A young mum who gave birth to two children while at university in her early twenties, including going through contractions as she was handing in an essay, did not take any maternity leave from her job or time off from her studies despite “awful” pregnancies, instead opening her own booming business.
Bethany Sharp, 24, who lives with her husband, Tom Sharp, a builder, 29, and their daughter and son, who they wish to remain unnamed, started having contractions at her desk while handing in her final assignment in her second year of university and gave birth later that day. Within five months, she fell pregnant again.
The business director has no regrets about not taking maternity leave and would recommend it to other mothers “determined to achieve their dreams”, saying she hopes she acts as a strong example to her children, proving that if you work hard enough, you can achieve anything. Bethany graduated from university with a BA in graphic design from University Centre Farnborough, and credits not taking maternity leave as the reason she now has her “dream job” running a bridal shop with her best friend, adding she “wouldn’t change anything for the world”.
