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Primary education

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Original poster

Pregnant and doing a PGDE course

14 replies

xsazax · 25/07/2023 17:24

Hello. Looking for some advice. I am a mature student at 36. I am away to start my PGDE course in August. I have (extremely) unexpectedly found out I am 6 weeks pregnant, due around March. I have worked so hard to get to where I am.. it was so competitive so to get on the course was a dream.

I have a terrible decision to make though. My partner really wants a baby (I do to) and with being older it's a very hard choice. We discussed a termination and trying again once I completed the course and do my probationary year. That would make me 38 before we even start trying (39 before I give birth) if it even happens at all.

I want the best of both worlds, and I can not make this decision on my own. If I deferred a year I still think that's too young to leave a baby (5 months) to start a PDGE as it's so intensive.

Has anyone any experience in this? Ideally I would love to start the course. Have the baby and then pick up the other half of the course the fallowing year. Meaning I would have the baby and complete the training and I'll be 38? Any help greatly appreciated 🙏 🙂

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toomanyleggings · 25/07/2023 18:40

So you’re looking to be one a teacher with a relatively new baby? Take this as divine intervention. Have your baby. Don’t do the course. Teaching is not family friendly. I would go mad if any of my kids wanted to teach. I did it myself for 15 years and left when I was 37. No regrets.

skelter83 · 25/07/2023 18:43

Speak to your course tutor. If I were you, I’d try to get as much of the course under my belt before the baby came. You’re training, so you’ll be supported etc. and it’s probably easier doing it now than when you’re an ECT. Good luck and congratulations!

Phineyj · 25/07/2023 19:13

I did a two term GTP while pregnant then had the baby a month after the final assessment. I don't know if I'd recommend it exactly (I remember some anxiety about needing to pee in double lessons!), but I did it and I am still teaching 10 years later. I was 40 when I gave birth.

Tbh the most annoying thing was unasked for life advice from the tutor s...

Original poster

xsazax · 26/07/2023 21:43

Thank you so much for your thought here. I tlknow it will be tough, I am at a huge crossroads.. such a hard decision. I really appreciate your comment. 😀

OP posts:

Original poster

xsazax · 26/07/2023 21:44

Thank you so much for your comment. I really appreciate you taking the time so reply. Will take your advice on board 👍😁

OP posts:

Summer2424 · 26/07/2023 21:46

Hi @xsazax i would have the baby, honestly it's the most amazing thing ever, you will not regret it x

babayhaga · 26/07/2023 21:47

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Thally · 26/07/2023 21:50

Either defer the course or see if you can do till March and finish after your baby is here. I'm a massive fan of taking control of your fertility however if you want children you do not have infinite time/opportunities and I would take this one.

babayhaga · 26/07/2023 22:00

Yes my post got deleted.

OP you will be ending the life of your unborn baby because you think it doesn't fit in with a course start date.

It's so unreasonable that you and hubby are actually considering terminating a wanted pregnant.

Think about it.

NatalieWould · 26/07/2023 22:01

Hi, if you want to continue the pregnancy, do so. Regardless of the PGDE: what do you want to do?

Please don’t terminate because of the course. Honestly, I’ve taught for over 20 years and loved most of it but honestly, I regret every sacrifice in my life I made for teaching. All the hours marking and planning when your children are young, etc.

The role does not thank you enough for your life’s decisions to be made around it. The course will still be there. I’d start the course and let your course tutors advise you. It’s in their interest to make it work.

Teachers get pregnant and leave half way through an exam year- you feel that your class will not survive without you- they always do. I say this as someone who loved their classes and always put them first. But in the cold light of day, they do get over it. You are replaceable at work. But whatever you choose in your life, don’t put the course/job first. It will not do the same for you.

Globules · 26/07/2023 22:11

Life must fit around your teaching career. Put this line in the sand over the profession now. Start as you mean to go on, else you'll lose yourself and burn out quickly.

People have babies in the middle of their PG. It happens. Talk to your tutor about your options. You'll be tired, particularly if you're doing primary. Make sure there's a decent risk assessment in place when on practice, as some children can get quite physical.

And congratulations.

Globules · 26/07/2023 22:13

By must fit I mean life must take priority over your teaching career. At the end of the day, it's just a job.

Perfect28 · 26/07/2023 22:13

Yes this happened to me. I paused the course and continued the following September when baby was 6 months old. I say do it, you're most the way through the course in march. Be prepared for it to be difficult though!

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 26/07/2023 22:32

Absolutely keep your wanted baby you would regret it so much if you struggled to get pregnant later which you might well do being older and being in a stressful busy job. I think your plan to do the course in two halves sounds best- they can't discriminate against you due to pregnancy

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