PhD and pregnant

[PerpetualStudent]

No Im not asking for a urine sample!

I just wondered if anyone else out there is pregnant and doing their PhD?
There used to be a thread on student parents which I lurked on whilst deciding to start TTC but it seems to have gone quiet now.

Im 7 weeks pregnant and just started the 3rd year of my PhD in education. I'm lucky enough to have ESRC funding so will get maternity leave, but even so sort of dreading the inevitable painful admin process of getting it all sorted. Luckily I know my supervisor is behind me: checked in with him about the possibility earlier this year, that was an awkward supervision meeting!

Love to hear from any other PhD mums to be - how are you getting on?

Hello! I'm 20 weeks and I've just started my 4th year of a PhD in literature. I'm finding it all very stressful. I've just run out of funding. I've got no idea where my next month's rent is coming from.

I'm in the writing up stage at the moment. The plan is to get as much done as possible before the baby arrives, although that's easier said than done - I'm teaching this semester, which I agreed to do before I found out I was pregnant - and it's seriously taking ALL my time to prepare seminars/do the reading. Oh and I am presenting at a conference in 2 weeks and I haven't started writing the paper yet.

I'm just so glad to be out of the first trimester - I missed out on three months of work because I literally couldn't peel myself off the sofa. I was so ill. How are you feeling? Are you getting much work done?

Sorry if that all sounds really negative, I think I needed to let off a bit of steam!

I have a friend who did finished her PhD whilst pregnancy and did her viva (not sure of the exact term) whilst she was in early labour but didn't know it. However, she did in her words 'have an easy pregnancy'.

I think it depends on how your pregnancy goes. If you are one of those people who don't need to slow down for pregnancy then you should be fine. However, you never know how you will be.

I am not doing a PHD but I am in my 3rd year of my journalism degree. I will be due end of May and my final project a are due in end of May! I am a bit overwhelmed to be honest! I have been somewhat 'vacant' the last month of uni since finding out I was pregnant because I am so scared something will go wrong as I had a MC in June.

Good luck to you!!!!

Hi Gargalesis - that does indeed sound very stressful! I've done some odds and ends of teaching this year, so I know how time consuming it is!
I hope the teaching at least provides a bit of financial security and hopefully you'll hit your stride with the planning etc.
How much more have you got to do with writing up? Are you hoping to get everything done before baby arrives? Are your supervisor(s)/university/DP being supportive? Hope so!

No worries about sounding negative - I know letting of steam is V necessary with the PhD!

I'm with you on the 1st trimester thing - like you leanne963 I had an early miscarriage this summer, so as well as feeling really sick and exhausted, I'm also nervous and worrying about every twinge all the time!
I'm in the final weeks of field research - it's all I can do to drag myself to my case schools - the time I should be spending writing up my notes is mostly spent lolling on the sofa/bed - I'm hoping my data doesn't suffer too much!

LIG1979 your friend sounds like a hero! I also have a friend who has just finalised writing up and submitted through migraines and morning sickness - she has her viva (exactly the right term!) next month! I'm in awe of her and holding her up as my role model right now! It's good to know it has and can be done.

Good luck to you too Leanne - hope all goes smoothly with the final project and the pregnancy! How has it been with your university, have they been supportive? Is there any extra support for pregnant undergrads?

perpetual student- yes she is a hero and I don't think I would have been able to do it when pregnant. By about 30 weeks I had such bad nappy brain I had to carry post it notes with which meeting room I was going and why so I didn't forget where I was going. She was about 25 at the time (not sure if that helps) and even now has an amazing ability to juggle 2 kids and work! But op it can be done (by some pregnant people but not all.)

I would say try and get it done before the baby if you can. It will be even more difficult to complete once you have a baby! (Unless you have lots of childcare planned so you can get back into your studies.)

PerpetualStudent I am only 8w3d at the moment, so i havn't told any lecturers yet. I have a meeting with my tutor tomorrow and i may give her a heads up. I have cried nearly twice in Uni this week through stress of uni work and i know it is hormones and i don't want anyone thinking i am just being precious lol.

I'm sure she will be great about it, i just worry that if i have a difficult pregnancy and need time off i will fail this year :( How do you focus on studying and writing things up when half of you is telling yourself to go on MN or to google symptoms lol

Perpetual Thanks for this post! I'm 9 weeks and in my first year of a Phd. I had an mmc in June and have found both first trimesters really difficult and it's so hard to concentrate! I really feel like I'm so far behind on my work. I haven't told my supervisor yet and am dreading when/if I have to do it.

Hope all of us students are feeling ok! xx

Oh Mslad very similar story!! Im sorry for your loss in June! It is difficult isn't it? To focus on this pregnancy and Uni/PHD work and not worry that it is going to end bad like last time. Big hugs! Im sure everything will work out fine, your supervisor will no doubt be supportive!!

x

Spoke to my tutor today and told her i was pregnant! She was so lovely about it and really reassured me, told me if i needed any extensions just to ask. She said my health is a priority to them! :D So relieved!!!

Leanne thats great news! I'm so glad your tutor was supportive- it must be such a relief. Thanks for your kind words yesterday. I'm currently trying to work but can only concentrate on pregnancy symptoms

I'm writing up my PhD in veterinary medicine. I'm BBSRC funded so I have maternity leave (YAY!) though the university were complete bastards about organising it because I'm coming up to the end of my contract (I was due to hand in at the end of November). I'm 36 weeks pregnant and have just gone on maternity leave earlier than I was planning because of high blood pressure, it's been slightly terrifying trying to write up whilst dealing with pregnancy nonsense. I'm not as far along with my chapters as I would have liked, but I guess it will all get done in the end.