Pregnancy and university

[beebeebruce]

Hi all,

I’m new to this so please, bare with me!

I’m a 30 year old “mature student” entering my final year of university in September 2018. My partner and I are both really keen to become parents, sooner rather than later.

I plan to graduate in June 2019 and go on to complete a PGCE in order to teach at primary school.

Would it be crazy to consider trying to conceive whilst in my final year of university? I don’t want to leave starting a family until I’m in a secure job, as realistically that could be in 3 or 4 years time! I’ve thought about time scales and things, trying to plan to give birth after I’ve graduated, in the summer break between graduating and beginning my PGCE. Or deferring my PGCE for a year to spend time with the baby. Obviously, I know nothing goes to plan so I’m pretty open minded about that!

I’d appreciate everyone’s thoughts and ideas, positive or negative!

Thank you 🙂
B x

Assuming you’re not married and/or independently wealthy it’d be sensible IMO not to have DC until you’ve secured a permanent job. And to return to work after mat leave.

Otherwise it will be more difficult to find/keep paid work, especially if your relationship ends.

Do you attend a university or do you do an Open University course online or similar? Because I'm one year into an open uni course and we were ttc long before that started. First year finishes tomorrow and I'm 7weeks pregnant so will be continuing my course, working full time (bar maternity leave) and be pregnant/with baby for next few years. I study part time though so is reasonable for me. I feel confident about it now with my brace face on but definitely am hesitant!! Come back to me this time next year!

My experience - I was 2 months into a one-year MA when I found out I was having DS (I was 28). I managed the workload fine, including an 8-week full time work placement which I’d completed by the time I was 36 weeks pregnant. However, I didn’t manage to get my dissertation handed in until the following year so I didn’t get to graduate with my course-mates (I’d made a lovely group of friends so I was a bit sad about this), and my dissertation wasn’t as good as I wanted it to be as I was so tired when I finally finished it (DS was 8 months then, and not a good sleeper). But, I managed to get my MA with distinction, and a lovely letter of commendation from the university so it did all work out in the end!

Good luck with what you decide