Pregnancy & parenting resources

Students who are planning to become pregnant during medical school are encouraged to work with Dr. Gerald Tolbert, Interim Associate Dean for Student Affairs in Seattle, or their Foundations Dean to talk through how this could affect their curriculum, timelines, and schedule.

  • WA – Seattle:

    Dr. Gerald Tolbert, Interim Associate Dean for Student Affairs; 206.616.7068

UW Disability Resources for Students (DRS) is able to provide accommodations for students with qualified disabilities throughout the WWAMI region, which can include pregnancy. Accommodations can be made in the classroom or in the clinical setting.

Email: uwdrs@uw.edu
Phone: 206.543.8924

Lactation room amenities vary per site. Each site should be able to provide access to a private, lockable room that contains a chair and table. Students should not be expected to pump in a bathroom. Students should notify their Foundations dean or clerkship site director if the amenities are not adequate. If students feel that they are not being supported by their dean or site director, they should contact the Director of the Learning Environment and/or the Associate Dean for Student Affairs immediately.

Foundations Locations

Clinical Locations

  • WA – Seattle:

    Student parents at the UW can find the resources they need to support the successful completion of their degree, including general UW childcare and parenting resources listed here. The UW Childcare Assistance Program (formerly known as the Student Parent Resource Center) is designed to assist UW Seattle campus students in covering the costs of licensed childcare for their children (ages birth – 12 years old) while enrolled in an eligible program of study to reduce the second primary barrier to attaining a higher education. This award is funded by Student & Activity fees paid by students attending the Seattle Campus. To apply for Childcare Assistance, please visit the Application Process web page. If you need help finding a childcare provider, please click here. For additional information, please visit UW Childcare Assistance Resources, email caposfa@uw.edu, or phone 206.543.1041.

On-site childcare at UW:

UW Children’s Centers serve faculty, staff, and students by providing year-round, on-site infant, toddler, and preschool childcare at four Seattle campus locations. The Children’s Centers at West Campus and Portage Bay serve primarily UW faculty and staff. The Children’s Centers at Radford Court and Laurel Village give some priority to UW students in family housing. Enrollment priority and tuition cost vary for each location, and you must put your name in the wait pool before enrolling; the average wait time for space is 2-3 years.

Off-site childcare for UW students:

UW students are eligible for priority access for off-site childcare at all Bright Horizons centers and select KinderCare centers on a first-come, first-served basis. Priority access does not guarantee placement, but it will move you up their wait pool as a UW priority.

  • WA – Spokane:

    Gonzaga University does not provide campus-affiliated childcare services. Please contact your Foundations dean and staff for guidance.

  • WA – Seattle:

UW offers in-center and in-home sick and backup childcare through KinderCare and Bright Horizons to eligible students at the Seattle, Bothell, and Tacoma campuses. Examples of when to take advantage of these services are:

    • Your child is mildly ill and can’t go back to their care center yet (in-home care)
    • Your regular caregiver is unavailable (center or in-home care)
    • Your child’s school is closed (center or in-home care)
    • You are between care arrangements (center or in-home care)
    • You are transitioning back to work after leave (center or in-home care)

E-mail childcare@uw.edu if you have questions about UW’s backup care program.

  • WA – Spokane:

Gonzaga University does not provide campus-affiliated childcare services. Please contact your Foundations dean and staff for guidance.

  • WY – Laramie:

University of Wyoming does not offer campus-affiliated sick or backup childcare services. Please contact your Foundations dean and staff for guidance.

  • MT – Bozeman:

Montana State University does not offer campus-affiliated sick or backup childcare services. Please contact your Foundations dean and staff for guidance.

  • ID – Moscow:

Idaho State University does not offer campus-affiliated sick or backup childcare services. Please contact your Foundations dean and staff for guidance.

  • WA – Seattle:

UW Family Housing is available for registered full-time students (at least 10 credits per quarter for graduate students) at the Seattle campus who want to live with their family in on-campus housing. A family is defined as a married couple, with or without children, or a single parent with one or more dependent children. Dependent children are defined as children less than the age of 18 who are under your legal custody, or children who are age 18 or older who are claimed as dependents on your tax return. Same-sex domestic partnerships are accepted from jurisdictions that do not allow same-sex marriage. There are currently three family housing communities that accommodate students with children:

    • Blakeley Village:
      • For students with children: single parents, married couples
      • 2- and 3-bedroom apartments
    • Laurel Village:
      • For students with children; single parents, married couples
      • 2- and 3-bedroom apartments
    • Radford Court:
      • For students with or without children; single students, married couples
      • 1- 2- and 3-bedroom apartments

The UW Family Housing Eligibility website has much more information including eligibility and priority system, billing and payments, FAQs, and off-campus housing resources. If you have questions that the websites do not answer, please email hfsinfo@uw.edu or phone 206.543.4059.

There is a wait list, which can be quite long; some students can wait up to several months for placement, so applying early is advised. We recommend you start the process as soon as you or your partner become pregnant.

  • WA – Spokane:

The Gonzaga University (GU) Department of Housing and Residence Life is a comprehensive program of housing information and assistance for all students, but primarily serves “traditional-aged” full-time undergraduate students with on- and off-campus resources owned or operated by GU. However, they also provide assistance searching for living accommodations in the greater Spokane area for older students, families, etc. The GU virtual bulletin board will point you in the direction of both GU-owned and non-GU owned off-campus properties you may be interested in. For further information on GU’s off-campus properties, residency requirements, or to obtain an application, please contact the off-campus Residence Director at (509) 313-4112 or email offcampushousing@gonzaga.edu.

