Waiting to hear about 8 applications and just found out I am expecting

[eyeswideopen0]

Waiting it out is hard but what do you do when you are expecting a little one around September. I can't even imagine starting a PhD program and giving birth. Has it been done before?

Edited December 22, 2013 by eyeswideopen0

[Guest Gnome Chomsky]

Don't let Pinkster see this thread. 

[TakeruK]

Congrats! I don't personally know anyone who has done this before. But I have seen policies in place at departments that would apply in these cases. They vary a lot from place to place though. I definitely would not reveal this information until admissions decisions have been made. Once you have some offers, I would definitely look up the graduate handbooks / policy guides online at all of the schools' webpages and see what kind of leave policy they have for students who are new parents. Also check policies for deferring admission. Sometimes schools won't let you defer so taking a leave might be an alternative. Maybe letting the faculty know about your pregnancy after they have accepted you, at some appropriate time (usually when it's your time to grill the schools about their programs because you're making the decision) could be a good thing since they might also help you find the right resources and/or arrange for ways they can help you.

 

I don't know what your plans are and I don't want to assume that you are necessarily wanting to take much time off at all. I just wanted to suggest looking up the leave/deferral policies for each school in case knowing possible plans of action can be a comfort while you wait! Also note that while some schools may have very generous leave policies, they might require you to be enrolled for a certain amount of time first, so check that too. Whatever you decide to do, I hope the best for you and good luck!!

[snakex]

Congratulations! I would do as other posters have said and look into deferrment (some schools allow deferrment up to one year) and leave. Many schools have provisions for both. I do, however, know of some people who have been pregnant/had young children while in grad school!

Good Luck!

[Meanyus]

My wife had our first son a week before I graduated from my undergrad. So while it is a slightly different situation, I can say that having a small child in grad school can be pretty time consuming. I am lucky in that I don't like to go out drinking, so my little guy gives me a convenient excuse to skip out on a lot of parties I have no desire to attend.

 

I'm glad my spouse has been supportive when I've said I needed to reclude myself and study, but having a kid in grad school does not make it all that much harder if you are good at balancing your schedule.

[ImpulsiveNixie]

Waiting it out is hard but what do you do when you are expecting a little one around September. I can't even imagine starting a PhD program and giving birth. Has it been done before?

OMG - I almost had the same situation recently but thankfully it was just a scare (not that my partner and I wouldn't have been overjoyed the timing was just... Off). I was terrified and started looking into the programs that I was applying to... Some allowed for delayed admissions and some didn't. It was up to the department. Hopefully, your programs are the delayed admissions.

And to the question of if it has been done before...

I know plenty of people (more specifically women) that have gone through the grad program with kiddos (age range 1-6) and they have been able to manage. Was it easy? Nope. It takes a lot of support and flexibility. If you do choose to go into the program (I think you should) just remember everything is temporary and you are working for the greater good.

[colorless]

OMG - I almost had the same situation recently but thankfully it was just a scare (not that my partner and I wouldn't have been overjoyed the timing was just... Off). I was terrified and started looking into the programs that I was applying to... Some allowed for delayed admissions and some didn't. It was up to the department. Hopefully, your programs are the delayed admissions.

And to the question of if it has been done before...

I know plenty of people (more specifically women) that have gone through the grad program with kiddos (age range 1-6) and they have been able to manage. Was it easy? Nope. It takes a lot of support and flexibility. If you do choose to go into the program (I think you should) just remember everything is temporary and you are working for the greater good.

 

Love your last sentence.

[SunL1219]

Has been done. One of my professors did it. It's gonna be hard, I'm sure but don't be discouraged! (also one of my fears)