Pregnant

fotografe · Jul 29, 2004

I was a student in a different program when pregnant (not CRNA), but still time intensive and I was potentially exposed to dangerous substances. I immediately told the faculty. They made sure I had appropriate protective gear, and that if adequate protection was not possible, then I watched from a distance.

The work DURING my pregnancy was do-able. I was tired, and had to excuse myself frequently to go the bathroom, but I was only responsible for myself and my school work. I would not recommend holding off a year, as in 1 year you will have a 4 month old. Babies require care at all hours, and your focus will be split. If you make it through the first year of your program you will have a better idea of how to budget your time as you add another element (and it is a GREAT element!!!) to the mix. As a previous poster said, at this stage at least they need a lot of sleep. DO keep going through your pregnancy. If you have to sit out a bit, do it after your baby is here.

Congratulations on the bundle of JOY!!!!! Just my 2 cents.

TraumaNurse · Jul 29, 2004

I think it really depends on how supportive your family and program are willing to be. A student in my program (a year ahead of me) was also pregnant during school. She stayed in the program until the baby was born, took a couple of months off and then was allowed to make up the clinical time at the end and just delayed taking the certifying exam.

If you want to take more time off with the new baby, maybe you can take the year off and jump back into the program where you left off with the next class.

However, if the program will make you start again from scratch or not accommodate you, then you may as well drop out now and pick it up again when you are ready.

One of my classmates found out she was pregnant shortly after starting the program last year, she decided to quit since she was only a few weeks in. She has now started the program with me and has an 8 month old. The program held a seat for her for our class and she did not have to go through all the application stuff again. Another classmate of mine has a 6 mo old.

As others have said, it can be done if you really want it and you have the support systems to move forward. Having kids while going to CRNA school is tough, but it will be well worth it in the end (Both being a CRNA and being a parent!)

Good luck and congratulations!!!!!

AmiK25 · Jul 30, 2004

If at all possible, I would definitely recommend starting now while you are pregnant and possibly taking time off after the baby comes (maybe just one quarter or so) b/c it is definitely more difficult to have a newborn than to be pregnant! However, if it does not work into your schedule to take time off, I am sure that you can find a way to make it work! Good luck and congrats!!

loisane · Jul 30, 2004

If at all possible, I would definitely recommend starting now while you are pregnant and possibly taking time off after the baby comes (maybe just one quarter or so) b/c it is definitely more difficult to have a newborn than to be pregnant!

I guess this would work, if an anesthesia program allowed this as an option. Perhaps there are some that would allow this.

Most of the anesthesia programs that I am knowlegeable about are organized so that students go through as a cohort. If you must withdraw, you wait a year and pick up with the next group going through.

On face I agree with the position that a newborn is more "time-intensive" for a new mother than the pregnancy. But in my experience with SRNAs, pregnancy is more demanding of them than childcare. As many have said, family support is absolutely crucial to any parent during anesthesia school, and this is especially true with newborns. But if you have that great family support, they can help when the baby comes. They cannot help carry the pregnancy. And they cannot help with labor and delivery.

It will also matter a great deal if you are in a front loaded, or integrated program. Class time is much easier to make up than clinical time. Of course either can be done, with the right plan.

Just my perspective, although I have not experienced this. I think it would be particularly interesting to hear more from those who actually faced this situation as an anesthesia student.

Let us know how it goes with your program director.

loisane crna

Heather R.N. · Jul 31, 2004

Thanks everyone for your words of encouragement. My program director was very supportive. He reassured me that I am not the first and that it can be done, even though he would not recommend it. When the baby is born in April I will use my 10 days of vacation time for next year, that will give me 2 weeks with the weekends. Any time that I take after that will have to be made up. Hopefully, I will have a normal pregnancy and delivery so that I can bounce back quickly. My goal is to try not to take more than 3-4 weeks. Thanks again for your support and advice.

zrmorgan · Jul 31, 2004

heather-

one of my classmates just had her baby between first and second semester. she and the baby are doing fine. she has a very supportive family, and, fortunately our director, and clinical coordinator were flexible. she like you found out about acceptance and pregnancy all at the same time. when I talk to her next I will see if she will have the time to post something on this thread. dont know if she would recommend waiting a year or not. anyway good luck, and congratulations!

louloubell1 · Jul 31, 2004

Congratulations, Heather!

Whatever you decide to do in regards to anesthesia school, please remember to take extra good care of yourself. Extra stresses are hard during pregnancy. I don't know if this is your first pregnancy or not, but your body will be requiring extra sleep sometimes and definitely extra nutrition (two areas that busy students are often apt to ignore). Please make sure to listen to your body and your OB, not only for the health of your baby, but for your own health as well.

My first two babies were a breeze. I really could have worked or dealt with school up until the day I delivered. I had my third baby during my undergrad nursing program, and that was hard, but he was a very big baby and I just had a hard time moving around well during my last few months. I was lucky though, because I had a normal birth, despite his big old baby body coming out occiput posterior. He was born over the Thanksgiving break and I was back in school as soon as classes were back in session on Monday. My last baby was born with significantly more dangerous difficulties (placenta previa and frequent hemorrhaging during the few months preceding his birth). I couldn't have handled school at that point because I was on bedrest for several months, and then hospitalized for the last month before his emergency c-section. My point is that all pregnancies are different, and I think that it's hard to predict how well one will be able to deal with outside stresses like work or school because you can't really predict how difficult the internal stresses are going to be. I'm so excited for you though, and pray that you'll have a healthy baby in the end. Blessings to you, no matter what you choose to do!

fotografe · Jul 31, 2004

Good luck Heather. Here's to a comfy pregnancy and a painless delivery. I have 2 bits of advice -- get yourself a pair of great shoes for 3rd trimester on, and sleep whenever you have the opportunity. You are going to do great!!!

Kathi

movinsouth · Aug 1, 2004

Congratulations!! I found out that I was pregnant with our third child after I started applying to CRNA schools. We decided at that time to go forth with the application process since school had been in our plans for several years. There just does'nt seem to be a perfect time to go to school with children. I will start Aug 16 and have three children ages 4, 2 1/2, and 9 months. I still have my worries about how I will balance school and family, and how my children will handle this change. Also, we are moving away from our parents/family/support. However, my husband is extremely supportive and will stay home with our children, and we will make it through this adventure. You have been blessed with this pregnancy, it is a gift. Everything will work out in the end. 3 years from now you'll probably be happy that you went ahead with school because you'll be done!! Best Wishes!

FLCRNA2B · Aug 1, 2004

Movingsouth, I have 2 young children and would love to keep hearing from you once you start school. You are an inspiration to me, going to school with 3 children. Please keep us updated on how you manage school and family. I hope to be in your shoes in a few years. Good luck!:)