hour ago
    In my experience being a founder with a child while working from home was very compatible. You can have a really good work/life balance. And a lot of late nights :)

    Not sure you are legally or ethically required to 'disclose'. Your body, your decision.

  • dustingetz 7 hours ago
    are you the CEO? why would you disclose? YC is like a weekly dinner and a zoom call right? And it takes many attempts to get in anyway. Shoot your best shot and don’t make imaginary problems. Your cofounders can cover for you if you are not CEO. If you need to skip dinners for the last month will the partners even notice? If you are CEO, fundraising in person while third trimester probably not great optically but other than that you can continue to operate, and seed fundraising is done on zoom anyway so again who would even notice if you don’t talk about it, men are clueless