During pregnancy, and often in the first few months of parenthood, moms, no matter how much they relish the experience, can feel overwhelmed. Sometimes diverting just a bit of your time toward other pursuits can prove a psychological, emotional and practical boon. Prior to Baby's arrival, such pursuits can serve as great distractions from pregnancy-related discomforts or anxieties. Following the arrival, they can help you find a little time for yourself.

Here are some ways new or expecting moms can put some of their time and energy into hobbies to keep them in touch with the outside world and bring in a bit of extra money on the side.

Because you now spend so much of your time (or at least are starting to spend so much of your time) sourcing, evaluating and purchasing items to help make your child smarter, warmer, healthier, more comfortable or more mobile, why not get paid to help others do the same?

Lori Bloomberg from New York, a full-time member of AOL Canada's marketing team prior to son Avery's birth, recently started working from home for b.b. Designs, a baby products company that sells personalized burp cloths, blankets, bibs and more over the Internet. "Being able to do this from home is great," says Bloomberg. "It brings in a bit of money but also, and more significantly, gives me something business-wise to do. I adore Avery, but it helps to continue feeding that aspect of myself. And it's only a few hours each day."

One popular trend has moms hosting "toy parties" (the 21st-century version of Tupperware parties) or assuming roles as salespeople for companies selling educational products. Shaindy Fischer from Toronto, Canada, is one such mom. In September 2000, after having left the workforce following the birth of her first daughter more than six years earlier, she was recruited by a friend to join the sales team of Discovery Toys – and quickly found it was rewarding on both psychological and practical levels. Now a mother of three, she continues as part of the Discovery Toys team. "It's so nice to be out there, to feel productive, to interact with adults, not to mention to get a check with my name on it," she says. "The size of the check matters less than the feeling it creates."

Robin Hanley, a Canadian mother of three, started "trading time" with other new moms soon after her kids were born. "I'd drop off the kids at a friend's place so I could go exercise," she says. "Then, on a different day, I'd return the favor. Eventually we had a little network going, which allowed each of us to enjoy some personal time without having to worry that our kids weren't being properly looked after."

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