Studying during pregnancy

[lilly40]

Hi

I'm 26 weeks pregnant, 40 years old, and currently studying an advanced diploma. I attend college/uni one full day a week, from 10am until 6pm, and have to write a weekly journal, attend placements and write assignments. I am due on 1st June, and am wondering how much longer I'll be able to continue with my studying. I've been studying for 3 1/2 years and am 2 assignments away from completing.

On the day I go in I find myself becoming absolutely exhausted. The chairs are extremely un-comfortable and my coccyx starts to hurt halfway through the day. In turn I feel moody, stressed and find myself snapping at my fellow students. This is awful, and I really embarrassed myself by snapping at another student last week.

I've been told I have to attend all parts of the day otherwise I won't pass the course. I've been warned that even though I'm pregnant (missed about four weeks at beginning of course), I have to keep my attendance up.

The whole thing is stressing me out, and as much as I love the course, I love my health and baby too. I don't know how much more my body can take. I'm absolutely exhausted and drained the following day, and feeling tearful and emotional.

Does anyone know where I stand legally? Also are there any others who have studied during pregnancy?

Anyone got any practical advice. I'm desperate, please?

Bless you this sounds really hard!

I studied through my pregnancy and up until DD was 3 months old.

I worried I would have to give up studying but my personal tutor was amazing. She explained all of my options- put in medical evidence (Mat B1 form) and use this to get a coursework extension due to mitigating factors so I could complete, defer my studies for a year then pick up where I left off, or exit early with a lesser qualification.

As someone who now works in the higher education sector, I can say that there will be (or should be!) policies in place to deal with situations of this type. I have seen students sitting exams in rooms with more comfortable seating and allowed (chaperoned) toilet breaks due to pregnancy and given flexibility regarding attendance under mitigating circumstances policies.

Under health and safety legislation, risk assessments should be carried out and reasonable adjustments made to accommodate pregnant women.

I would advise you to talk to either your course leader or personal tutor regarding the situation.

In my case, I decided to push on and finish my studies and was granted a one month extension on my final assignment. I also was able to do some of my work from home as this was more comfortable. It is in the interest of institutions to see their students complete courses so they should be meeting y half way here.

Its extremely hard!

I am determined to finish my course, which officially ends at the end of June. But, and this is a huge but, I'm really conscious of this affecting my health. I studied for my first degree when my DS was 2 years old, so I'm used to studying, but not being pregnant whilst doing so. I've been blessed with a healthy pregnancy so far. I only have health problems when I go into to college/uni. Believe me its absolute agony. I was in tears when I'd finished last week. Utterly exhausted, and all I had the energy to do was shower, spend a bit of time with DS and go to bed

I really want to pass this course, and not just drop out with so little to go. I'm dreading going in this week. More so as I snapped at another student last week, and feel that I've been judged because of it. She was really offended, even though I apologised. I was standing up at the time, swaying from side to side, as I was in so much pain. She was personally rude to me and I reacted, negatively, and wished I could have reacted differently.

In addition I'm financing this course myself, and even if I drop out I'm still liable to pay

I started uni pregnant with dc2 and was only allowed 2 weeks off because attendance is a requirement of the degree. They advised me to take a year out - is this an option?

I put in for extensions on my assignments which helped although I gave birth at the beginning of the semester so it all fitted in. I also only had 3/4 lectures a week and pit back my placement by 6 months and did two back to back.

Have to say it was hard but I got through and it's now worth it. Have they given you any advice?