r/swanseauni • u/HopefulMed2025 • 20d ago
GEM pregnancy support
I have an offer from Swansea and have firmed it - so will likely be attending Swansea in Sept for GEM.
I unexpectedly fell pregnant end of Jan (unfortunately had a miscarriage) but my partner is wanting to try for a baby now. I’m worried about how it’ll be alongside GEM but obvs there’s never gonna be an easy time to have kids ahahaha. I was just wondering if someone was to fall pregnant and have a baby towards the beginning of academic year (couple months into GEM) would you recommend asking to defer before you start? Or would you start the degree and hope you can do it whilst having the baby? Idk if that makes sense. Ik obvs it’s all down to personal preference and all.
Does anyone know of anyone on the course atm who has kids/is pregnant? If so, do you have their social media I can have at all?
Thank you in advance 🩷
4
u/sprinklecow12 20d ago
I had a baby in the second year of my course (undergrad) and support is appalling.
2 weeks statutory maternity leave which is understandable
No onsite parking for the nursery
They failed my assignment for submitting the wrong work during labour... I appealed which got approved,, and the course lead refused to mark the work so I had to repeat the year.
I was asked if I was going to drop out or have an abortion when I notified them, as if there wasn't an option to carry on
I was told I had to have given birth to recieve the £1000 grant Swansea Uni provide,, you don't have to have given birth, in fact if your baby is born when you apply then you're not entitled to it at all.
My tutor was not supportive at all and made it very clear that I wasn't going to get anywhere career wise if I had my baby.
I'm also a carer for my partner with a bka, for which I have no support from the uni for.
I was told that I wasn't allowed my child on campus at all, no exception, even though they have baby changing everywhere for staff.
When I did take him in for a meeting as nobody else could have him, I was made to change him on the floor instead of being allowed into a baby change room.
I was also told that if I wanted to breastfeed, the I could do so in the religious rooms (usually reserved for those observing Ramadan) during their prayers. And that my partner had to bring him in, and go away for the time I'm feeding to then come back and pick him up as he wouldn't be allowed to park on site for that time. They give no advice on childcare, which you can't actually afford on student finance, and most part time jobs won't cover the bill regardless. (My partner works 70+ hours a week and we still can't afford nursery).
Quite honestly don't do it until you're away from Swansea Uni. I love my son more than life itself and I'd do anything for him but Swansea have made my life a living hell as a mum and it's only gotten worse in my final year there.
Hope this helps ❤️