TTC while doing PGCE

[MiaWallace]

Would I be crazy to ttc during my PGCE year?

I have already been offered a PGCE place specialising in early years which will start in September.

Although I'm really excited about training to be a teacher I'm also extremely broody.

At the moment I am considering ttc after Christmas so even if I got pregnant straight away I would have completed the PGCE before I got to the last stages of the pregnancy.

I'm constantly being told how much work is required for the PGCE and I had really bad morning sickness in the first trimester with DD.

I have already considered postponing doing my PGCE but the university said I can't defer my place. It is one of the best PGCE providers in the country so really don't want to give up the opportunity.

How realistic is it for me to do the PGCE while pregnant?

It was the toughest year of my life, and I was 24 and not pregnant .

It's up to you, jobs can always fit around life IYSWIM, but I cannot advise you to TTC. If it happens, you'll cope, but I would not want to be pg and do the PGCE at the same time. No siree.

Thanks for the advice tethersend.

Suppose it's a case of wanting it all. Need to learn to make sacrifices.

I am currently doing a flexi PGCE (12 month route) and am on my own with my ds - it is hard but do-able so far...! I guess it would depend on your support network, as you would also have the nqt year to consider after the PGCE. I know of one teacher who was doing the same course as me and became pregnant, and she was able to take some time out and come back to the course (due to it being a flexi I think). She managed but also has a supportive partner and good childminder .

Good luck whatever you decide!

Thanks fluffybubble.

Support network is defiantly an issue. Neither DPs family or mine live close.

Think I need to decide on one or the other. Doesn't seem practicable to do both

Hello Miawallace. Just like you I have a place on a pgce course that starts in september but would love to have my 3rd child around the end of my course - June the following year, to be precise. I have been looking for someone in the same situation. How did u get on? What did u do in the end? Can i be pregnant at the start of my course in september with a plan to deliver once the course finishes in june. Is it do-able. Why do people need to defer if the baby will be born after the course finishes. Can heavily pregnant women not be in the classroom? Please I need some advice soon. Can any one help? Please!!!

What would happen for your NQT year?

giggles123, I got pregnant in the September I started a full-time MA & had my baby in the June. I did end up deferring some things, but for reasons unrelated to the pregnancy. I sat an exam two days before my due-date. Had to make frequent toilet breaks! But I think a PGCE might be more physically demanding than a library based MA - for example if you developed SPD & couldn't get down to the kids' level in the classroom.

I have just completed the university section of the PGCE. I have one 11 week placement before I qualify.

I am now so glad that I have waited to ttc. The PGCE is extremely hard work and I don't think I would have got through it pregnant.

I have also had such a fantastic experience studying for the PGCE that it has been worth waiting for a baby. Although I'm still broody I have decided to wait until I have a permanent job (and some maternity entitlement) before ttc.

O.k Mia Wallace, thank you very much for the advice. I think I'll wait to do it right just like you did. It makes sense to wait till I'm permanently employed to get some maternity pay and leave. I feel so broody and this makes me quite sad. I guess thats just how the cookie crumbles. I just have to wait. Thank you all very much.