Having a baby in college can be stressful, but you can be successful in school while pregnant. With a good plan, open communication lines with your professors, and the right support, you can juggle your school workload and take care of yourself and your baby. When you look back at the struggles you’ve overcome, graduation day will be even more meaningful.
Let’s take a look at some of the challenges you’ll experience when having a baby in college. We’ll cover what to expect and give you the resources you’ll need to find success. With the right set of tools and some useful strategies, you’ll be able to complete your college career with confidence and pride.
Pregnant in College: What to Expect
As with anything in life, you’ll experience the good and the bad during this time. Here are some of the most common issues women experience when having a baby and going to college:
Balancing Responsibilities
One of the biggest challenges women face when having a baby in college is finding balance. If you’re attending college full-time, you probably have a heavy workload with several classes. Juggling your responsibilities will take some extra work when you’re pregnant, but you will set yourself up for success by creating a plan.
Set a daily schedule and do your best to stick to it. Do a little work each day to lessen the workload and to avoid any issues if something comes up. Cut back where you can. Communicate with your professors if things start to get too hard to handle. They can give you additional support and resources during this time.
Self-Care
Another challenge women face when having a baby in college is prioritizing self-care. With so much going on, you’re bound to slip in one area of your life. It’s okay if you don’t exercise or eat healthy as long as your schoolwork is complete, right? Not so much!
Taking care of yourself while you’re pregnant is essential. If you can’t find a set block of time to exercise, get out and take a quick walk during class breaks. Prepare your meals ahead of time so you’re not tempted to grab unhealthy foods. Take naps if you’re feeling pregnancy fatigue. It’s important to put extra work into taking care of yourself because failing to do so can negatively impact your health.
Social Life
With all the changes, work, and OBG-YN appointments, finding a social life when you’re having a baby in college might seem tricky. Stay connected to family and friends. Having people to talk to and interact with is vital for your mental health. Make time to do things you enjoy with the people you care about most. With some extra effort, you’ll see that you can still have a social life when having a baby and going to college.
While having a baby in college comes with its fair share of challenges, there are also positive aspects of navigating this journey.
Flexible Schedule
Since you pick your classes, you’ll have a pretty flexible schedule. If you find out you are pregnant before the semester starts, you can make your schedule work for your lifestyle and your new responsibilities. For example, you can schedule evening classes to make planning doctor appointments easier, or you can plan your schedule so you have one day off a week. This makes it much easier to handle your responsibilities and take care of yourself.
Resources
There is a whole list of resources available to women having a baby in college. You’ll be eligible for scholarships you wouldn’t otherwise meet the requirements for, and you’ll find great support groups where you’ll make new friends. Be sure to communicate with your professors, advisors, and school administration. You’ll notice that your professors will be understanding if you keep them in the loop.
How to Attend College While Pregnant
Now that you understand the good and bad that comes with having a baby and going to college, let’s dive into some strategies and tips for attending college while pregnant.
Tips for Scheduling College Classes When Pregnant
One of the best ways to find success if you’re having a baby in college is to set the right schedule. This will help you avoid the burnout that often comes with being overwhelmed by your workload. Here are some tips to help you establish a good schedule with balance:
- Take fewer classes. Of course, you want to stay on track with your graduation goals, but it’s important to succeed in the classes you take. Scheduling fewer classes can help you stay on top of all the other responsibilities that come with pregnancy, like doctor appointments.
- Move some classes online. A great way to set your schedule is to see if there are classes you can take online. This will save you time on your commute and give you an extra sense of comfort as you work from your own space.
- Schedule appointments around your classes. Make sure your medical provider knows you’re going to school. Schedule your appointments around your courses so they don’t interfere with your work. If you have to plan a doctor’s appointment when you usually have class, check ahead to make sure it doesn’t interfere with any big tests or projects.
- Get a good calendar planner. Invest in a planner that will help you juggle your appointments and your schoolwork. Fill your calendar as far out as you can so nothing interferes with your classes or essential appointments.
- Consider afternoon classes. Afternoon classes are an excellent resource for women having a baby and going to college. It’ll help you avoid absence from morning sickness and give you time to get your doctors’ appointments scheduled early in the day.
Tips for Finding Support for Pregnant College Students
Accepting help will be one of the greatest gifts you give yourself and your baby when having a baby in college. From friends and family to your professors and advisors, there are resources available to help students having a baby and going to college. Here are some great resources for pregnant college students:
- Find a local support center for pregnant women. Pregnancy support centers are an excellent resource for pregnant women. If you are considering adoption or just need support, places like Texas Adoption Center have the knowledge and experience to point you in the right direction no matter what you need.
- Talk to your advisor about scholarships. There are a ton of scholarships available to pregnant women and women with children. Your advisor might already have experience finding these funds and helping other students apply. You can also do a quick search online to find available options. The money is out there, and it’ll help you save money that will come in handy when your baby is born!
- Explore on-campus resources. From free childcare to extra help with your schoolwork, most colleges and universities have their own set of on-campus resources to help pregnant students. You should be able to find them on your university’s website, but talk to your professors or advisors if not.
Get the Support You Need When Having a Baby in College
It’s vital to equip yourself with all the resources you can to ease the overwhelming feelings you’re bound to experience during this time.
Texas Adoption Center is an excellent resource for women having a baby in college. We’re proud to provide many essential services to our clients, including:
- Emotional Support
- Financial Support
- Medical Care and Health Insurance
- Housing and Transportation Assistance
We’re passionate about giving our clients the compassionate, individualized care they need to embrace pregnancy and student life with enthusiasm and confidence.
You do not have to do this alone because Texas Adoption Center is here to help. Call or text TAC today to get the support you need to find success.
