Advice about being a college student while pregnant?

Clementine13 · July 2010

Hello! My baby is due February 13th. I am a junior in college and still finishing my degree at a University here in town. I am taking the 2011 spring semester completely off due to the baby, but I still want to take a full load this fall. I will be in the beginning of my 2nd trimester by the time the semester starts, and near the very end of the semester I'll enter in to my 3rd trimester. Does anyone have any advice about being pregnant and a full time student at the same time? Am I making a stupid decision? Will I be miserable at school? I really want to be a student this fall, but if it won't be good for me or the baby I want to make the wisest decision. I would appreciate any advice from anyone who has walked this road before. Thank you!!!

SeasideBride06 · July 2010

I think you should be fine. It is no different than working while pregnant, and most women do that.

With my first pregnancy, I worked through Friday and delivered DD on Monday. Oh, and I am a middle school teacher.

JYeagersGrl · July 2010

Don't take on too much and be aware of how long you will be sitting. The further along you get the more uncomfortable it will be to sit for long periods of time in the uncomfy college seats. With my first I was finishing up college had a high risk pregnancy and full load of college courses. My professors were very accommodating but it definitely was stressful. I sat at the seats nearest the exit cause I had to pee so much and also had extreme morning sickness that lasted the entire pregnancy so I could make a quick easy exit. The hardest part is finishing up the courses AFTER the baby comes!

AngeNAndy4106 · July 2010

I think you'll be okay. I'd take as many classes now while it's easier without a baby to have to schedule care for, etc. I mean, don't overdo it, but definitely try to do your full course load now!

Good luck!

skio · July 2010

SeasideBride06:

I think you should be fine. It is no different than working while pregnant, and most women do that.

Ditto. And most women work practically right up to their due date...you'll be off of school at least a month before you're due. I'm sure you'll be fine. Just listen to your body and take it easy when it tells you to. Talk to your doc as well if you have more concerns.

Buckets of Moonbeams · July 2010

I was a full time student with a 1 hour commute AND I worked full time. I graduated at 37 weeks!

Honestly, it was SO SO SO much easier doing all that and being pregnant than it is being pregnant and at home with a toddler. Best of luck to you!

6fsn · July 2010

I agree it's no different from working and being pg.

*BlackSheep* · July 2010

Good luck! I went back to school last year. and I am taking fall classes and due at the end of march. I am still not sure if I will take spring classes. I don't know what I am going to do!

armybride6510 · July 2010

I will be in a similar situation except I am in my senior year. I am due march 3rd and will be taking classes this fall but not in the spring. I know it might be tough but I know that my professors will be very helpful and i'm sure yours will too. good luck!

Stina4242 · July 2010

My SIL had a baby this past Feb. and was also a junior in school. She took four classes in the fall AND spring. She took online classes in the spring and told her teachers the day the semester started. She made she sure was ahead on all her work as well.

best of luck!

graykoala · July 2010

I don't have any advice from a student perspective, but I'm a professor, so I have advice from that perspective. As early on in the semester as possible (the first day or first week) talk with each of your professors to come up with a plan in case something happens and you can't attend class. If the professor isn't accommodating, you want to know that as soon as possible, not after something happens and you can't go to class. Plus, if you have a plan in place, it's a lot less stressful for you. You may even want to talk with the center on campus that deals with student disabilities (they usually also deal with medical issue) to see what they normally do in situations in which a student is pregnant and is unable to attend class. Hopefully everything will go smoothly and you'll be in great shape all the way to 40 weeks, but it's good to have a plan in place just in case (especially since school costs so much.)

bran0915 · July 2010

It's good that you will be in your second trimester. This past spring semester I had a 2 hour commute to and from school and a full load throughout my entire 1st trimester and beginning of my 2nd trimester. It was a lot but it definitely can be done.

I actually think its harder than if you were working at a job because you can't just come home and relax... you still have work to do.

Once I was done with my 1st Trimester it was definitely easier, so I think you should be ok. Good Luck!!

gwenypher7 · July 2010

That's actually a really good time to be in school - during the 2nd trimester.

I'd bring a water bottle with you everywhere you go, along with some snacks. Let your professors know you might have to take frequent restroom breaks, but otherwise try not to make a big deal of it. Try to get your reading/work done in the morning, since you will be worn out by mid-afternoon. Just pay attention to your body's cues. Also, try to see if your ob will let you set up appointments far in advance - that way you can balance everything as easily as possible. Put your ob's number in your phone asap so that you can call them wherever you need to.

