Teaching Pregnant

JCL22

Hi everyone! Congrats to you! I just found out this past weekend that I'm pregnant with my first! I haven't been to my OBGYN yet but did have a blood test by my GP who confirmed that I'm approx 6 weeks along. My husband and I are so excited and shocked! We just started trying in July and were surprised that it happened so fast!

I'm a teacher and start school in one week from today. I haven't been feeling 100%. Very nauseous at random times and after I eat certain foods, no vomiting. I'm also up from 3-5:30am tossing and turning which leaves me exhausted in the morning. Anyone else feeling this so early? 

Not sure if anyone else is a teacher but I do have some questions to those who may be.
-Nervous about being in school with symptoms like this? How do you or will deal?
-When would you tell your principal? According to my own calculations, I would be do on or around May 1st and will probably be out for the remainder of the year.
-I'm a third year teacher, non-tenured. Do you think this will be frowned upon? I probably should have waited until I was secure in a job to start considering a family but I know I shouldn't be worrying about that and just be greatfeul for this gift. It does worry me though.

Any thoughts or advice is appreciated.

Congrats to all of you!!  

cmread

Hi!  Congratulations to you!

I was an elementary school teacher before I became a SAHM to my son last year.  I was very lucky to have a relatively "easy" pregnancy (no morning sickness), so I'm not sure if I will be much help to you. 

I was hungry all the time while pregnant, so I made sure to eat a substantial breakfast and pack lots of portable snacks that I could eat throughout the day whenever my students were busy working.  I also told a trusted teammate early on, and she was great about checking on me throughout the day and standing between our classrooms so that I could take bathroom breaks when necessary.

Later in my pregnancy, different people (instructional assistants and even my administrators) would come by to give me short bathroom breaks.  Once it was obvious that I was pregnant, the kids were awesome about taking care of supplies and classroom organization so that I wasn't constantly running around.

I was close with my principal and had a conversation with her right around the end of my 1st trimester.  She asked me to write a letter to the parents to inform them, and everyone was very supportive.  I know that is not always the case for teachers, so I hope it works out well for you.  Legally, they can't "punish" you for being pregnant though.  Not sure how it works in regards to tenure.  

Best of luck to you! 

JCL22

Thanks! I will def pack small light snacks for the day and thankfully I do have a paraprofessional this school year in my room. That should be a big help for bathroom runs. 

 I'll try my best to wait until the end of my 1st trimester to share the news with my principal. I really hope it all works out. I love the school and would love to come back. 

TeacherDanielle

I am a 2nd grade teacher and I am back at work. Kids start again on Tuesday. I agree with you as I have not been feeling 100% either. Drink lots of water. That helped my other pregnancies. I know I will have m/s and it is just part of pregnancy. I have a bathroom in my room so if need be I can just run do my business . I will tell soon. But I am sure she will know somethings up when my m/s is getting bad. I will most likely take the rest of the year off. I have been teaching for 6 years and there have been many teachers that are not tenured have a baby and then they still have a job. I know it is a huge worry but you will be teaching for most of the year so it is not a big deal in my book. Hope this helps!

Christinababina

Congrats!  I too had a relatively easy pregnancy with my first.  The snacks are a big help though!  I found out in Jan.  and waited until after spring break, mid April to tell my principal.  I then came back for a month in September and was out for the semester.  Everyone was really supportive too.  It was my 1st year in a new district.  So I worked half a year last year and just found out I'm pregnant with #2!  It was kind of a suprise.  I felt the same way as you all over again.  I feel like I'm such a burden and they have to get a sub, how long will I stay out, etc.  You have to reason with yourself, what is more important than that little baby growing!  It is such a miracle!  It will all work itself out and don't stress!  This is my 3rd year now at this district, but I only have 1 &1/2 years towards tenure starting this year.  I also coach softball in the spring and now I don' t know what to do about that!  Reach out to someone you can trust!  Hope this helps!

Christinababina

Ooops...I teach high school.  I run the ceramics program!

JCL22

Congrats on #2! And thanks for the info. I also coach at the high school. School buses for away games will be AWESOME this season!! haha 

You are 100% correct. This is a miracle and I can't get upset about what it will "look like" to my administration. Our teachers union rep in my building is my go to gal. Ill talk to her first about it before I even speak to my principal for options and suggestions.

Ms.MKBT

1) I am a high school teacher, and with my first, I had to take meds for nausea and vomitting.  I did for about 4 weeks until summer.  I would not have been able to leave the room, so I had to take the meds.  

2) I told my principal after my 12 week appointment, I may do it earlier this time since I'll probably show earlier.  

3) It was the end of my 1st year/beginning of my 2nd when I was pregnant.  I was out for 7weeks, two of which were Winter break.  I was told by others it may be an issue with timing, but I chose what was right for my family, not others.  I went with whatever happens happens for a reason.  When I got my BFP I  knew I would be back the next year, so that didn't worry me, and I had a docs note for my absences, so they can't let you go for that, it would have to be something related to your job that you did wrong.  

 Congrats!! 

thecuddleeffect

I am a teacher also due May 1st....also non tenured.

It's my second year teaching, I am so worried about what everyone will "say" but I have to get over that and hope for the best. My new principal is super  "family first" so I am hoping things will go over ok.I am going to try not to tell until I am like 10-13weeks

Good luck!

michelle7643

If you have a school nurse, I would talk to her (or him).  Nurses are requried to keep it confidential, and that way you can be notified if there are any illnesses in the building that could affect you.  It's more important in elementary schools, but it can be important at any level.  When you're ready to think about telling people, talk to your union rep first about the best way to talk to your principal, especially since it's your tenure year. 

 Congrats!

lumosmaxima

I'm a school social worker, and am not tenured (we are a grant funded program). I was very concerned when DH and I started TTC, about leaving my students and becoming 'replaceable'. But, I think being due in May really is great, because we don't have to miss the important beginning part of the school year or leave and then come back in the middle. 

I'm planning on telling my principal prior to Thanksgiving Break, assuming I don't have any complications what would require me to be out frequently prior to that. I kind of made it my goal to show them how dedicated to my job that I am, and how hard working I am, so that when it comes time to make decisions for the next school year, I can at least know that I worked my absolute hardest - regardless of how EXHAUSTED I am every day! 

I'm not bound in a classroom like a teacher, but am in group counseling sessions for hours back to back some days - I keep my trash can right next to the door, just in case I ever have to duck out and puke! Gross, but just knowing that I can if I have to helps. 

mrsorigami

congrats on your pregnancy!  I'm not a teacher but I wish you luck with everything!  H&H 9 months to ya!