  • WY – Laramie:

The University of Wyoming Apartments and Bison Run Village provide the only on-campus housing in Laramie for student families. The apartment pricing is all-inclusive with one flat monthly rate, which also affords access to campus transport, 24-hour emergency maintenance, free parking, laundry facilities, the Community Center, satellite TV, and WiFi. The apartment complexes most geared towards families are:

    • Landmark Village:
      • Primarily features two-bedroom apartments, which are available either furnished or unfurnished. All apartments have extra storage in the bedroom and pantry area, as well as washer and electric dryer hookups. Play equipment for kids is located in each courtyard.
    • River Village:
      • Features two- and three-bedroom apartments. which are available either furnished or unfurnished (there is an additional monthly fee for furnished apartments), and include washer and electric dryer hookups and broadband Internet access. In addition, the complex has two large children’s play areas. (Note: A select number of River Village units will now be leased individually by the room.)

To check on specific apartment availability before applying, please phone the Leasing Coordinator at 307-766-6980 or email leasing@uwyo.edu. Click here to read more about eligibility requirements and the pets policy.

  • MT – Bozeman:

Montana State University (MSU) Student Housing offers family housing in the form of the following apartment/townhouse complexes:

    • Branegan Court:
      • Branegan Court, located near the ASMSU Daycare, offers 2-bedroom family-style apartments and 2-bedroom townhouses; all units have dishwashers and there is a free shared laundry facility per building. Water, garbage, heat, and electricity are included in the rent. The complex is next to the Grant Chamberlain field and near three parks, so there is plenty of space for outdoor activities.
    • McIntosh Court:
      • MSU’s newest family-style complex, located near the ASMSU Daycare, is comprised of 3-bedroom townhouses and accessible flats. These apartments have washer/dryer hookups and 1.5 bathrooms. McIntosh Court is an active family area, providing lots of green space around the buildings and quick access to two playgrounds and a field for lots of outdoor play. Water, garbage, and wired and wireless campus internet access are included in the rent.
    • Paisley Court:
      • A family-style apartment complex with 2- or 3-bedroom options, Paisley Court is conveniently located near the ASMSU Daycare and next to the intramural fields and a centrally located park, so there is plenty of space for outdoor activities. Each building shares one free laundry facility. Water, sewer, garbage, and wired and wireless campus internet access are included in the rent. Some units have dishwashers.
    •  West Side Houses:
      • This family-style option located near the ASMSU Daycare offers added privacy via 2- and 3-bedroom standalone houses, each of which have washer/dryer hookups, but no dishwasher. Rent includes water and garbage, but not internet or any other utilities. Street parking is available at no cost. The houses are located 0.25 miles away from a playground and large field, offering plenty of space for outdoor activities.

  • ID – Moscow:

Idaho State University (ISU) Student Housing offers family housing in the form of the following apartment/townhouse complexes:

    • South Hill:
      •  This complex offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom townhouse-style units. Internet, water, sewer, and garbage are included in the rent; residents pay for electricity. Washer/dryer hookups are available (electric). The kitchens are equipped with refrigerator, stove, oven, and garbage disposal. The complex has playgrounds and large green spaces. Parking is available in a private lot with a Green lot parking permit purchase. 6-month through 12-month contracts are available.
    • South Hill Vista:
      •  This complex offers two-, three-, and four-bedroom townhouse-style units. Internet, water, sewer, and garbage are included in the rent; residents pay for gas and electricity. Washer/dryer hookups are available (electric). The kitchens are equipped with refrigerator, stove, oven, and garbage disposal. The complex has playgrounds and large green spaces. Parking is available in a private lot with a Green lot parking permit purchase. 6-month through 12-month contracts are available.

If you are a pregnant or parenting student, there may be additional stressors in your life as you work to balance both school and family. Remember that the UWSOM offers free and confidential counseling for medical students, and their services are available to you and your partner/spouse. Records are kept completely separate from academic records and are never shared with administration. MD/PhD students continue to have access to the UWSOM Counseling and Wellness Service while they complete their PhD program. For a list of counselors throughout the WWAMI region, visit the UWSOM Counseling and Wellness website.

The University of Washington also offers counseling for UW students through the Counseling Center.

UW Center for Pediatric Dentistry

The University of Washington Center for Pediatric Dentistry is dedicated to providing the best quality dental services for children:

  • Comprehensive preventive and restorative dental services for children 0 – 18 years
  • Specialized services for children with autism, Down syndrome and other special needs
  • Convenient scheduling; reduced wait times for appointments
  • General anesthesia/sedation services for children of all ages
  • Social work staff to help with financial aid, transportation and interpretation services
  • Welcome most insurance, including Medicaid/Provider One (Apple Health)
  • 16 chairs dedicated only to serving children

For more information, phone 206.543.5800 between 8AM-5PM PT.

UW Center for Child and Family Well-Being (CCFW)

The Center for Child and Family Well-being promotes the positive development and well-being of children, from infancy through adolescence, particularly those experiencing disadvantage and adversity. Using a bio-ecological or “whole-child” approach that supports the roles of parents, families, schools, and communities in children’s resilience, the CCFW works to infuse mindfulness, compassion, and social-emotional skills into the lives of children, parents, caregivers, educators, and practitioners.

Program for Early Parent Support (PEPS)

Since 1983, the Program for Early Parent Support (PEPS), a nonprofit organization in the Puget Sound region, has helped thousands of parents connect through peer-support groups and grow as they begin their journey into parenthood. PEPS’ parent support programs educate, inform. and create community. Each session of 12 weekly PEPS meetings brings parents together to share the joys and challenges of parenthood and develop confidence in their own abilities. PEPS stands apart from other new moms groups or dads groups by providing ongoing neighborhood-based resources and peer education facilitated by trained volunteers.

 

Pregnancy & parenting resources