Congratulations on your pregnancy and your choice to remain in school!

ljeckes · July 2010

::hopping in from TTGP::

I went to school while pg with DD & for some reason I found that I actually had better focus. Maybe because I knew that this whole thing was no longer just about me. I told my professors right away and they were very accomodating when I got huge. I say if you want to do it, do it. Just dont over do it. Good luck with your decision!

::back to TTGP for me!::

karrizma · July 2010

Clementine13:
Hello! My baby is due February 13th. I am a junior in college and still finishing my degree at a University here in town. I am taking the 2011 spring semester completely off due to the baby, but I still want to take a full load this fall. I will be in the beginning of my 2nd trimester by the time the semester starts, and near the very end of the semester I'll enter in to my 3rd trimester. Does anyone have any advice about being pregnant and a full time student at the same time? Am I making a stupid decision? Will I be miserable at school? I really want to be a student this fall, but if it won't be good for me or the baby I want to make the wisest decision. I would appreciate any advice from anyone who has walked this road before. Thank you!!!

Just wanted to let you know I'm right there with you. I'm due Feb 25th. I'm taking 16 credit hours with one class being online. I also have 30 hrs (10 for one class, 20 for another) that I have to complete in a school environment for my education classes (studying to be a teacher). I'm technically a senior but I won't graduate until probably Spring 2013. I changed schools and majors and took a break from college for a couple years while doing other things, lol.

JosiePosy · July 2010

I am a part time student and work full time. I plannin to take 8 credits this fall and possibly take the spring semester off. I haven't decided yet. We had a plan in mind, and then we found out we're havig twins! I am undecided.

JustOne · July 2010

I think that you should be fine. But I am in a simular boat as you. I am working on my MBA in Accounting, and decided that I will be taking 2 classes in the Fall. Though I plan to continue on in the Spring and take another 2 classes.

meltoine · July 2010

I used to work in the grad student advising office of a major university and we had at least 7-8 students pregnant every semester. Just make sure your professors are aware so they can help accommodate you, and listen to your body when you need a break.

LucyGoosey81 · July 2010

You'll be FINE! I agree with BoM- get as much of it done as you can before the baby comes.

I wasn't in college, but I was in grad school when I got pregnant. I managed to do a 6 week intensive summer program, do my masters project and take my comp exams. I was freaking tired, but it was sooooo worth it. First tri will be the hardest, but once you're out (which isn't too far from now!), it's really smooth sailing. I'd take a full load.

By the time Brendan was born I only had 11 credits left. I graduated when he was 8-months-old. You'll be SO proud of yourself for doing it.

Good luck!

shortstuff15 · July 2010

I was due in February 2009 (Feb 7) and had the same situation you did. I had finished 2 years of my degree and had to make the choice whether to continue or not. With the degree that I was taking and where I was taking it, it was either commit to the final 2 years or wait because it's not a program you can do online or just do the fall semester and then come back later to finish. I made the choice to not do those 2 years mainly because I was due right when mid-terms were going to be and I didn't want the stress of midterms and having a baby at the same time. I would have been fine doing the fall semester though, so I think if you can, it would be very doable in your situation.

vflipo · July 2010

I took 16 credits this past spring while working full time during the first trimester. I managed to get a 4.0. You'll be fine

MrsNiner · July 2010

I am in the same situation as you. I am due February 5th and will be taking a full course load this fall. I am even still toying with the idea of going this spring as well (I am already a few semesters behind where I should be, don't want to fall any further). If I do this, I will probably take a week off of my classes and then return. It may sound crazy, but it is an option we are considering!

chardonnay24 · July 2010

I don't have any advice, but I think you'll be fine. I work full time and I'm also taking some postbac classes part time so I can get enough credits to take the CPA exam. I'm due Feb. 6. I am planning on working 32 hours a week this fall and taking 2 classes. Then I'm taking winter term off (January - March) from school and quitting my job. I'll be taking a full course load (5 classes) but not working spring term, so I can finish up early, take the CPA exam this summer, and then I'll start working in the fall.

I'm actually looking forward to going to school rather than working. So far, I've checked into daycare options on campus, places to pump and store milk, and resources for student parents. If I were you, I'd see if your school has a student parent or women's resource center. They can likely steer you in the right direction for making school/baby work.

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