You’re pregnant unexpectedly while in school. Do you have to choose between your education and your child?
No! It’s not easy, but you can choose to parent and finish school successfully. Student parents have higher GPAs on average than their peers. So if you’re facing more school while pregnant, you’re in good company with a promising future ahead of you!
If you’re nervous about juggling parenting and school, find encouragement by reading these stories from clients at The Pregnancy Network who experienced pregnancy/parenthood while in school.
Genine: Graduating with Honors While Parenting
I was going to have the abortion, and I wanted to get it done, like – quickly. I knew it was wrong, but I want to finish school…I saw the ultrasound and I heard the baby’s heartbeat. But I still was like, okay I don’t want to do this…I just don’t want kids right now. All I want to do is finish school. Being a single parent – it’s just going to be a lot.
And all I could hear was that heartbeat. And the people at [The Pregnancy Network] with me saying, you know, “you can do this, you’ll be able to finish school, we’re here to help you.” And I could just hear that heartbeat, and I just couldn’t do it.
Since I made the decision to have my son, he has been such a blessing to the family. Me personally, he put me in this place where I just love him, love every minute…[The Pregnancy Network] really helped me, not just having the baby, making the right decision, but also encouraging me that I can be somebody, I can finish, you can make something of yourself.
And when I finished school, I just had to tell them, you know they were the first people I wanted to let know that I did it. I did exactly what you said. I graduated, and not only graduated, I graduated with honors. I did exactly what you said I could do.
Watch Genine's story:
Amera: Choosing to Parent While Finishing School
I was just starting my senior year. I was just finding out I was really pregnant. I had a very nice lady named Rose and I believe Hannah, and they were so encouraging and happy that I was there and made me feel so welcomed. They made me feel more comfortable and realize that I will have help and that I’m not meant to do this by myself, and I don’t have to, and were willing to let me make my own decision, but also guide me and let me know either way, they were supportive.
No one, I mean not even if you planned a pregnancy, is ever ready to have a baby. It’s just a leap into a new chapter, but also a blessing, and babies are meant; they are never a mistake. They could really be a piece you never knew you were missing, and remember this is God planting a seed, and he knows you can help it grow and nurture it. That’s why he placed them here.
The Pregnancy Network Student Mom: Daycare, Breastfeeding, and Homework Advice While in School
When we were looking for daycares, we knew we wanted to try our hardest to get Claire [name changed for privacy] into UNCG’s daycare. UNCG has a grant for students with children called the “ACCESS” program that allows students with financial difficulties to have very low daycare costs. On the Child Care Education Program’s section on UNCG’s website, they have an application that you can fill out and email to them. Once they have an open spot, they will email you. I would always recommend applying as early as possible, as spots are limited. Students’ children do get the top priority for admission, so Claire was accepted within a month.
I was very nervous at first about pumping while being in class, but it has been super easy and convenient for me. I have a set of portable/wearable pumps I bring along with a storage container and freezer bag that I bring to school with me every day. Title IX does allow all students to have breaks for pumping, and UNCG has lactation rooms that students and staff can utilize for this. However as a nursing student, it was important to me to not miss class, so when I need to pump I put my pumps on and just continue with class. All my classmates and professors have been extremely accommodating and supportive throughout my breastfeeding journey.
Getting work done with an infant is obviously not easy but it is totally doable. It’s going to look different for everyone, but what I’ve found useful is utilizing Claire’s nap time to get schoolwork and studying done. Sometimes when she’s awake, instead of reading her a children’s book, I’ll be reading her my textbooks. If she’s being antsy, I’ll take her outside and study while she plays next to me. It’s also important to utilize the village you have. When my husband comes home he will take her so I can get focused studying done. It’s not easy, but you can always be successful even with a baby.
You’ve got this.
We hope these stories of student moms encourage you that you can successfully parent in school, too! You are more capable than you realize to take on this challenge.
Adrienne Bergmeier
Adrienne Bergmeier is a Communications Coordinator at The Pregnancy Network.