Continuing Education while Pregnant...

[Biokid87]

Just recently while working with my co-workers we were having a discussion/debate about abortion and dealing with unexpected/unwanted pregnancies.

One of my co-workers (who was pro-choice) had made a statement that if a young women, who was going through high school/college became pregnant, she would have to pause her entire education throughout the entire nine months of the pregnancy. The mother would be too ill or physically/mentally fatigue to continue her education during which in turn would negatively impact the mother/her future/career potential.

I don't at all intend this to be an 'abortion debate' or 'pro-choice bashing' thread, but merely just want to ask (more like reassure) if it is possible to continue your education during pregnancy?

Your comments, explanations, and/or answers would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

[InTheFlame]

Wellllll... I think that depends on:
- the age of the mother (the younger you are, generally the better your body copes with pregnancy)
- the pregnancy itself (effects differ wildly from person to person, even between pregnancies for one person)
- the intensity/difficulty of the course.

I'm holding down a very intellectual job while pregnant, through morning sickness, tiredness, etc. I'm doing 8-9 hours work a day. Most women who're working when they get pregnant continue to work until 34-36 weeks. I figure a lot of students would be able to keep up with their course with that sort of study time per day.

 

[seamonster]

No, you don't *have* to stop your education. She's probably the type of person that thinks you also shouldn't work while going to college. Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but some of us didn't get a choice there.

My first 2 1/2 years of college I worked full time while taking a full class load (15-17 credits), and this is my first semester without working full-time.

As it turns out, I'm pregnant. I'll be a senior in the spring, and my baby is due over spring break.

I'm taking a full class load this fall, which, being so far along in my education, I don't get to take any "easy" courses. During the spring, since I'll be having the baby, I am going to try to take all of my classes online, but I'll still be taking 12-15 hours.

It can be done. I just know that for me, if I'm not in school, I tend to get bored really easily and I can't think of any worse way to spend my last 2 months of pregnancy than moping around the house and sitting at the computer.

So yes, it can be done. Several of my girlfriends have also had babies while in school and kept their grades up. None of them worked and had the baby during school, though.

 

[GolfingMom]

I went to school, High School and college, with quite a few pregnant ladies. They seemed fine to me. One lady in my Eng. literature class was due during finals. She was in class ALL the time and took the final on time. Her baby was late

 

[RoseofLima]

I was pregnant twice while I was pregnant (both babies I gave up for adoption). The new semester started the day I went into labor with my first. My labor was mild, just cramping- and so I went to all of my classes and spoke to all of my professors, told them hem what was going on and asked if I could have the first week or of assignments to do at home. They were all more than willing--and I got A's in each of my classes that semester. In fact I got only one grade lower than an A- the emtire year. I also worked full time.

Interestingly- through all of my now eight pregnancies- that one- was the one where I was MOST sick, for the the entire pregnancy. I'd throw up almost every morning on the way to class...

 

[Leanna]

That's silly, I'm in college. In fact, at this very moment I am writing an Economics paper (can you tell the web is distracting me???) This fall I will keep going too, and I'll probably take one class in the spring, but its not being pregnant that concerns me its having a newborn.

 

[sioleabha]

I'm only taking care of 5 kids and TEACHING school for 2 of them while pregnant.

 

[ufonium2]

I got pregnant in September of my last year of doctoral school, so I was pregnant the entire school year. I took 15 hours (full-time for grad school is nine) and taught two classes at the same time. Your co-worker has either never been pregnant or never been to college, if she thinks you can't do both at the same time.

 

[jgonz]

I was in college while pregnant with my first. I had already gotten through the 1st trimester before the semester started, so it was Easy (except that I just could Not get to a really early class). Then I had the summer off, and gave birth Sept. 3rd (so no school that fall).

I knew Lots of girls that were pregnant and taking classes... Just like later on I knew a Lot of women who worked right up until they went into labor.

IMO, it totally depends on how you're handling pregnancy, and the specifics of that particular pregnancy. Most women do fine with working or going to school while pregnant though.

 

[sioleabha]

You know, being pregnant just doesn't affect my life so much. It certainly wouldn't require me to quit school or work. With my first, I quit my job AFTER my son was born because I wanted to be home with him.

I know some women have really hard pregnancies. Maybe your co-worker knew someone like that and didn't realize it was abnormal? Like my husband's first wife, she was bed-ridden for much of either one or both of her first two pregnancies due to hyperemesis. DH had to come home and actually change her IV every day at lunch she was so bad. But that is not normal. Most women just keep living their lives.

For me being pregnant means:

* I MIGHT have morning sickness and/or heartburn. My morning sickness can usually be controlled by eating on a regular basis.

* I can't eat raw sushi (but I still eat the cooked stuff!)

* I get tired a LITTLE easier.

* At the end I don't like to climb stairs.

None of which would prevent me going to school.

Honestly, most of the time I don't think about the fact that I am pregnant unless the baby kicks or someone asks when I am due.