due to give birth a month before my third year at uni starts, any advice???

[nervousyoungmum]

Has anyone actually completed third year at uni with newborn baby? I can't defer a year as it is not an option with my course. I am on track for a 1st in my degree but just found out I am pregnant, I not want to blame my child for causing me to loose out on my degree, but I am worried I would feel this way.

Yes I have!! So I am living proof that you can do it. I got pregnant in my second year, had summer hols as maternity leave and re-started the third year. The degree included full time placements. Don't give up. Speak to uni as soon as possible. Mine were helpful on most things. Would not let me take my ds into law exams (he was only 12 weeks old and was worried about bf) but apart from that they really helped. He was my 4th. As long as you have drive and support it amazing how much you can achieve!!

I started a PhD with a newborn baby, not quite the same thing obviously but I would advise you to agree with someone already, like your parents, about helping you out. My dad lent me money so I could have a nanny two days a week which helped me do the required practical courses I had to do (like doing a masters really). I also had lots of help from dp which obviously is helpful. Then when my dd was a little older (though still a baby) I put her in the uni nursery. There are bursaries and subsidies for student parents but not all unis have nurseries on campus. If there are nurseries on campus spaces are normally like gold dust so get your name down immediately (staff gets spaces too you see and there will be more student parents around than you think). Like Splipperandpjsmum said its best to also start talking to student services and your tutor. Otherwise I'd advise you to stay focussed and keep positive - you can and will cope!

If you have plenty of practical help and a lot of drive, and a calm baby, I bet you can do it. Will be very hard but worthwhile in the end.

just tie it to a leash put some food and water down and itl all work out

my exact position! i'm due on the 4th of august, what uni are you at?

I saw a young woman, heavily pregnant at my Uni. I think that is inspirational - having a baby and doing a degree. So good luck! and babies have a way of making things work for the best.

I had a baby in my first year and another in my third year, gave birth in december, wrote my dissertation with her on my lap, did finals in may and managed a 2:1. I actually think student life and motherhood very compatible. U can do it!

GAH! not the thread i should have read. I have in the past few weeks have had a REAL strong urge to have another baby. I'm just about to finish 1st year at uni and have a 19 month old DD. I'm genuinely considering planning to fall pregnant in September, be pregnant through second year, have the summer off to recuperate and then go back and do 3rd year. If my dates work well i can't see any major problems as when i was pregnant with DD i was working full time and studying part time with OU. I had hyperemis and a few other problems but i coped and did well in my studies even though my final assignment was due 4 weeks after i had DD.

will nothing shake the broodiness?

don't quit. A degree will open up many more opportunities for you and your child in the future.

Pls talk to your personal tutor. deferral may not normally be offered, but a baby isn't like having a bad year and wanting to dodge the exams.

Another option might be to transfer to a uni closer to your support network (i.e. Your parents or your dp parents). Not ideal in y3, but maybe an option.

If you really can't defer, don't be proud to ask help. Consider this as an investment.

I have a 4yr old and completed 2 full time courses at college when he was 6months old, I'm currently in my second year at uni and just had a baby 6weeks ago, my uni are brilliant I go in when needed ime lectures/seminars/tutorials and had my first one 4days after giving birth, my husband works in the army and have done it all on my owm as he's only home 3days a month, there is so much help out there especially with nureseries and with my oldest received an extra 10,000 a year in grants and bursaries for childcare and for being a parent to help out

Sorry for the rant

Wow - I am so pleased to read this thread! I am in yr 1 of a 2 yr MA. my 1st baby is due on the same day I'm due back at uni for my final yr! I'm planning on taking around 2 weeks off from lectures and then going back in. I start on placement which is around 4 days per week in November, so it'll be like going back to work! This lasts until may when I'll be doing the dissertation, which I can picture like cherrypez will be with babe on lap too. It's so helpful to know its possible, my uni think I'm bonkers for not taking a year out, but it isn't really ideal for us personally.

Boyfriend will be looking after baby in the day - any practical tips re breastfeeding etc? Thank you!

getagoldtoof, I was really lucky that my babywas born just b4 xmas hols but I still had to go back to lectures when she was 5 weeks...felt so selfish and horrible but she loved nursery and I'm so glad I didnt take a yr out

Yes, I'm scared of the guilt, and worried it'll be really hard. Wish I'd got pregnant 1 month earlier, so I could use my summer as maternity leave, but even so, am very excited and just can't wait really. I know I shouldn't care, but I hope people are not judgemental. Cherry did you find anyone saying anything to you about going back so soon?

i sensed a little disapproval from nursery..."oh this is the youngest baby we've ever had" etc etc, but noone said anything negative at all, and if your bf is going to be looking after baby I don't see why anyone should have an issue? Guilt is part of motherhood lol, I have worked throughout the 14 years I've been a mother except for the three years I was at uni, and can honestly say that 3 years was a picnic compared to working.(However I did a lovely English Lit degree, if you are doing biophysics or something this may not apply!) I start my PGCE in September and people think thats insane with 7 kids! With regards to breastfeeding I am still feeding my baby now (just the ! feed before bed) and she is 16 months, I expressed what I could and if she had the odd bottle of formula while at nursery I didnt sweat over it as she was bf full time other than that, it can be done I promise.

Well I think you are amazing Cherry and with 7 kids too - I'm impressed and inspired. From reading your post I reckon 1 will be easy...! I am doing social work which requires full time placement, but with a low caseload etc, so not super full on so will have to wait and see. Thanks for your advice and good luck with your pgce!