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01-09-2013 at 11:42 AM
jaymiefitz...
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To stay in school or to take time off?

I'm 20 weeks pregnant and due May 26, and I'm having trouble deciding if I should take some time off from school. It's my second year in college and I'm scared once I get into my third tri I'm going to be miserable in school taking 17 hours. I know it's possible to do and my fiancé supports me either way I go but I'm scared if I don't go back I'm going to regret it. Once I have my baby girl I know I'm going to want to spend every minute with her. I don't want to put her in daycare until she's a bit older, I don't want to miss out on any important milestones. Any advice??
 
01-09-2013 at 11:48 AM
doribeth85...
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I was also in school when I was pregnant with DS. I continued going to school throughout my entire pregnancy (was due in August, so I had time off from the beginning of June-beginning of September). I went back when DS was two weeks old and just took night classes while DH stayed home with DS. I wasn't a full-time student, but knew if I took any time off, I would struggle going back.

I'm so glad I made the decision to just keep going!


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01-09-2013 at 11:51 AM
jaymiefitz...
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The hard part is that my fiancé works offshore for 3 weeks at a time, and our familIes live 3 hours away, so it's pretty much just me, myself and I
 
01-09-2013 at 11:55 AM
courtnif
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Most women work 40 hours a week right up until labor. I dont think school would be any more difficult than that. Will you be uncomfortable at times? Yes. Welcome to pregnancy.
 
01-09-2013 at 12:04 PM
hammerb44
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Stay in school! I've found out with my first that it is way harder trying to get things done with a baby and toddler than it is being pregnant. Get as much done now as you can would be my advice!
 
01-09-2013 at 12:05 PM
Erinm278
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Stay in school!

We were married 7/2/11 We got our fur baby Cooper in May 2012. We are KU and due in July!  BabyFruit Ticker  
01-09-2013 at 12:06 PM
Jdawnl
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If it makes you feel better, I am due June 13 and teaching high school through the end of May, until Summer Break. I am also taking classes for my Master's Online (6 credits, this Spring). 

You can do it! Just think how much easier it will be to take the classes while you still know where your LO is. lol. Right there with you! :) 


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01-09-2013 at 12:06 PM
2010Bride2...
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courtnif:
Most women work 40 hours a week right up until labor. I dont think school would be any more difficult than that. Will you be uncomfortable at times? Yes. Welcome to pregnancy.

This.

OP, stay in school.


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01-09-2013 at 12:24 PM
pantsarell...
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courtnif:
Most women work 40 hours a week right up until labor. I dont think school would be any more difficult than that. Will you be uncomfortable at times? Yes. Welcome to pregnancy.

This. I'll be working until my water breaks because I don't have enough time off to take off before that. I fully plan on being uncomfortable. And I'll miss plenty of my kid's milestones because I'll be back to work as soon as the doctor clears me because part of my maternity will be unpaid.

Stay in school. Your child will thank you for it later and you won't regret it.  



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01-09-2013 at 12:28 PM
Amanda&Eri...
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I decided to take some time off. I also have a toddler, but still. I was afraid I'd be too tired/sick/whatever to keep up with my studies.

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01-09-2013 at 12:30 PM
526SadieSa...
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courtnif:
Most women work 40 hours a week right up until labor. I dont think school would be any more difficult than that. Will you be uncomfortable at times? Yes. Welcome to pregnancy.

I worked 40 hours/week up until 41 weeks pregnant.  It sucked but I did what I had to do.

You've already paid for the classes, I'd finish them unless your doctor tells you to stay off your feet.

Go to the student services office on your campus and ask if there are any special accomodations for pregnant students, to encourage/assist them with completing their education.  This might include getting lesson plans/lecture notes emailed to you from your professors on days that you're too uncomfortable to attend or if you have a prenatal appointment.  They might also let you take exams at different times  or locations depending on your circumstances.

You will want to spend tons of time with the baby, but finishing your degree will help you get a better job so you can be a better provider for him/her.  I think you should get as close to that goal as humanly possible before birth.


