To contemplate active studying and possible pregnancy at the same time?

[daydream123]

Considering a Teaching Assistant course starting in September. Also hoping to TTC in September. Reached the point where I don't want to wait any longer.

This would involve fairly active work in schools up until the end of any possible pregnancy. Am I mad to contemplate this?

For context, currently won't have a job to go back to after maternity and urgently need to change career. Also aware I may not get pregnant immediately, but have had some health issues and trying to be optimistic.

Just realised I may be inadvertently drip feeding, so to be upfront, the reason why I need to change career urgently is because I had a breakdown. In a stopgap job but can't do this long term.

I would get settled in the job before TTC. You also need to consider maternity leave, you won’t be entitled to pay unless you have been working there for at least 26 weeks by week 25 of your pregnancy. In other words almost a year.

I teach and it is not an easy job. I have done it whilst pregnant and with all day nausea, it’s a nightmare.

Everything is doable and you'll only know if you try because no one can advise on how quickly you will get pregnant or how rough you will feel.

Lots of people will say, go for it and lots will tell you they felt so ill during pregnancy that they never could have managed it.

It could also take ages to conceive and then you've put off a plan 'just in case'.

I think you'll be hard pressed to make a decision based on our views so go with your gut!

Thanks Outsho, it's exactly that experience of being on your feet all day when nautious that I'm worried about.

It's not a job at this point, just a course, but it involves volunteering in schools. I'll be on maternity allowance with my current role anyway.

The idea of not knowing what to do to bring money in once my maternity allowance runs out fills me with absolute dread. I won't need to bring in a full time wage, but I'm not qualified to do anything that interests me at the moment. It feels like I should act now to at least move towards changing career, but I really don't want to wait to TTC.

What job is easy to do with all day nausea/ vomiting though? I’m yet to find one. I’ve been though pregnancies working outside of the house and as a SAHM with little ones. Neither is great. If this is your main concern I’d just go for it.

How long since your breakdown? How recovered are you?

You're contemplating a lot of very stressful activities all at the same time here.

Very valid point, Pleatherandlace!

Table - it was late last year, mainly in relation to work and working conditions, to be honest. Had a large chunk of time off work and doing a lot better. My doctor is aware of my plans to TTC and I'll have specialist support on hand if I need it. It's not ideal timing but I have a few infertility red flags after hospital treatment a couple of years ago. It's the first time I've felt stable enough since then to actually pursue it.

Studying/career change could wait, but may create a problem for me further down the line. I need to weigh this up.

So you would start the course and potentially have to leave before the end? Have I got that right?

I don't know if I'd do that to be honest. I'd probably delay TTC for 3/4 months so that I could at least get the qualification. Otherwise it could be wasted time if you don't go back to it, and that's a space on the course that will be left unfulfilled

Audacity - I should be able to finish the course, all being well.

Well I say go for it then

As if you were waiting for the blessing of an internet random

I'm far too easily influenced :D.

Since I stopped having counselling, I do find it really helpful sounding things out with others though. Thanks to everyone who has replied.

Where there's a will there's a way!! Go for it - if you get pregnant quickly you should have the support of both your training provider and the school you're volunteering in. There might be times when it's not easy but with a bit of juggling you'll get there. If I were you I'd get to grips with the course in the early days and really see what's expected of you and try to box as much of it off when you're able to so that if you hit upon a rough patch you have a bit of leeway to slow down and take it a bit easier.

I'm a professional (stressful job, long hours, highly demanding), and I'm doing a masters degree. I work 7.30am-8.30pm most days.
I worked full time in my first pregnancy, and 4 days a week in my second (with a toddler to look after). Plus was studying on top for both my masters and doing professional exams.

It's definitely do-able! So I wouldn't rule it out if it's something you really want to do.

I'm a teacher and work full time while pregnant and also studying and also looking after my other kids (and did during my last pregnancy too). It's totally doable, unless you have any health issues or complications. In my experience the first trimester will be a bit tough morning sickness-wise (unless you don't suffer from it) - I felt nauseous and fed up but perked up at some point throughout each day and was fine. Seconds semester is an absolute breeze, I actually had and have more energy than when no pregnant! Didn't love the third trimester but I found keeping physically and mentally active and working helped take my mind off any potential nerves about the birth and just gave me a general sense of achievement which just made me feel happy and proud of myself. So I'm doing it again for those reasons.

• second trimester, not semester. Sorry - autocorrect!