No Money but pregnant

[saraht89]

Hi there,

Im in my early 20s a second year student living in London. I found out i was pregnant a couple of weeks ago and I am now 2 months pregnant. I have no savings and can just about pay the rent. My partner hasnt got a job, he is looking but no success so far. I have been applying and thought mayb I can work up until Im due in a office role and then go back to work maybe a month or two after the babys born and move to out skirts of London for cheaper rent. I feel like im in such a mess, I dont no what to do I have no family to help support and I dont believe in adoption or abortion.

Could anyone give any advice?

Hi, just wanted to reply with hopefully a few helpful bits and pieces. Having a baby is hard work and costly at the best of times but there are lots of ways to cut corners. If you can work before hand then you will be able to claim some smp ( look at the dwp website)
You may also qualify for some of the hardship funds that your University may offer. Once your baby is here you will be eligible for child benefit which I think is approx. £20 week for your first child. Use websites like preloved/netmums/free cycle to get as much of your baby stuff for free as possible, carboots are a good source of very cheap baby gear. You don't need lots of things for a baby, but most you can find for free. Supermarket nappies are often as good or better than leading brands and breast feeding is free, easy and cuts out huge formula costs, if you want to. Good luck, enjoy your pregnancy and your baby!

Don't panic and 'congratulations'. There is a lot of help available if you have no income and this Online Benefits Calculator isn't a bad place to start. The Job Centre staff can help your partner. If you are a student there is potentially additional financial help available which you can access via your Student Union or Student Services.

Many thanks to you both...there are afew Ideas i didnt think of so il be doin some research into that.. thank u :)

Could you ask your university if you could see a counsellor. Vtherecshouldcbe some help for you where you are studying and some support.cgoodcluck

Thats tru Iv seen afew posters in the student assistance room...cheers!

Hi Sarah, I just wanted to send my best of luck to you too :). And to add: pl don't put yourself under massive pressure to work a month after the baby arrives, although you can certainly work up to the due date - and then hopefully get the smp after the baby is here. Best of luck with getting help from your univ too. There is support out there for students - and university creches tend to be good too. With luck, you can continue your studies and stay within a supportive network. ALL BEST to you!

Just to add, I was a 19 year old student when I was pregnant with my first! Do you or your DP have family around you?? I'm sure they will pitch in! You can also apply for the maternity grant with your first baby, you can get a form from your local job centre and get your midwife to stamp it and send it off, you can apply for that at 27 weeks gone!

Get yourself to the local job centre and get your DP to apply for whatever he can get at the moment and you may even be eligable for some housing benefit! If you don't ask you don't get!!

I'm sure friends/family will help out too with baby clothes etc, ask around and you may even be able to find friends of friends who have things they don't want/need any more!!

Good luck and congratulations