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01-09-2013 at 12:34 PM
Ana0927
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Stay in school! I did with DD and am so glad.  I didn't take time off when the baby was born either. I actually took more classes because I knew my DD would be sleeping for most of the time. She would sleep an insane amount of time during the day so I was able to get alot of stuff done. I took two online classes and two night classes.   


 
01-09-2013 at 12:34 PM
TradeMama
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If I were in your shoes, I'd look at my exam schedule and see if my LO was due before or after exams. If you think that you can make it through finals before your due date, I'd suffer through the semester and get it out of the way. It's much harder to finish school with a LO than it is to be pregnant, trust me!

So many blessings!! Mom to Isaiah, Alex, and Connor. Isaiah: May 23,1998 Alex: March 8, 2006 Connor: May 3, 2013 Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him. Psalm 127:3  
01-09-2013 at 12:35 PM
homebird
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I wasn't in school, but I worked up until my due date with DD. There were obviously times when I was uncomfortable/tired/achy, etc. but it wasn't miserable, and I got done what I had to.

I personally wouldn't recommend taking any more time off than you need to. You're going to take some time off after the baby is born (obviously). I feel like the longer you're off the more difficult it will be to get back into things. kwim? At least, that's how it would be for me.


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01-09-2013 at 12:38 PM
TheMessTha...
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I was in nursing school and working full-time when I found out I was pregnant with my first. Everyone advised me to stay in school or I wouldn't go back. I was so sick throughout my first two trimesters that I struggled. I finished the semester, then took the next semester off. I have not gone back...

When you see that little one, you will want to spend every minute with him/her. I worked full-time until my daughter was almost 2. My husband and I made the decision for me to resign from my full-time position and be an at-home mother. I have loved every minute of it and am now expecting #3. 

I do not regret spending the time with my little ones and watching them grow. I do regret not finishing school. There is a sense of accomplishment that comes with finishing - and I don't have that. Nursing was my dream. It still is. But my kids are my focus right now. I'll get to chase my dream again someday, but I will likely have to start all over by the time that rolls around...

The best advice I had when I was pregnant - Finish now and when the baby's born, just get your schooling done. They won't remember daycare when they're so little, but if you are absent from their school play or chorus concert because you're in school, they will remember that... 

You are NOT a failure if you quit! You just have to decide what your priorities are. Think about how you will be impacted financially if you don't finish school too. And just keep in mind that if you choose to postpone your education, your dream will just have to sit on the back burner for a bit. If you're okay with that, take a semester off. If not, press on!

Best wishes to you and congratulations on your little one! 

 
01-09-2013 at 12:51 PM
llbta85
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Stay in school! The more you can complete before baby the easier it will be after baby.  I worked full time (40+ hours/wk) and was in the middle of my Masters when I found out I was pregnant.  I was due in February so I didn't take classes that semester but took classes the semester before and after.  I finished my masters when DS was less than a year old and just completed a professional exam this summer (DS is 4).  Totally worth it.  To do it with a LO is hard but you will feel like you really accomplished something and can do just about anything!  I know its hard to put a LO in daycare but a good education can make life so much better for you and LO down the road that it is worth it. 

 
01-09-2013 at 1:40 PM
April!
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Do as much as you can before the baby comes! Everyone keeps telling me they're much easier to take care of while they're still on the inside. :) 

 


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01-09-2013 at 2:32 PM
jane.says
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courtnif:
Most women work 40 hours a week right up until labor. I dont think school would be any more difficult than that. Will you be uncomfortable at times? Yes. Welcome to pregnancy.

This. Twice now I have worked on the actual day I delivered. Stay in school!  


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01-09-2013 at 2:53 PM
JCWhitey
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I'm due in July and will be doing a full semester now, but will be taking time off and going just part-time for next semester.  Is going part-time an option for you?  It may be easier on your as far as getting some classes out of the way now as well as keeping your priority in registration if your school has a system like mine where continuing students get priority over new and returning students.

I did have a friend who delivered her baby in September of this last year and did a full schedule in order to graduate this past semester.  She pulled it off with a B average even with a newborn in tow!  She was able to do online classes mostly, with only two where she had to actually go into the school.  For those classes her fiance would clear his schedule and stay home with the baby.  I will be doing something similar next semester where I will do two online classes and one class at the school and then have H coordinate his schedule so that he will be home with the baby during those three hours.

