I'm dreading teaching class next week...

[slsurface]

Ok, long story but I will try to keep it short. I am an adjunct prof at a large research university where I teach two classes. I recently found out that I am preggo with LO#2. DH and I were planning, so this is not a surprise. I am still in my first trimester and I am not showing yet.

On Tuesday of last week, I started hemorrhaging about 20 minutes into my morning class - large amounts of blood! I immediately dismissed class. Several students started asking why and I decided honesty was the best strategy. I told them that I may be having a miscarriage. This news clearly upset some of my students, because they emailed later wishing me well. I spent a day in the hospital, most of last week on bed rest, and eventually got news that I am still preggo - I did not loose the baby .

Even though things have turned out fine, I'm am now dreading facing this class next week. How should I handle it? I really didn't want this pregnancy to become public knowledge just yet. But I know there will be a lot of questions from the students. It's just so difficult, because there isn't much of a line between private and public when you are a professor. What would you do in my situation?

[Sorin]

I would just make a quick announcement at the start of class.

"Thank you to all of you who expressed concern last week. I've been given a clean bill of health. Now, everyone open your book to p. 67 . . ."

No need to worry about it. No need to go into a lot of detail. Just keep it short and sweet and move on.

[physmom]

I went the chicken route when I was pregnant and never told my students. The class went until I was 5 months pregnant and I'm pretty sure the kids just figured I was eating too much ice cream.

In your situation, I'd probably email the students who asked you directly and just say you're fine. Maybe say something to the effect that you're happy everything is OK but now it's time to get your focus back on academics? Being pregnant and being an academic is not easy, good luck!!!!!!

[slsurface]

Originally Posted by physmom

I went the chicken route when I was pregnant and never told my students. The class went until I was 5 months pregnant and I'm pretty sure the kids just figured I was eating too much ice cream.

Yeah, this is totally what I did when I was preggo with DS. I was planning the same thing this time around. I will only be just starting my second trimester at the end of the semester, so I figured I wouldn't even be showing this fall. I thought would surprise the department when I came in plumper after the winter break. I only hope that my students don't go blabbing this everywhere! It's hard enough being preggo in academia, but really tenious when still at the adjunct level .

[Carita]

good advice from the PP.

just wanted to offer hugs - that must have been so scary to happen in the middle of class!

[slsurface]

Originally Posted by Carita

good advice from the PP.

just wanted to offer hugs - that must have been so scary to happen in the middle of class!

Yeah, honestly I think I am going through a little post-traumatic stress over it...

Thanks for the hug.

[Penelope]

ITA with Sorin. You might end up having a few follow-up conversations, but your honesty with them in the moment will speak volumes. It's still such a stigma to talk about lost pregnancies, and probably some of your students have had, or will have, losses - you've just made them feel less alone.

I'm so sorry you had a scare, and glad you're still expecting.

[XanaduMama]

Originally Posted by Sorin

I would just make a quick announcement at the start of class.

"Thank you to all of you who expressed concern last week. I've been given a clean bill of health. Now, everyone open your book to p. 67 . . ."

No need to worry about it. No need to go into a lot of detail. Just keep it short and sweet and move on.

I agree with this. Personally (and I'm a college prof too, and have taught a whole semester while heavily pg), I'd downplay it in a matter-of-fact way and just move on.

[readytobedone]

Originally Posted by slsurface

I really didn't want this pregnancy to become public knowledge just yet. But I know there will be a lot of questions from the students. It's just so difficult, because there isn't much of a line between private and public when you are a professor. What would you do in my situation?

is it that you don't want them to spread the news to other profs and such? if it's that, i would just tell them that going forward you appreciate their discretion about the pregnancy, as you really didn't plan to announce just yet, and only did because of the scare in class.

or you could just decide to tell your employer earlier than you'd planned. you're looking at a summer baby, right, so this shouldn't affect next term?