An unplanned pregnancy during college can feel daunting. You look around and don’t see other students going through the same set of circumstances. You may wonder if you’ll be able to finish school.
If that’s you, you’re in the right place. Not only is it possible to finish college, it’s possible to thrive in college as a parent. Here are some protections you may not know about for your college journey.
Title IX
You’ve likely heard of Title IX on your campus, often in relation to athletics. But Title IX is made for so much more than that. According to the Department of Education, Title IX “prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.” This legal protection includes pregnancy! Here are a few of the accommodations you are entitled to as a part of Title IX:
- Necessary medical leave for your prenatal appointments and the delivery of your child
- Accommodations like a larger or different desk to make attending class more comfortable
- Breaks during class, labs, or exams to eat, drink, use the bathroom, or pump after your baby is born
- Access to classes or classwork online
- Extensions on assignments and the ability to reschedule exams
For more information on Title IX, check out this episode of Pregnancy Has Entered the Chat, “Pregnancy on the College Campus”.
Receiving Your Accommodations
The best way to receive the accommodations you’re entitled to is to contact your school’s Title IX office. Your Title IX coordinator will help craft a plan to ensure your success throughout your pregnancy and beyond. Be sure to loop in your professors and academic advisors on your accommodations so they’re able to help you achieve your goals.
Title IX is an amazing resource for pregnant and postpartum students because it demands that students must be able to maintain the same status, meaning you cannot be discriminated against in any way due to your pregnancy. This legislation protects your extracurricular activities like internships and athletics, as well as your lab or clinical classes and your financial aid or scholarships.
You’ve got this.
Your child will not hold you back from achieving your dreams. In fact, many moms we’ve spoken to have shared how their child became the fuel for their success, not the end of it. One of the women we served, Genine, shared that not only did she graduate after having her child, she graduated with honors.
For more support on your pregnancy and parenting journey, make an appointment with us at ThePregnancyNetwork.org. We offer medical services, educational classes, and a network of resources to empower you to face your unplanned pregnancy without fear.
Chloe Belk
Chloe Belk is a Communications Coordinator at The Pregnancy Network.