Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Has anyone done a degree while pregnant/ with a baby?

27 replies

ButterYellowHair · 20/04/2026 11:24

Hello everyone, I wanted to query this because my life has developed in such a way that I am now 30 and finishing my first year of a 4 year degree (retraining, I am passionate at the subject). I’m married and we would like two children, preferably before I am 35 but we’re ok if the second is a touch beyond that.

As you can tell… that would mean I need to get pregnant and have the baby during my degree.

Now, I have done two degrees before - I know I can complete the degree under normal circs (current grade 86%). However, I have never had a baby or been pregnant. So I have no idea the extent to which this will make it harder and I wanted to hear the experiences of those who had done it. Am I insane to consider getting pregnant part way through my second year?

Furtner notes:
1 My degree is healthcare, so there are two semesters of lectures and 13 weeks of placement each year.
2 I do not need to work outside of the degree if I do not wish, but if I don’t do so while pregnant then I will not get maternity allowance.
3 I would defer one year after giving birth as ‘mat leave’ so would be pregnant or have a 1 year old during the degree. The newborn stage I wouldn’t be doing it.
4 My course allows me to leave part way through the year and return at that same stage the next year.
5 I am self funding so don’t need to worry about SFE.

OP posts:
MeganM3 · 20/04/2026 14:57

ButterYellowHair · 20/04/2026 14:27

I mean it’s definitely difficult. Lots of biochemistry, anatomy, disease pathology etc 😂 My husband is supportive. No wider family support as my family live hours away and his are elderly.

Edited

Fair. You have multiple degrees behind you so it will be manageable. A shame your family are far away. Hopefully you’ll have some support from other sources.
I am reminded of my friend who fell pregnant when we were at Uni together and had the baby 2 weeks before her final exams. I remember her having sore breasts afterwards and her mum waiting outside the building with the baby. She did very well and achieved a 2:1. She is now a busy Psychiatrist (with a pre teen son).
All the best of luck to you.

ButterYellowHair · 20/04/2026 15:03

MeganM3 · 20/04/2026 14:57

Fair. You have multiple degrees behind you so it will be manageable. A shame your family are far away. Hopefully you’ll have some support from other sources.
I am reminded of my friend who fell pregnant when we were at Uni together and had the baby 2 weeks before her final exams. I remember her having sore breasts afterwards and her mum waiting outside the building with the baby. She did very well and achieved a 2:1. She is now a busy Psychiatrist (with a pre teen son).
All the best of luck to you.

Thank you, she sounds like a force to be reckoned with. I hope you’re right that I’m the same. I have a friend who is like family and her mum treats me like a daughter. I know they would support me in an emergency. Fingers crossed it is enough.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread