I interviewed for a job while pregnant. I got the role and went on maternity leave 2 months after joining.

• Saira Taneja interviewed for a high-ranking role while she was just over four months pregnant.
• When she disclosed her pregnancy, the president and the CEO still offered her the job.

Editor's note: It is illegal at the federal level — and in New York — to refuse to hire someone because they're pregnant.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Saira Taneja. It has been edited for length and clarity.

When I showed up for my interview at Cover Whale's offices in New York City in February, I had butterflies in my stomach. I was nervous about interviewing for a new job with a new company after having been at my previous company for 10 years, but I was equally concerned I might throw up in the middle of the interview as a result of morning sickness.

I had intentionally worn a loose-fitting dress to the initial interview, not quite ready to explain that I was pregnant. I had been headhunted for the job, and if hired, I would be the highest-ranking woman in the company. There was no way I was going to compromise the possibility of my dream job.

I told them I was pregnant when they offered me the job

Though we had planned for the interview to take two hours, I didn't leave until six hours later. As I returned to my hotel, I saw the president had already emailed to say how well he thought the interview went, leading me to think there was a high chance I'd be offered the role.

When I went back home to Boston to talk with my husband about the possibility of changing jobs after having just been promoted in my company, he told me that whatever happened, I should go with my gut.

I went through all the pros and cons of taking the job if it were offered to me and decided I would go for it. Life's too short to say no to something I wanted, something I had worked so hard for.

After a series of conversations, I was offered the role. In preparing for the final online conversation with the president and the CEO, where I hoped to accept the role, I knew I had to tell them I was pregnant. I planned a script in my head for breaking the news, uncertain how they would respond.

"I'm in a really good place in my career," I said on the call. "If what I'm about to tell you doesn't work for you, I'm happy to stay where I am. I'm pregnant. I'm going to need benefits early and going to have to take time off to be with my baby."

I watched to see if they flinched or fidgeted, but all I saw were smiles.

"We'll waive the waiting period for benefits and make sure you can take maternity benefits," they responded. "You can get your feet under you, have your baby, bond with her, and the work will be here for you when you get back."

I simply couldn't believe their positive response to my big news.

I went on leave 2 months after joining the company

Between starting the job in April and having my daughter in July, I worked tirelessly, alternating between Boston and New York. Even as I was going into labor I was sending emails and Slack messages — not because I was forced to, but out of appreciation for a company that valued me as a whole person with various needs. I loved the company and wanted to give my best while I could before leaving to be with my baby.

When I started my 3 1/2-month parental leave, work provided me with a specialist coach to guide me through the first months of motherhood.

After about a month of being on parental leave, I started to dip my feet back into work. But once again my boss told me to keep enjoying the bonding time with my baby and that the work would be ready once I returned.

I've been back for a little over a month, and the respect for me as a mother and employee has continued. As long as the work gets done, they're happy — I've never had my schedule micromanaged. Every step of the way I've felt supported as a working mom, empowering me as a woman, a person of color, and a mother.

Correction: January 5, 2023 — An earlier version of this story misstated when Taneja was on maternity leave as well as the length of time she worked at her previous job. She went on maternity leave two months after starting her position, not four months. She was at her previous company for 10 years, not at her previous role for 10 years.