A new (pregnant) nursing student

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Hello All,

I am registered to start my registered nursing program starting in August 2007. A 2-year program, with plans on transferring to receive my BSN. I am newly pregnant... and wonder if someone else that's starting out is as well... This would be my first child, but I just would like someone to kind of explain what I shoud expect. A little nervous right now, because I just found out Saturday that I am 13 weeks.

Any advice would be appreciated & helpful!

::Thanks in advance:::uhoh3:

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Specializes in Psych, Tele.

Although I have a child of my own, I don't know what struggles you will face in nursing school. Children are VERY needy during the first years of life. I know that sleep was a luxury, and I was told to sleep whenever the baby did to obtain enough energy. I don't think it's impossible, yet I do believe that it will be difficult. If you have a good support system, that will definitely benefit you.

Pregnancy can cause you to feel extremely fatigue. Good diet and exercise is a must to stay healthy and alert. Comfortable shoes are a plus, since you will be on your feet quite a bit. Keep your feet elevated at night to prevent water retention! I was plagued by back pain, and couldn't stay on my feet for long. And that with only about 15 pounds of extra weight!

If this is something you REALLY want, you will find a way to work with your life's changes. Best of luck to you and your new family!!

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I have kids but both were born before I started working toward my degree. However, I do think it's possible to make it work. What I would do is go IMMEDIATELY to the advisors in your college. Explain the situation and ask what your options are. I know that at my school, the college of nursing will allow students to defer for a semester without losing a place in the program. You should check and see if your program is the same. I'm guessing you're due in November or thereabouts, right? What you will probably have to do is take Fall 07 off to have your baby, and return in Spring. Start looking into childcare programs now, some have a really long waiting list. Or, see if your significant other or members of your families can help care for the baby while you are in class.

HTH, and Congratulations on your new little bundle of joy! :) You can make it work. There are plenty of us around who have similar or identical situations and we've all figured it out. Congratulations!

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CONGRATULATIONS on the baby!!! :) and getting into the program! Its workable. had a very close friend who had a baby right before med school. She's graduating next year... and Cole (her baby) is just adorable! Good luck and hope you work something out!!! :)

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Specializes in LTC.

:) Hello mamahan, I was pregnant in nursing school. I foubd out i was pregnant at 16 wks, and I still had 7 months left in the program. I was able to stay in the program. I got the latest Dr. appt's that was available. My classmates helped me out alot. They did all my lifting for me in clinicals. One classmates started to drive me to and from school, this is because we drive 84 miles one way to school. So the trip eventually got to very tiring to me. But anyway I had my son while we were out on winter break 12/30/06 and went back to school on 1/3/07, when it reopened. i managed to talk my Dr. into letting me go back, but with some restrictions. And I graduated on 3/10/ 07. A lot of people told me I was crazy, but I knew what I wanted and was determined to get. So it possible, I did alot of praying. And God saw me throw.

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WOW!! That's all I can say!

:) Hello mamahan, I was pregnant in nursing school. I foubd out i was pregnant at 16 wks, and I still had 7 months left in the program. I was able to stay in the program. I got the latest Dr. appt's that was available. My classmates helped me out alot. They did all my lifting for me in clinicals. One classmates started to drive me to and from school, this is because we drive 84 miles one way to school. So the trip eventually got to very tiring to me. But anyway I had my son while we were out on winter break 12/30/06 and went back to school on 1/3/07, when it reopened. i managed to talk my Dr. into letting me go back, but with some restrictions. And I graduated on 3/10/ 07. A lot of people told me I was crazy, but I knew what I wanted and was determined to get. So it possible, I did alot of praying. And God saw me throw.
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Hello All,

I am registered to start my registered nursing program starting in August 2007. A 2-year program, with plans on transferring to receive my BSN. I am newly pregnant... and wonder if someone else that's starting out is as well... This would be my first child, but I just would like someone to kind of explain what I shoud expect. A little nervous right now, because I just found out Saturday that I am 13 weeks.

Any advice would be appreciated & helpful!

::Thanks in advance:::uhoh3:

Hi, msmahan, congratulations on your pregnancy! You and I are in the same boat. I am currently 23 weeks pregnant with my #1 and got accepted in the nursing school. I am due in the mid of September but my BSN program starts at the end of August. I am very nervous about having a baby in the middle of the school as I am so new to the motherhood. I don't know how fast my body will recover and such. Since my program only opens once a year, if I decide to defer, that means I have to wait a year before I can start again. I really want to finish school and get my degree as soon as possible, it's a very tough decision to make.

If you search for "pregnant and nursing school", there are a lot of people out there who have given birth and are able to succeed in schools. They all said it's very hard but doable with a good support system around.

I wish you best of luck and a smooth pregnancy. I was pretty sick in the 1st trimester but as soon as I passed 15 weeks, I feel great again. Congratulations again!!

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Specializes in SNF, Psych, Sub Acute, Long Term Rehab.

Congrats on your baby!!!!!:balloons: :yelclap:

To any of you going into nursing school pregnant, do some research! I went to a private vocational school in the Antelope Valley in So Calif. When the CEO found out that a student was pregnant, the students hid there pregnancies as best they could, she would EXPELL the student! She even went as far as taking one student by the hand to force her to get an abortion. The student was married and had two other kids, the CEO said she didn't need another. The student refused to get an abortion so she was expelled! Law suits are pending against the school. The school kept the money and expelled the expectant mothers!

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The nrsg school and staff described by SoCalif1979 sound horrific. One of my classmates became pregnant with number 7 while in school and encountered no problems whatsoever from the staff. Just watch out for your health, try to schedule things to suit your situation, and get as much rest as you possibly can. Others have done it and so can you.

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Specializes in SNF, Psych, Sub Acute, Long Term Rehab.

I agree with you! The health of both mother and unborn baby is so very important and should be given priority! The school I went to was horrific! I've never had such a negative academic experience coming from an already extensive academic background.

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My wife was pregnant in nursing school. The instructgors and hospital staff were supportive. There were times during clinicals wher she would have to leave the room when x-rays were being performed, or a couple of times there were contact precautions with certian conditions. She had our son April, but graduation was in June. The school let her go back and finish her last round of clinicals during the summer, and even let her walk for the pinning ceremony, even though technically she hadn't met all the requirements just yet.

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congrats on getting into the program, and good luck to u!!

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