New RN and starting a family - advice please

ijuanabhappy, ASN, RN · May 30, 2011

My opinion is to go ahead and try to get pregnant, or should I say don't try to take measures to prevent a pregnancy :) Like you said, because of your history of PCOS, it may or may not take awhile. Your health and family comes first, and the career can always wait. It is possible to do both but speak to your doctor about your health issues because nursing, especially the first year, is stressful and can take a toll on you. Best of luck to you!

nikkicoliCCRN · May 30, 2011

It took me 4 years to get pregnant. You never know how long it's going to take until you try. You sound like a planner, but there are not ever going to be solid plans with babies. They happen when they do, come out when they are ready. I wish you happy family planning. I agree with ijuannabehappy just stop trying to prevent it. If you don't get pregnant in 6 months call your OB. Another word of advise... all pregnancies are different. Mine was very difficult and I couldn't work most of the time I was pregnant. I am the "bread winner" in my family. If I didn't have short term and long term disability insurance from my employer we could have lost our house or starved. This is usually pretty inexpensive but a life saver if you ever need it. Good luck. I hope you have a happy healthy family! :yeah: :yeah: :yeah:

chicookie, BSN, RN · May 30, 2011

I would get short term/long term disability insurance for sure. That at least in my hospital is super important for an expectant mother. I have to agree with the other posters. Your job can't fire you because you became pregnant after you started working with them. Life happens. You will have them to go back to after you have the baby. I hope everything turns out well! I'm excited for you!

arabstarRN · May 30, 2011

Thanks everyone! Yes, short/long term disability insurance is a very good idea. Thanks for the well wishes too! I appreciate the advice/suggestions!

MassED, BSN, RN · May 30, 2011

you're never REALLY ready, but it's wonderful when it happens. Just do it. You'll figure out work/childcare stuff. It all falls into place.

SweetheartRN · May 30, 2011

I agree with everyone else arabstar. If you had to choose which one ---career or additions to your family that you HAD to sacrifice having, which one would you choose? I think your answer would be career. Not saying that you'd necessarily have to sacrifice either but especially in your situation I would go with what my heart is saying to do. Do you already have a job? Are you financially able to not work if your pregnancy becomes complicated? What would your plans be after the baby arrives? Stay home, work part time, work full time and utilize day care? etc.

I am in a similar situation as you but I do not have PCOS and I'm 25. My sister does have PCOS however and she has two healthy beautiful children, girl and boy.

Right now we would like to conceive within the next few months, I'm aiming for either August or December because I love the months of May and September. I graduated in December and the only job I could get was at a Pediatric Doctors office under a major hospital system working prn but almost full time hours. I am already pretty much trained on this job so my goal is to try to get in the hospital and work part time along with this prn doctors office job, work throughout my pregnancy which will equal out to over a year so that I can get FMLA. This would give me experience in the hospital which will keep doors open after the pregnancy but working the peds clinic will allow me to work more flexible mommy hours in case I find I want to stay home with the baby more.

Reading back over this I sound like a planner too and I realize that alot of this may not work out like I've planned but you gotta have some type of plan in mind when making such big life decisions lol.

GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · May 30, 2011

I agree, get short term and long term disability insurance for if you are unwell during your pregnancy. I personally wouldn't put off having a baby unless you were perfectly healthy, still in school, and in your early twenties. Beyond that, I would NOT try to prevent a pregnancy, since you do not know how long it will take when there are medical issues going on. I worked one year, then switched jobs and was working only 4 months when I became pregnant with my first. (I had her when I was 27, I really couldn't see waiting just b/c I started a new job) Things ended well for us, I just had my third baby a few months ago at age 32. Some say it is career suicide to have 3 in 5 years while working/taking some time off, but really, am I supposed to just not have kids? I was getting older and wanted to be sure I had the # I wanted before that clock stopped ticking.

misscherie · May 31, 2011

Wow this was like reading my own words. My partner and I will be in the same dilemma when I finish nursing school, I will be 29 and I always wanted to be a young mum (mid 20s) but want to finish nursing school before we start trying. I decided that once I have a job and am 6 months into it, I am going to stop taking my pill and just see what happens... I feel the same though, its scary when youre JUST starting out, to have a baby. But then I think, well I have already put it on hold for so long and nursing will always be there. All the best for you both and your future bubba! :) :)

iceprincess492 · May 31, 2011

Thanks everyone! Yes, short/long term disability insurance is a very good idea. Thanks for the well wishes too! I appreciate the advice/suggestions!

I agree that it is a very good idea to have short term disability insurance. Just make sure you read your policy closely. The company that provides ours at work has a clause that it will not pay for maternity leave unless you do not get pregnant until 10mos after policy effective.

Good Luck :)