Another option is to just drop out and go back when she's older.  It doesn't sound ideal, but it's not uncommon to be a little older and in school these days.  I'm 28 and while I'm back in school for a second degree I don't feel out of place at all.  Some of my peers are 18-19 but I'd say about half are between 25-30.

ETA: I also think some people aren't quite realizing the issues involved here when they are comparing work to school.  While I am planning to work until I give birth, I personally wouldn't risk missing finals (at least my finals are the same week as your due date) and failing my classes like that.  Work = you're getting paid.  School = you're paying.  And they don't often give refunds for failing classes because you had to be on bed rest or go into labor the day of your finals.  If you can work something out with your school that would help you out if this happens to you that would be the best situation.  Then you can stay in school and not stress about anything happening to cause you to fail any classes. 


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I believe in a lot of things. I believe in fresh tennis balls, the healing power of bunnies, and that the novels of Susan Sontag are something I'll never read. In fact, I don't even know who Susan Sontag is. What is she... like... a painter? I believe in Crystal Lite because I believe in ME. I believe in the movies of Val Kilmer, though these days it ain't so easy. I believe in Darren Sproles, the word "dabble", the first season of "Silk Stockings", and big, warm, moist, gooey chocolate chip cookies that melt in your mouth and all over your face. 

01-09-2013 at 3:12 PM
mitzidanny
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I'm taking 19credit hrs this semester, my due date is May 8th and classes end May 8th... i'll be talking to my prof's once classes start next monday, i'll at least ask if it's possible to take my finals a week before...

as others have said, i rather do as much as possible before she's out... 

 


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01-09-2013 at 3:13 PM
courtnif
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JCWhitey:
ETA: I also think some people aren't quite realizing the issues involved here when they are comparing work to school.nbsp; While I am planning to work until I give birth, I personally wouldn't risk missing finals at least my finals are the same week as your due date and failing my classes like that.nbsp; Work = you're getting paid.nbsp; School = you're paying.nbsp; And they don't often give refunds for failing classes because you had to be on bed rest or go into labor the day of your finals.nbsp; If you can work something out with your school that would help you out if this happens to you that would be the best situation.nbsp; Then you can stay in school and not stress about anything happening to cause you to fail any classes.nbsp;


The OP indicated she might not feel like it in her 3rd trimester. Addressing that issue by comparing it to working is perfectly valid. Are there other issues to be considered? Probably.
 
01-09-2013 at 3:18 PM
JCWhitey
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courtnif:
JCWhitey:
ETA: I also think some people aren't quite realizing the issues involved here when they are comparing work to school.nbsp; While I am planning to work until I give birth, I personally wouldn't risk missing finals at least my finals are the same week as your due date and failing my classes like that.nbsp; Work = you're getting paid.nbsp; School = you're paying.nbsp; And they don't often give refunds for failing classes because you had to be on bed rest or go into labor the day of your finals.nbsp; If you can work something out with your school that would help you out if this happens to you that would be the best situation.nbsp; Then you can stay in school and not stress about anything happening to cause you to fail any classes.nbsp;
The OP indicated she might not feel like it in her 3rd trimester. Addressing that issue by comparing it to working is perfectly valid. Are there other issues to be considered? Probably.

Again, that's true, but with work you get FMLA and sick leave if something happens.  You don't get that with school so she may be told she needs to stay off her feet at the end of April and have no recourse with her school like someone would have at work. 


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Surprise BFP | Baby Due Late July/Early August 2013

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I believe in a lot of things. I believe in fresh tennis balls, the healing power of bunnies, and that the novels of Susan Sontag are something I'll never read. In fact, I don't even know who Susan Sontag is. What is she... like... a painter? I believe in Crystal Lite because I believe in ME. I believe in the movies of Val Kilmer, though these days it ain't so easy. I believe in Darren Sproles, the word "dabble", the first season of "Silk Stockings", and big, warm, moist, gooey chocolate chip cookies that melt in your mouth and all over your face. 

