So you have a positive pregnancy test and you’re already enrolled in college for the semester.. is it possible to balance school and pregnancy? While it may seem overwhelming at first, lots of women before you have balanced school and pregnancy. It may not be easy, but you can do anything with a plan in place!
Let’s take a look at a few of the challenges you may encounter and how to prepare for them.
Challenge 1: Morning sickness
Morning sickness is nausea or vomiting that you usually experience in the first three months of pregnancy. Here are a few ways to reduce morning sickness:
- Keep snacks by your bed! Eat a few crackers or almonds when you get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and before you get out of bed in the morning.
- Eat smaller meals throughout the day instead of three bigger meals.
- Eat lots of protein – think boiled eggs, cheese, and nuts.
- Drink plenty of water!
- Avoid smells that will trigger your nausea.
Challenge 2: Busy schedule
A busy schedule may limit your time between activities to grab food, so it’s best to plan ahead! Pack your lunch and extra snacks to bring with you! This will ensure you can eat when you get hungry.
Challenge 3: Finding energy to finish homework/ study
In your first and third trimester, your body will require more rest than usual. If you find yourself sleepy while doing homework or studying, remember that it’s important to rest. A good plan would be to schedule time when you know you will be the most alert to do your homework. This might be the morning compared to the afternoon. Try to work with your body instead of against it!
The most important piece of advice is to remember that you are carrying a beautiful life inside of you! It’s easy to let the things going on in our lives stress us out, but the main priority is taking care of yourself, which in turn takes care of your baby.
Daybreak LifeCare Center offers free pregnancy test and options counseling. Schedule a free appointment with us today by calling (803) 771-6634.