With homework, social life and financial pressures, college can be a stressful time. Try compounding that with pregnancy.

While no record exists on how many pregnant students attend BYU, Student Health Center Insurance Supervisor Diane Hunter said the SHC sold 4,550 insurance policies this semester that could include student maternity coverage.

Certified Nurse Midwife Betty Ann Elliott said many of her clients are BYU students on the health care plan. These students face unique challenges.

"You need a lot of rest all through pregnancy," Elliott said. "If you're busy with classes and homework you can't get that.

"The other challenges change through pregnancy. You basically have three stages. You have the nausea, fatigue and headaches of the first trimester that make it hard to sit through classes.

"The second trimester isn't usually so bad. You're not too big and usually have more energy.

"Then you have what I call the beached whale trimester. It's hard to move, to fit into the desk. You're large and uncomfortable. Walking and carrying books can be hard."

Tami Varner, a senior majoring in English, said she struggled through the last trimester.

"I was always tired," Varner said. "Especially because I couldn't take a nap with school and work. That made me moody - not only towards my husband, but towards my teachers.

"The hardest, hardest part, though, was just walking up the hill to class, loaded down with books. Right at the end of the semester, I was as big as a house. You get a lot of stares, I think, with a big old belly."

Dana Palmer, a sophomore majoring in food science nutrition, said she didn't want to face school during pregnancy.

"I talked to my mom, and she told me how, with her first pregnancy, she was so sick," Palmer said. "I talked to other girls who had been sick, too, and decided I wanted to take that time off. It was a good thing I did."

Palmer said she was sick for seven months of her pregnancy.

Those attempting to tackle school during pregnancy meet with varied results.

Crystal Wolfe, a senior majoring in microbiology, said she stayed in school during her first pregnancy, but nearly failed.

"It was a horrible semester," Wolfe said. "I was shell-shocked when I found out I was pregnant. My husband was really excited, and I tried to be, but it was hard because I was so sick and it was ruining my grades.

"I had to sit at the back of classes so I could go throw up and try to make it back to lecture. Once I got out of school, it was so much easier."

Elliott said students experiencing difficult pregnancies should consider rearranging their schedules.

"Somehow, we have to find an area of wisdom between putting women to bed when they're pregnant, like they used to do, and having the attitude that they can do everything up to the last minute," she said. "But you may not be able to do those 12 or 14 credit semesters, particularly if you are working and have a hard pregnancy.

"I know a lot of our young women feel a great pressure to get their education, but many leave school after a year and a half to be a full time mom, then come back while their children are still young. It's not such a bad option."

Palmer said she plans to return to school once her daughter is a year old.

"I have to re-apply," she said. "But I talked to a counselor, and she basically told me they favor moms who want to come back and get an education. It shouldn't be too hard to get back in."

Though some struggle, many pregnant students continue in school without major problems.

"During finals last semester, I was sick," said Jennifer Hawkes, a senior majoring in community health education, who is expecting her child on August 11. "It's hard to take tests when you feel like throwing up, but it really hasn't been too bad. I've been really lucky."

Wolfe is in her second pregnancy as a BYU student and said things are going much better this time.

"I'm working out a lot more and eating a lot healthier," she said. "I believe that totally makes the difference."

Wolfe also suggested talking to teachers when things get tough.

"They're so understanding when you talk to them," she said. "If they know you're sick, most of them will really work with you."

Elliott gave several suggestions to help women have a healthier, more comfortable pregnancy.

"If you're really fatigued, you've got to give in to that and lie down," she said. "I know BYU has those couches in the bathrooms you can lie down on.

"It's also very important that you get enough fluid and enough to eat. If you're nauseous during the first trimester, just focus on getting something in your body. Later on you can look more to getting a balanced diet."

She also emphasized the importance of moderate exercise.

"Basically, you've got to have wisdom in taking care of yourself. Your baby deserves that."



Copyright Brigham Young University 18 Mar 2003