01-09-2013 at 3:25 PM
srhcmt
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There have been alot of comments about working up until due date.  While I agree that working up until the baby is born is difficult there are very different motivations to work than to go to school.  I may be wrong, but the OP didn't necessarily say she wasn't working and going to school so it's probably not like she'd quit school and sit at home.  And even if that's the case, it's really up to her and her H. 

I loved school, but IMO school is 100% harder and more stressful than a 40 hour work week.  Most jobs you get to go home and relax.  School is always with you whether or not you decide to work on your projects, papers, research etc.  I was pregnant with DD when I was two semesters shy of finishing.  I chose not to continue into the Spring semester and she was born in Feb.  I did go back and graduate so it is possible.  Was it easy?  Absolutely not.  Was it a better choice for me?  Absolutely. 

What I would suggest to OP is to look very hard at yourself.  Are you able to put in the level of work you expect from yourself or are you "just going to finish"?  I expected a high level of quality from myself and I was not able to keep up with those expectations.  Will you really return?  I knew I would and I did.  I'm sure there are many more questions to ask yourself depending on  your personal situation.  I completely agree that finishing school is in your best interest, but there is nothing that says you can't do that after a couple semesters off.


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01-09-2013 at 3:33 PM
Sunny1inTu...
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stay in school; you'll be even less likely to want to take classes after the baby than now, LOL!

I ended up having to reschedule one of my finals because LO # 1 came early, but all was well. 

 
01-09-2013 at 3:54 PM
Lovestruck...
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Stay in school. Especially since it sounds like you'll be having childcare issues once the baby is born. Might as well get as much as you can done before baby is here.

 


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01-09-2013 at 4:35 PM
sherina825
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Keep going! I posted something about this last week and I decided to just keep going. It's a lot harder to go back than to keep straight through. And while you will miss your LO I'm sure you'll never regret getting your degree and providing her a good life. You don't have to take 17 hours though. That's a lot for someone who is not pregnant. For most undergrad programs I'm sure that its 12 or 13 hours is full time.  

ETA: When I was pregnant with my first, it was my first year of my Master's program. I had her right before my final projects were due. I did what I could and turned stuff in early. This time I am getting another Master's certification, and I took the Fall semester off and will have to finish next semester with 2 kids. I also teach full time, and I'm pretty much the most unmotivated person I know.  


 
01-09-2013 at 5:14 PM
mommacakes...
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I say dont quit school, It is so hard to go back. I keep saying next semester I will go back, well that semester has yet to come. Although I have told everyone they have to help me make sure I go back in the fall of this year. The baby will be a few months old by then and I plan to take some online classes or just like 2 to get me back in the swing.

 
01-09-2013 at 5:29 PM
trevinosnm
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I work full time and will be taking 9 credit hours this semester. I'm due May 7 which is also the last week of finals but I plan on seeing what I can work out with my professors to take exams a week early. I do plan on taking summer off but will be starting back up for the next semester mid August. I'm only three semesters away from finishing with taking 9 credits for spring 2013, 6 credits fall 2013, n 6 credits spring 2014. Personally I say go for this semester since u should be done before baby is due if u aren't due until end of May.

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01-09-2013 at 5:35 PM
Lovestruck...
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trevinosnm:
I work full time and will be taking 9 credit hours this semester. I'm due May 7 which is also the last week of finals but I plan on seeing what I can work out with my professors to take exams a week early. I do plan on taking summer off but will be starting back up for the next semester mid August. I'm only three semesters away from finishing with taking 9 credits for spring 2013, 6 credits fall 2013, n 6 credits spring 2014. Personally I say go for this semester since u should be done before baby is due if u aren't due until end of May.

This is what I'm going to have to plan for as well. My due date is 1 day after the last day of the semester. I'll start up again in September after summer break. It's going to be hard, (it's nursing school). But  I'm doing this FOR my family's future. For my son.


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01-09-2013 at 5:41 PM
SummerSnow...
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There has been a lot of good advice to support both staying in school and taking the time off.... I think the time off could be worth it for you. You are only in your second year, so no matter what you will have to go back to complete your degree. So if you skip a semester you are only adding one more on. And if you decide not to go back you will have saved one semesters worth of money.
Best of luck making your decision!

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