How to Survive Unexpected Pregnancy While in College

An unexpected pregnancy is certainly life altering but what about an unexpected pregnancy while still in college? Below are some tips on how to continue your stay in college while having a healthy and happy pregnancy. The advice I am providing is given, following the assumption that you have chosen to proceed with the pregnancy.

An unexpected positive pregnancy test can and will yield some uneasy thoughts but the first thing you have to do is evaluate your particular situation. Realistically evaluating your situation and researching your pregnancy at the time you find out that you are pregnant will be very beneficial. Do you live on or off your college campus? What is the distance from your home to your college classes? Will your health insurance lapse if you drop below full time enrollment or take a semester off? Do you have to do a lot of walking or climb a lot of stairs to get to your classes? Is it the beginning, middle, or end of your semester? Where will you be in your pregnancy at the end of the semester? What is the average length of your college classes? Determine where you will be in your pregnancy at the end of the semester. Realize that the end of the semester is college finals time and your physical demands and mind set WILL NOT be the same as it is at the time you find out that you are pregnant. Either way, there are three major routes that can be taken in order to maintain your academic success and create an environment for a healthy pregnancy.

One of the most seemingly convenient routes is to enroll as a guest student at a community college. Because it is more common for students of all walks of life to attend community colleges, the professors and school guidelines are a lot more accommodating than large college campuses. Traditionally, community colleges have a less strenuous curriculum than that of a university with classes less frequent as well. The convenience of the location of many community colleges allows you to decrease the expenses of university dorm costs, high tuition costs, and fees. I transferred to a community college the semester after I found out I was pregnant and saved over $5,000, not including living expenses!

However, certain conditions may not be ideal to leave your home university to become a guest student at smaller institution. In these cases, you must find the best ways to create an environment that is healthy for you and your unborn child. First and foremost, do not hide your pregnancy from your professors. In some cases, they may make side accommodations for you because they are sympathetic to your situation. But don't kid yourself, some professors could care less so be careful of your hormones knowing that some people are just plain jerks. Often times university campuses offer services that will also be of great help, which are included right in your tuition that you have yet to discover. You're paying for them, why not use them! First, make an appointment with the university psychologist. This is a great benefit and may be very crucial with the pressures of school, home, and health plaguing your mind not to mention your stomach every morning. Also, visit your campus health center. Some university campuses include services provided in the building in your tuition.

While realizing that your physical obligations to your unborn child will be much different in the months to come, no matter what type of institution you decide to spend the remainder of your pregnancy, your workload may also need to be decreased.

Last but not least, you may have to suck it up and take a semester off from college. The truth of the matter is that you have no idea what the next 9 or 10 months will bring and this may be the safest bet. You won't risk having to withdraw from expensive university classes too late in the semester because of your health and losing money. You can also spend the necessary time taking care of yourself and your unborn child. The main risk of taking the semester off is complete and utter boredom, especially while not living the exciting college life. While everyone is at school and work, you're in the house, so find something with minimum stress to occupy your time until your little bundle arrives.

The most important thing to remember is decrease your stress level wherever and whenever possible for you and your unborn child.