Advice for pregnant students - University of Liverpool

Advice to Students who become
Pregnant during their Course of Study
The purpose of this document is to ensure that if you become pregnant while you are a student at the University
of Liverpool you know where to seek advice about your own health, the health of your child, the management of
your course of study and any benefits and services available to you. Advice and support is also available for
partners of pregnant students.
Early action
It is important to obtain sound advice as soon as you know you are pregnant. Delay can cause problems
later on, whether you are considering a termination or a continuation of the pregnancy. If you believe you are
pregnant because of missed periods or because you have used an 'over the counter' pregnancy test, you should
have your pregnancy confirmed, or otherwise, by a doctor as soon as possible.
You can obtain confidential advice from the Student Health Centre or at the Student Health Advice Centre,
Carnatic Halls (SHAC), even if you are not registered with one of the doctors there, or you can consult your own
GP. If you prefer to go outside the University for advice, there are a number of agencies that you can visit,
including the Marie Stopes Foundation. (see further sources of advice for more details)
Your future plans and action
If you make the decision to terminate your pregnancy there is no need for any staff or students at the university
to know about this but if you are away from classes you should let your Departmental Tutor, Programme Director
or Supervisor know that you will be away for 'medical reasons'. A note from a doctor should be provided to
justify your absence but this does not have to specify the exact reason. You may also want to seek support to
help you cope with this, from University services or other specialist services
If your pregnancy is to continue, your doctor will arrange for you to be registered for ante-natal care. It is very
important that you let your Departmental Tutor, Programme Director or Supervisor know as soon as possible.
The reasons for doing this are to make the best plans for your course of study and examinations and also to
ensure any special measures needed for your safety and the safety of your child. Remember, the greatest risk to
an unborn child from exposure to chemicals and radiations occurs in the first 13 weeks of the pregnancy. Should
you feel uneasy about telling your Department, seek advice from Student Support Services in the Student
Services Centre.
Risk Assessments
Once you have informed your Department, they will complete a Risk Assessment with you to identify any
relevant risks associated with your study programme and to manage these risks for your protection. The main
risks are associated with physical activity or exposure to some chemicals, radiation and biological agents. The
Department may consult the University Safety Adviser’s Office when completing the Risk Assessment.
Planning Ahead
You will also need to plan with your Department the impact of your pregnancy on your course of study. You are
entitled to interrupt your course of study because of pregnancy and it is important to make a plan to take
account both of the academic requirements of your study programme and your needs as a pregnant mother. You
will be expected not to attend the university for two weeks after birth. Normally, the maximum period of
interruption allowed is one year.
You will need to plan according to your individual circumstances and the timing of the academic year. For
example for a baby due in July there need not be an interruption of studies but for a baby due in December the
best option may be to suspend for a full academic year (December to December). If your baby is due near to or
during an examination period you should seek advice from your GP, as the university may need confirmation
that you are able to sit the exams. The risk assessment undertaken by your department should
include recommendations regarding any precautions to be taken in these circumstances.

You should also arrange with your Department any absences needed for attendance at ante-natal clinics.
Students whose partners are pregnant may similarly apply to their Departments for interruptions to cover the
birth of their partner's child and also to make any arrangements for attendance at ante-natal clinics with their
partner.
Finance
Your student loan can continue for up to 60 days from the beginning of any interruption of study. You will need
to inform the Student Loan Company of your circumstances.
You will also need to apply for maternity benefit and information about this can be obtained through your antenatal
clinic or from Student Support Services, Student Services Centre, who will also help you with your
approach to the Student Loan Company. See below for information on benefits that can be claimed by students
with dependants. Graduate students in receipt of Research Council or other awards should contact the sponsor
and make arrangements for the suspension of the award during the period of interruption.
Overseas Students
Overseas students are unlikely to be entitled to maternity benefit and the university recommends that they
should return home unless they have sufficient funds to remain in the UK. Overseas students who have financial
sponsors must inform the sponsors of their circumstances and agree an appropriate plan of action. Overseas
students who return home for the birth of the child should note that most airlines will not carry pregnant
passengers after 7 months of pregnancy have elapsed. Also, overseas students returning home should arrange
for continuing ante-natal care in their home country and take with them details of any care they have received in
the UK.
Please contact the International Support Team in the Student Services Centre for more advice on suspending
your studies and returning home. The team can give comprehensive immigration advice and support you with
any concerns you may have. The team can be contacted at ist@liv.ac.uk or for more information call 0151 794
5863.
Special considerations
Field work
If you plan to take part in field work whilst pregnant, this must be specifically addressed in the Risk Assessment
completed by the Department as there may be special risks associated with the field work. You will not be
permitted to take part in field work after 7 months of pregnancy have elapsed.
Year abroad
Students who become pregnant whilst on a year abroad should contact their personal tutor/supervisor to make
appropriate plans to ensure that their health is safeguarded and their academic progress is properly managed.
Mitigating circumstances
If you are unwell during your pregnancy you should let your Department know and provide notes from your
doctor as evidence of this. The University’s Mitigating Circumstances Policy in relation to performance in
assessment and exams is on the web at www.liv.ac.uk/tqsd/pol_strat_cop/mit_circ_policy.doc. There are also
Student Guidelines on Mitigating Circumstances available at
www.liv.ac.uk/tqsd/pol_strat_cop/mit_circ_student.doc.
Returning to the university
Academic considerations
Let your Department know when you are ready to return and plan with your Tutor or Supervisor the optimum
timetable for your re-integration into your programme of study, including the examination schedule.
Finance
Inform the Student Loan Company or financial sponsor of your plans to return to study once these have been
agreed with your Department.

Benefits for Students with Dependants
Students with dependants can claim:
Child Benefit (from the CB office in Newcastle)
Housing Benefit (from the Local Authority)
Income Support (usually only in the summer from the Department for Work and Pensions)
Dependant's Grant (for students on NHS funded courses)
Parent's Learning Allowance (for students on both NHS and LA funded courses)
Child Tax Credits (from the Inland Revenue)
Childcare Grant (for students on both NHS and LA funded courses).
All the above are income assessed apart from child benefit. The Financial Support Team, Student Support Services,
Student Services Centre can advise you on how to apply for these benefits
Childcare
This will need advance planning. It is advisable to begin to make arrangements at the beginning of your
pregnancy. The university operates a Day Nursery (the University of Liverpool Children’s Centre), with fees
partially subsidised by the university, but places are limited and there is a waiting list. A website address is
provided below for other sources of child care.
Breast feeding
You may need to request facilities to express and store breast milk. Please contact your department about this
and they will make arrangements to provide facilities which give privacy and are hygienic.
Further Sources of Advice
Internal
Student Support Services
0151 794 5863
http://www.liv.ac.uk/studentsupport/
Student Health
0151 794 4720/5820
http://www.liv.ac.uk/sas/studentservices/studenthealth/index.htm
The Counselling Service
0151 794 3304
http://www.liv.ac.uk/counserv/
University Children’s Centre
http://www.liv.ac.uk/sas/studentservices/childcare/index.htm
Head of Student Services, Student Administration and Support
0151 794 2243
External
Brook
0151 207 4000
http://www.brook.org.uk
Liverpool City Council Family Planning webpage
http://www.liverpool.gov.uk/Social_issues/Family_planning/index.asp
Marie Stopes Foundation
[020 7574 7400 or www.mariestopes.org.uk]
Childcare website
http://www.childcarelink.gov.uk/
Acknowledgement;
The University acknowledges that this guidance document is based on the policy produced by University College,
London