Cambridge Student Isobel Cohen Gets A First Despite Sitting Exam 28 Hours After Giving Birth

Cambridge Student Who Sat Exams One Day After Giving Birth Gains First

A student has gained a first in English from Cambridge despite sitting her exams, with catheter still attached, 28 hours after giving birth.

Graduate Isobel Cohen took the exam in hospital still wearing her dressing gown and slippers as well as being heavily under the influence of painkillers, the Cambridge News reported.

Isobel Cohen sat her exams just hours after giving birth

The former professional dancer had to leave her baby daughter Beatrice in intensive care while she took her English paper. The 33-year-old then sat a second exam a day later on Greek tragedies.

Cohen, who belonged to Lucy Cavendish College, told her local newspaper it seemed "perfectly legitimate" at the time but now she thinks it is "slightly insane".

"I wonder how I held it together and got through them because now I’m into full-blown ‘nappy brain’ and can’t get anything out of my head."

Cohen had originally turned down the opportunity to study at Cambridge, opting instead to pursue a career as a dancer. She was offered the option of applying for a "DDH" - deemed to deserve honours instead of sitting her exams but decided to take the plunge and take them.

A spokesperson for Cambridge University said: "The University would like to congratulate Isobel Cohen on her phenomenal achievement and wishes her all the best in her family’s future."

Both mother and baby are doing well and are now resting at home.

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