I'm a married college senior, and my pregnancy was planned. That may sound like an insane plan, but it's what is the best for our family at this point. Even though I volunteered to deal with all that pregnancy entails, along with the extra challenge of doing it all while being a full-time student, it is hard. I've discovered at least a handful of other women at my university who are also expecting little ones (although most of these are unplanned pregnancies). I'm sure that there are women nationwide who are both students and expectant mothers. If you find yourself pregnant while going to school, here are some tips on how to survive.
1. Title IX Rights
You have the right to certain accommodations throughout your pregnancy. If you miss class because of a pregnancy-related issue or appointment, your professor CANNOT count these absences against you. You are protected from harassment of discrimination based on your pregnancy. Other accommodations may be made more applicable to your daily activities. These include having permission to use the restroom as much as needed to get sick or to deal with an impatient bladder. You can ask for a bigger desk to make room for your growing belly. You can have permission to bring water and snacks in a classroom that normally bans food and drink. Talk to your Title IX coordinator, students services, or a counselor for help.
2. Drink water!
While every mama needs to stay hydrated, college mamas may be hesitant to drink up too much in order to prevent frequent bathroom visits. I have learned from experience that you need to drink lots of water. If you don't drink enough water, you will become dehydrated and may start feeling dizzy. Restroom breaks are way better than leaving class to go to the nurse's office, believe me. If you're worried about missing important parts of lecture, have a classmate share notes. To help make sure that you are drinking enough, carry a water bottle with you and fill it up several times a day. If you don't like tap water, see if the cafeteria will let you fill your bottle up with water from the soda fountain for free.
3. Keep up on your homework
Look, it's hard. Due dates pile up, and you may forget to submit homework on time. You may need to work on something last minute, but are ready to pass out. Plan ahead. Work on homework while in the waiting room at the OB's or while lounging on the couch. It is a pain in the butt, but it has to get done.
4.. Say "No".
You may think that you can do it all. Spoiler alert: Pregnancy is exhausting. Your body simply cannot keep up at the same pace that it was before. You will be burned out. I was working three part-time jobs, going to school full-time, writing for The Odyssey, managing a home life with my husband, volunteering, and attempting not to neglect my friends. All in the first two months of pregnancy. One of my employers heavily advised that I take a leave from that job (which I did), I took a break from writing, and postponed volunteering. With finals coming up, I still feel overwhelmed, but I am able to manage better than I would have been otherwise. I was so afraid of letting people down by saying "no", and I did make a few people upset that I stopped volunteering or doing extra activities. However, you have to do what is best for you and your child.
5. Get Sleep
You will be more tired than ever. I would start feeling tired around lunch, and take a nap as soon as I got home from work or school, until around 4. And then, I'd need to be in bed by 9:30, or risk falling asleep wherever I was! You may have been a night owl before. You may have lived on coffee and energy drinks (neither of which you can count on anymore). Sleep is more important now than ever. Don't be afraid to go to bed earlier than everyone else, you're growing a little human and that is tiring!
6. Seek out a group of parents and/or pregnant students on campus
Some universities have groups or departments to help pregnant and parenting students succeed. They can provide support, information on resources in the community and on campus, and help you remember that you are not alone. I spearheaded my university's Students With Children group last spring. Ironically, I've had to postpone advocating for pregnant students because of my own pregnancy, as a way to keep myself from gettting burned out. Many schools already have an established group, so check around your capus.
7. Carry Mints
You may be one of the "lucky" women who have morning, noon, and/or night sickness. This may consist of throwing up, nasuea, or both. I had "morning" sickness to the point where I would throw up no less than 15 times most days (losing about 20 pounds in two months). You may not be able to prevent nasuea or throwing up, but sucking on a mint can help take that gross taste out of your mouth.
8. Remember, you can do it!
It is hard. You are tired. You just want to be done with the semester and done with this trimester. Count the weeks down. You are strong for juggling both these identities as student and mama, along with any other roles you may have. It seems like an eternity, but the second trimester and the end of this semester will be here soon.
