Anyone else pregnant and trying to finish a degree?

LaurBean · January 2015

Because we are both 37, my partner & I were trying to get pregnant. But meanwhile, I also started a law degree in fall 2014; my exams are in May and my due date is Sept. So far I haven't had any bad symptoms, sleepiness, moodiness and cravings, but otherwise so far so good. I plan on finishing this semester before or bundle of joy is born. But I am nervous about how things will progress ahead of the first exam.

This is my first pregnancy, so I don't know what to expect. I have read stories that pregnant women have been so motivated by their pregnancies that they accomplished a great many things while pregnant. I hope this applies to me come May. Looking ok so far.

Anyone else out there in a similar situation?

marijaa333 · January 2015

I'm five days away from handing in my phd; it's been hard but not impossible.

As @hikerlady says, the first tri is really hard but the second is much better. Once the baby comes, my guess is that you'll have to figure out childcare arrangements that let you have some time to focus on your studies.

You can do it!

mum2lanabelliz · January 2015

Congra! I'm not finishing a degree now. But when I was pg with my 8yo I was finishing my masters. It was a bit more challenging, but I came through it without any problems. My professors were very understanding and helpful. I was put on bed rest for part of it and they really worked with me. Good luck! And before you know it your classes and exams will be done and your sweet lo will be here.

jessyluscious77 · January 2015

Hello!
I'm also 37. I'm competing my BS full time at Drexel University, I work about 27 hours/week and I have a 14 year old. I'm currently 10w4d. My husband and I were trying as well because if our ages. We have had multiple losses over the last few years and figured this was probably our last attempt.

Juggling everything is tough, but, not impossible. I'm worried because I am supposed to start a 6 month co-op internship next quarter (April-August). I will be well into my second trimester by then and the co-op is supposed to continue several weeks beyond my due date (8/5/15)! No idea what I'm doing about that yet!

LaurBean · January 2015

You ladies are seriously motivating me! Good to know there are so many tough, hard - working mom's out there making their dreams happen. A few of my family members said I should maybe quit or postpone the exam, but I see no reason if I prepare enough.

I really appreciate all the good advice. Thank you guys so much.

Off to study now!

gamgirl7 · January 2015

I have one more class to complete then I am done with my BA. Hopefully I can finish it now and not have to wait. I've been working on and off for a long time to finish!

LaurBean · January 2015

Wow - Good luck, but just one more class, looks like you don't need luck. You're gonna do it!

gamgirl7 · January 2015

LaurBean said:

Wow - Good luck, but just one more class, looks like you don't need luck. You're gonna do it!

Thanks so much! I'm ready to be done because grad school is next!

deladie · January 2015

My first child was born 18 years ago while I was completing my BS at Drexel University. I took a year off after she was born then went part-time while I worked and raised her. Then I completed my MPH at Drexel and moved to the DC area.

I found out I was pregnant in the last semester of my MBA at GW. All I can say is those last classes and finals were tough because I was soooo tired but I made it.

In each case the fatigue was the worst part but otherwise things were quite managable. I think school is harder when you are parenting the little one. Either way good luck to you and your partner.

niknak1208 · January 2015

I think it helps that it's your first child. I have a 6 yr old, 2 yr old, work full time, and am studying for my PHR. It's hard but really the first trimester is the worst. The 3rd you're just uncomfortable but typically you feel ok. The 2nd trimester is known for being the best because you're not big enough yet that you're super uncomfortable and usually by then any symptoms you had during the first trimester have kind of resolved. I think my biggest struggle is that I can't take time to rest because I have 2 kids to care for so it's not like it was during my first pregnancy where I could take a break if I needed a break. lol But it's definitely not impossible.

teapotter77 · January 2015

I am in nursing school right now and 19 weeks prego w my second. I decided to go back to school last summer and won't complete my BSN for 2.5 more years. Thankfully my husband is very supportive and we just want to make this work. I'm scared about next fall, going back to school w a 6-7 week old infant but we will do our best. Im also 37. Best of luck to you! My husband told me there were several women in law school with him who had babies (some were single) and were able to make it work.

hlb8179 · January 2015

I'm glad you mentioned this struggle. I'm an assistant principal with a year left of night school until I have my doctorate. I'm nervous how it will play out especially once the baby is born. So far my best strategy is to build a little time into each day for my grad school work. I get to work an hour early each morning and just write or study. That feels more manageable than a bunch of time at once. Plus it is more effective if I get out of the house. And if I oversleep one day that's okay too. Good luck!

MsVox · January 2015

Yes, me! I've just turned 37 and am 7 weeks pregnant of our first. I'm working on finishing up my MSc degree; finished all my classes last semester and am now working on my thesis research project. I've done most of the fieldwork already apart from some interviews so I "just" have a few months of crunching results and writing writing writing left. Next to university I do volunteerwork, but am planning to put that on the backburner for a while maybe as I'm feeling quite overwhelmed at times.

I know I can combine it with the pregnancy, and that it all will work out, but sometimes it feels a bit like a lost cause. I had it all planned out in my head and thought I'd be able to finish up my thesis by the end of February but am finding it very hard to concentrate at the moment. It's like these past weeks I've got zero done.. I've spent hours with my nose in my paperwork but nothing seems to be happening. I'm just soooo tired and my head is all over the place and it's hard to keep focussed and think. It doesn't help that my husband currently is home on sickleave from work due to a burn-out which adds a bit of stress and worry (but that's okay, he's my sweetie and I want him to be well!) but mainly makes it hard to find quiet time to study.

Though I really do think that it's mainly the fact that I'm so extremely tired and my memory is like a sieve and I can't concentrate properly which is making me feel so incompetent when it comes to my studies. I try not to worry.. there's plenty of time to finish my thesis before the baby comes (final deadline for hand in would be late June so that's 2,5 months before I'm due) and even though currently I'm not getting much work done I hope that once I enter the second trimester I'll be feeling more energized and will be able to catch up and finish.

I'm so glad I found this thread... I know I can do it - we all can do it - but it's rough at times and it'll be nice to have some support from girls who really knów what it's like:)

menta84 · February 2015

I'm 24 weeks pregnant; I plan on applying to law school this September

I won't be pregnant anymore when classes start next year but I'll have a one year old. I think everything is possible if you really set your mind to achieve your goals. A lot of people around me are hesitant that I will go through with it now that I have a baby on the way and honestly, their disbelief motivates me even more. Good luck to you ladies with your careers, I admire people like you!

akanini · February 2015

I'm 18 weeks pregnant with my 2nd child and I'm completing my Masters of Science in Nursing degree. I'm tired all the time and just hoping to get these last 11 weeks of class over with.

MsVox · February 2015

akanini said:

I'm 18 weeks pregnant with my 2nd child and I'm completing my Masters of Science in Nursing degree. I'm tired all the time and just hoping to get these last 11 weeks of class over with.

I finished my last classes just before the Christmas holiday, and secretly I'm relieved cause I honestly don't know how I would have combined classes with this incredible 1st trimester fatigue I'm experiencing (in hopes that calling it 1st trimester fatigue it will actually take a hike around week 13 so I can get back to feeling more energetic and get my work done heh). Right now I do get behind on my thesis research / writing schedule but at least I can rest when my body tells me to and I'm so so glad about that. Good luck Akanini on finishing those last weeks of classes!!

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