Tiffany Liao

Staff Writer

As students approach the end of the year, many have witnessed a big baby boom that has swept Cal off its feet this semester, or at least into the maternity ward.

One teacher on campus is pregnant, nine teachers and  a counselor have delivered babies and one Cal teacher recently adopted a newborn.

Different pregnant teachers have their own reasons for the recent boom.

“It’s in the water,” said drama teacher Laura Woods, who recently gave birth to a  baby boy before spring break and is back in the classroom.

Teachers said the delivery experience brought tears but also smiles to their faces.

“It’s the best day of my life,” said Woods. “It’s painful, and in the C section, it’s extra hard. It’s totally worth it.”

Many teachers were stressed from work because of the planning for their maternity leaves.

“The stress comes from work, not from the baby. The baby calms me,” said leadership teacher Eileen Mantz, who gave birth to a girl last month. “The stress of leaving school is big especially from leadership. I created specific to-do lists to deal with the stress.”

Teachers’ stress not only affects the teachers’ themselves, but also their students.

Junior Alison Winter said the stress could be hard on students because during pregnancy teachers, like all women, tend to be emotional because of their changing hormones.

Baby names were given much thought, and teachers are drawn to names with deep meanings.

“Simon means he who hears,” Woods said of her son’s name. “I like the meaning. It’s my favorite boy’s name since I can remember.”

Other ideas include combinations of the parents’ name.

“Evelyn,” Mantz said of her daughter’s name. “My name is Eileen, and (the baby’s) dad is Eddy. We want to keep up with the ‘E’ theme.”

While some teachers advertise the names of their babies, others keep them secret.

“But it’ll be significant,” said English teacher Stacey Quick, who is due next month.

Many eager and excited teachers made changes in their lives to welcome their “baby grizzlies.”

“I set up a nursery, crib, dresser, and a bookshelf with baby books,” said Woods.

Mantz organized her own closet to leave space for her daughter’s clothes.

“They’re color coordinated and organized by size,” said Mantz.

Teachers weeks away from delivery prepare differently.

“I’m taking prenatal classes,” said Quick. “I also started getting the baby’s room (together).”

During the baby boom, pregnant teachers’ partners and students are also influenced.

Psychology teacher Brandon Quick is very excited and happy about his first child with his wife, Stacey Quick.

“I’m uber excited,” said Brandon Quick. “I’m ready to meet my kid.”

He plans to bring his baby during the child development unit in his psychology class.

Many students with pregnant teachers have varying opinions toward the baby boom.

“My teachers (both married) are simply content with their lives and are responsible enough to accept the outcomes of having a child as well as being able to teach their students that have to make the same decision in their future lives,” said sophomore Aileen Mandilag.

Others find it more difficult to accomplish tasks in class than before.

“I was affected when my favorite teacher, Mrs. Woods, was pregnant, but more when she was on leave,” Winter said. “Whenever she was around, things went smoothly and stuck to schedule, but when she was gone, everybody had to readjust.”