npa nvq level 3, what hqppens if you fall pregnant half in the middle of the course ?

[pamelaann]

Can u still continue ? Or can u still finish it ?

[hibernia]

Pregnancy is a normal physiological condition. Some would argue that pregnancy or lactation are the natural conditions of a woman of reproductive age.
Unless you are unfortunate and experience problems with your pregnancy there is no reason why you can't do almost all the things you do when you aren't pregnant. You will be more tired than usual so have to allow for that but you aren't ill so there is no need to change your routine very much.

[dizzyb23]

Speak to your tutor/pharmacist or course provider for their advice but i've known a couple of ladies finish their studies with only minimal disruptions. I fell very unwell with serious health problems during my course and with a bit of tweaking and a lot of phone calls, all went well in the end.

[weeneldo]

Pregnancy is a normal physiological condition. Some would argue that pregnancy or lactation are the natural conditions of a woman of reproductive age.
Unless you are unfortunate and experience problems with your pregnancy there is no reason why you can't do almost all the things you do when you aren't pregnant. You will be more tired than usual so have to allow for that but you aren't ill so there is no need to change your routine very much.

Surely depending on how busy a shop is, how cramped it is, how high and how low the stuff is kept and how much of a toll the work takes on a pregnant student will all affect how easy it is for them to successfully complete the course. I can imagine working in the shop would be difficult enough in the later stages of pregnancy without also having to do an NVQ and it would also be difficult with a newborn baby to look after. Obviously in the early stages, before physical symptoms of pregnancy show up, work shouldn't be affected too much, but once pregnancy gets advanced and mobility is restricted and all the other symptoms of carrying a baby inside you start to take effect, it isn't exactly the best environment for working and studying at the same time. Ignoring the physical and emotional symptoms of pregnancy, and ignoring biological functions, a pregnant woman has enough to worry about in terms of the pregnancy, childbirth and actually looking after the baby and providing for it (especially considering the wages of pharmacy staff, plus she might already have other kids, plus she might be on her own, plus there might be other issues you don't know about) to then also have the worry of trying to study for an NVQ. So sure she'll usually be OK to work for most of her pregnancy and possibly OK to keep going with her NVQ, but surely she should at least have the option to put her studies on standby for a couple of months?

[dizzyb23]

Surely depending on how busy a shop is, how cramped it is, how high and how low the stuff is kept and how much of a toll the work takes on a pregnant student will all affect how easy it is for them to successfully complete the course. I can imagine working in the shop would be difficult enough in the later stages of pregnancy without also having to do an NVQ and it would also be difficult with a newborn baby to look after. Obviously in the early stages, before physical symptoms of pregnancy show up, work shouldn't be affected too much, but once pregnancy gets advanced and mobility is restricted and all the other symptoms of carrying a baby inside you start to take effect, it isn't exactly the best environment for working and studying at the same time. Ignoring the physical and emotional symptoms of pregnancy, and ignoring biological functions, a pregnant woman has enough to worry about in terms of the pregnancy, childbirth and actually looking after the baby and providing for it (especially considering the wages of pharmacy staff, plus she might already have other kids, plus she might be on her own, plus there might be other issues you don't know about) to then also have the worry of trying to study for an NVQ. So sure she'll usually be OK to work for most of her pregnancy and possibly OK to keep going with her NVQ, but surely she should at least have the option to put her studies on standby for a couple of months?

I'm unsure as to the process of putting the NVQ studies on standby, but the people i've worked with managed really well and with some flexibility and support from all concerned, there shouldn't be any reason for not completing the course. You can also get extensions from the course provider so any deadlines for submitting work can be flexible. I suppose it just comes down to the student and their individual health during their pregnancy. As Hibernia said, if all is ok there is no need to change the normal work routine. I worked on a building site whilst I was pregnant!!! Apart from chucking up every five minutes for a few months, I was absolutely fine and had no problems. In the last couple of months, I just transferred into the offices....it's all about the individual and how they are coping. And about being sensible.

[lilly hunt]

i agree with dizzy i know someone on nvq 3 year one .but she will leave for maternity leave after completing year one . she rang the npa and they are going to put the course on hold for her for a year.so when she returns she can restart it again.they will put an extension time on for her.so do ring the npa to find out your options.as i suspect many females are in pharmacy who will we affected.regards.lilly.

[hibernia]

You can be sure you aren't the first person to become pregnant while doing the course and you won't be the last. I'm sure they are well used to dealing with women in your situation.