PGCE and Pregnancy

[MaariaT]

I'm starting my PGCE in a month. My partner and I also really want to start a family. He is supportive and will wait for me to finish my PGCE before we conceive but I was wondering if anyone has gotten pregnant half way through the course? If I try to get pregnant in Feb and the course finishing in July leaving me being 6 months pregnant will that be doable?

You need to think about maternity pay. Would it not be better to wait until you have done your PGCE and got your first teaching job?

I am sure others have got pregnant when doing their PGCE so you would not be the first

Pregnancy is hard especially the first trimester.Not for all but for so many.You just don’t know how your body and mind will be.PGCE is an intense almost year program. I would complete the pgce first then try for a baby but look into your QTS and what maternity may look like following that.

How old are you? Unless you’re 40 odd I’d suggest waiting until you’re fully qualified. You never know how pregnancy will affect you. My mum had to give up her masters degree because of a horrific pregnancy. She never managed to finish it.

Couldn't agree more with this. I did my PGCE 6 years ago and am currently pregnant. There is just no way I would have lasted the course feeling the way I do. I've already had to postpone doing my NPQ as I just couldn't keep up due to my nausea/fatigue/migraines.

You could be one of the lucky ones who fly through pregnancy, but there's no guarantee. Plus, having a baby on SMP doesn't sound like a bag of laughs to me... Just a couple of things to consider.

I think you are underestimating the importance of the first year and gaining QTS - this may impact upon future jobs

Equally - and I know it’s controversial- it won’t go down well to go for a job and announce you are pregnant. Unfortunately mat leave etc is an expensive impact upon the school finances ( not that anyone will say it)
Big implications - but ultimately up to you

I was so sick in pregnancy . There is no way I could have completed my pgce whilst pregnant.

Also it's not great as a job with young kids either!

I had ten years of teaching experience under my belt when I was pregnant and it was still exhausting and hard. I had the luxury of not being co stantky observed and having to meet targets. I had the previous experience to be able to whip up a largely unplanned lesson because I'd favoured and early night or a lie in. On a pgce you'll need to be at the top of your game all the time. It's really hard work and you'll struggle when getting lots of time off for appointments etc....obviously you are entitled to them but if you don't also complete a set number of days in school and teaching hours, observations and assignments whilst on placement then you might have to stay on longer or possibly not pass the year.

It is very full on when training and in the first year. It would be difficult and I think you are bound to want to focus on your pregnancy. You are also likely to need time off and may need to rest etc. You also will need to do your two ect years. If you are determined to do it you would be better finishing the training and getting a permanent job. You would also benefit from maternity leave if you have some time under your belt.

I was pregnant during my PGCE and had my baby at the end of August. That was actually fine and I also worked out part time so qualified for Maternity Allowance.

What was really hard was doing my NQT year (and it's two ECT years now!) with a young child. You need to think about the financial implications but also how your qualifying years can be even harder than the PGCE and if you end up doing that part time it would be four long years these days.

I’d get your ECT years done first.

Actually, I’d recommend not starting the PGCE and choosing a different career path, but hey…!

I agree with all the above posters. Getting your ECT under your belt without having a young child and some experience so that planning doesn’t take forever etc is really important. I’d say you need to delay considering having children for three years.

The PGCE is intense. You then have two ECT years to get through to fully qualify. Which are also hard work. You have no idea what kind of pregnancy you will have, or what kind of baby you will have. So you essentially could be getting off to a really tricky start to your career.

Looking back, if I could go back, I actually would advise myself to retrain as anything other than a teacher pre kids. I'd love to be an Ed psych or OT and can't manage it now!

I agree with everyone above, sorry OP, it’s a tough career choice and would be extremely challenging to start pregnant/ young baby. You need a couple of years to bank your resources, gain your rhythm marking and behaviour management.

FYI when you do get a full time job, you need to wait 6 months before conception to be eligible for Maternity in most schools.

Also, just because you try to get pregnant in February, it doesn't always work out that way. Sometimes it can take quite a bit of time.

It's years since I taught but I cannot imagine doing my qts with a tiny baby at home x

NQT year even 🫣

Hi there,
Has anyone done the part time PGCE course at St Mary’s? I’m really keen but have two children (2 and 5) and wondering how manageable the workload will be.
Any info on how much time you’re at university and how long the placement days are please?
Also applying to Roehampton and Kingston for the FT course so any feedback on these would also be amazing!
Thanks so much.