Pregnant during grad school?

[TakeruK]

I've always been very jealous of Canadian maternity/paternity leave :-)  Here, you're treated like you're irresponsible or made a mistake, creating a problem for others, rather than being supported.  That's not always the case, but it's the vast, vast majority.  

 

Although the law and policies are very supportive of parents, this doesn't necessarily mean the people that implement these policies are always so supportive, unfortunately. So I think there is still a lot of improvement that could happen in Canada! Laws and policies are a great first step, but education and training for professors to treat people fairly, whether or not they have children, is an important second step!

 

I was really surprised to find out that the standard in the US is 12 weeks of unpaid(!!) leave. There is a bill in the California state assembly though that will help improve rights of pregnant grad students: AB 2350.

 

You can follow its status here: http://openstates.org/ca/bills/20132014/AB2350/ (and also read the full text). So far, it's passed the Assembly with no dissenting votes and is under review by the Senate. 

 

If it passes, it would be one step closer to better parental rights for graduate students!

[NK1]

I went through this topic, although on one side I am feeling positive but on otherhand I feel apprhensive.

I am married, working full time and I am planning to get back to school to do my graduation.It is after a long break (almost 10 yrs now), since I did my under graduation.

The course I am planning to pick is Masters in Electronics and computer science engineering. Since I did my under graduation in the same field and I also work in the same field as PCB designer.

I know that it practically possible to do masters when you are working. But me and my husband have plans to start the family next year which is when I will be starting my course work.

So I want to know how hard it would for me and family to manage all three at a same time? Between I am not in a rush to complete the course within 2 years. I want to take it easy, say like doing 1 course per semester in the initial period and then gaining momentum closer to the end of 5 years.

My wish is to get admitted to online degree in one of the good schools, that way I can avoid the commute time. Also when I enquired few grad schools they mentioned that the course should be completed in 5 yrs and 6 yrs in some.

Any thoughts / ideas based on your experience please flood in, I need to know what I am actually getting into and be prepared for it.