Pregnancy and college?

Question

I am currently in college and my husband and I would like to start trying for a baby soon (within 6 months). Can anyone share their personal experiences of attending college while pregnant, and also continuing your education after your child was born? If you had to do it over would you change anything?

Answer 1

With college, I hadn't started before I had kids, but I am at uni now, with 2 kids aged 2 and 4.

Talk to someone at your college and ask if it is parent friendly, would be the best start. Find out if the have a daycare, on campus, and if they allow extensions on assignments if your child is sick...that sort of thing. You will find nowadays that most of the are.

Having a newborn at college isn't as hard as you might first think...make sure you aren't studying for about the first six weeks when the baby is born (getting used to sleep deprivation, and their first immunisation is at 6 weeks). Other than that, you can put the baby in a baby sling, which allows you to have arms free, breast feed privately (trust me no one can see), and nurse your baby, during lectures. You will have to talk to tutorial teachers and see if they allow them there, but if they don't make the most of their daycare facilities, there are set up so you can go and spend time with the baby between classes.

For my two, I started off part time, because I wanted to get used to studying before I leapt into full time. I also wanted to judge how they would handle it. To be honest, the children are really excited that I go to schoo, and it has made them even more keen to learn.

When my four year old started kindy this year (at primary/grade school) he was fine, because he kept saying that he went to school like Mum.

If I had to do it over, I wouldn't change a thing. Go right ahead. My best advice is to prepare yourself in thinking that you may not finish the course when you first expected to, but you will finish it.

Answer 2

why the rush? College is hard enough to do, let alone being pregnant or having a child. Your baby will deserve all the attention you can give. School will take up a lot of your time and energy. I am a full time college student (possibly pregnent, not planned) but I will be graduating in May and the baby wouldn't be due until July. I study so much and so much of my time is spent at school that i couldn't imagine doing this, working part time AND being a parent. You are asking for advice so my advice is to hold off until you are finished with college and then have a baby. It'll be so much easier and give you more time to devote to your baby, but ultimately, its your choice.Good Luck with whatever you decide to do.

Answer 3

I was away at college when I found out I was pregnant the first time. I decided to move back to my hometown to be closer to my family and take classes at the alternate campus. I was never sick or anything and worked hard to get things done before the baby arrived. After I had the baby I took my finals(she was born in April) and planned on going back the next fall. I never made it back because I had to work full time to afford child care and pay the house payment, etc. My mom came home from Germany after my daughter was a year and a half old and she took over watching her. I went back to school the following spring. It's very difficult to balance school and family after your child is older because they want your undivided attention. I still worked full time and was living on my own with my fiance and trying to go to school. It's been very difficult, but I'm almost done with my nursing degree. The most difficult part is trying to find time for homework and play time with my daughter. I'm also now pregnant with baby number two and have been very sick so that doesn't help with everything. I wouldn't change anything about my children but I wish I had finished my degree before I had children so that I'd be better suited to care for them.

Answer 4

I am 37 weeks pregnant, with also a 3 1/2 yr old, and enrolled in full time school. I live alone and I have family like 20 to 30 minutes away. I am not employed at the moment because I am so far in my pregnancy, but I am still in school. It is hard, but not as hard as everyone puts it. I am 20 years old, and have to to get my life started some way somehow. So I have to do it. I am due around finals, and I go back to school january 8th, with a new born and a 3 year old. It is possible to do. It will be ok. Its not as hard as everyone puts it. Also, see if the college provides online courses. That will be easier for you because you won't have to find a babysitter, but you will have to discipline yourself more with your studies, and make sure you do them, and make sure you put enough time to your classes. But I take a few classes on line and it is easier, but if I do ever have any questions, I have to email them, and if its too hard to explain over the internet they will tell you to come in, and talk with them so they can show you what to do, or they will tell you to go in and get help from a tutor. But if it has to be done, you will do it, and it won't seem that hard. It will be ok. You have your husband there to help you, and if you have enough drive for school and to be a mom, it'll get done.

Answer 5

I've been pregnant & in college 2x.
Going to school isn't hard. maybe soem moring sickness. Its going back after the kid is born. Good child care is tough to find.. and i don't want my kids in even the best center. My mother in law is keeping my kids every morning so i can finish my degree now. Next semseter 2 of my courses will be web & i will only go on tuesday and thrusday. Then I"m done.

Plan on finsihing your courses before the baby is born. & plan on staying home w/ baby for at least 3 mo.
Nurse if you can. Its hard for the first 4-5 weeks but then it is so easy. (sorry breastfeeding advocate. have to say that)

Answer 6

My son was older (16 mos) when I started back to college. It was hard, but it was wroth it. I wouldn't change my past because then I wouldn't have my son. It would have been easier if I had gone to college straight from high school and as single, child free person. My advice. If you have the choice to wait, wait. Children are wonderful, having an education is wonderful. Obtaining both at the same time, is stressful!! Just my two cents. Hope that helps.

Answer 7

Well I don't have personal experience yet but I am also in college and there is a chance I might be pregnant right now. I can't tell you how excited I am about this...I know that it will be hard but I wouldn't take it back if I had the choice. Several people do it and I think that it is your own personal preference. if you want you will know and you will make the right decision. Good luck

Answer 8

I'm not in college nor pregnant but i know a lot of people who had to drop out of college n even high school becuase of a baby. it is all up to you but just think that is going to be very hard to study attend college and still have time for the baby. you might get stressed and the baby deserves to have parents near him/her all the time. just think about it carefully.

Answer 9

My daughter is a full time college student, works full time & just had a baby Oct 6. She was lucky that she could schedule to take her classes online this quarter so she didn't have to go to class towards the end of her pregnancy. That may be something you could consider. Good luck!

Answer 10

I just had my second child 3 weeks ago and I'm enrolled in college. But I can also do my schooling on line so it may be a bit different. It wasn't hard though and now I just do my school work when he is sleeping so I don't get far behind.