Can you be pregnant in nursing school?

NeoNatMom · Jul 5, 2016

you most certainly can. I will tell you, it is once they become toddlers that it becomes more uphill; at least for my case it was like that. the more they grow and want to impress and show you what they have and what they can do, the more pauses you have to take while studying. I will tell you this tho, I had a friend in my program just graduate and she has 6 children! If she can have 6 kids and pass, you can be pregnant and succeed, for sure! Best of luck to you!

WanderingWilder, ASN · Jul 5, 2016

I wouldn't wait a year. Most women work through a pregnancy anyway. While a little different i still imagine it's doable. Talk to the school I'm sure it's a situation that's come up before.

KarenMS · Jul 6, 2016

Why wouldn't you be able to lift while pregnant? If every woman's life was put on hold during pregnancy, there would be a whole lot of nothing being accomplished by thousands of women daily

Its really common to be advised not to lift over a certain amount while pregnant. I think my NP told me no more than 25 lbs. I imagine it varies depending on what the woman is already used to lifting, but I always tried to ask for help when lifting kids at work. It's more important in later trimesters when your balance is all out of whack.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 6, 2016

Three of my pregnant nursing school classmates delivered their newborns while in the program. The two 'younger' classmates (both in their 20s) graduated on time due to decent support systems outside school.

The third woman was middle-aged and this was her fifth child. She never returned after giving birth. Perhaps she returned years later to finish. I don't know.

My point is that it is possible to be pregnant in nursing school, although it is not the ideal situation. Good luck to you.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Jul 7, 2016

I had my second daughter during Christmas vacation of nursing school. I took off spring semester and came back the next fall. I had very supportive admins at my program which allowed me to pull that off. It was hard, finishing school with a toddler and an infant, but I survived.

morgieb · Jul 13, 2016

Totally do able! Congrats on the baby. When I was in school quite a few ladies were preggars. Truth be told women are often good about helping each other out during this time. Your instructors likely will tell you before hand not to lift heavy things. You're peers will definitely pitch in and help with a lot. When I worked on the floor as a patient care tech one nurse was pregnant and you should have seen how much people pitched in and she stayed until her water broke. My classmate had her baby and was back in class a week later. You can do this!

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2016

My classmate had her baby and was back in class a week later. You can do this!

We don't know that the OP could do this. If she has a c-section, ha tshe baby early, has any complications requiring bed rest or after the birth, or if baby had any problems, that would not be doable. She should hope for the best, but I would not count on being back to school a week later.

Jm12345 · Jul 14, 2016

Congrats on your baby and being accepted! I was pregnant through my first semester and my summer semester, had my baby via C section and went into med surg 3 weeks after. It was hard, the hormones the stress, just everything. Luckily I had some very incredible and understanding instructors that helped me every step of the way. I remember one time before an exam I broke down in the parking lot. I was tired, stressed out, run down... I emailed my director of nursing and my advisor and they were there for me immediately and after that everything was so much better. Just keeping the instructors informed of how your doing and keep working hard you will be fine. Lots of people go through the program pregnant so it is doable! Scary, but doable! I kept telling myself, well now that I have my daughter that's even more reason to take this seriously!

I did have a little break down but that's bc I was trying to hide how I felt and not letting anyone know what was going on with me. I remember the week after I talked to my instructors and vented, all the nursing instructors one by one made time to come say hi, hug me, and ask how I was doing. It's the little things. It was hard, but as cliche as it sounds nothing worth having comes easy. You'll be great! The fact that your worrying about it already shows you care! Good luck to you and remember your instructors are there not just to teach you what's in a book, but to show you first hand the compassion it takes to be a good nurse :)

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Jul 14, 2016

Congrats on your baby and being accepted! I was pregnant through my first semester and my summer semester, had my baby via C section and went into med surg 3 weeks after. It was hard, the hormones the stress, just everything. Luckily I had some very incredible and understanding instructors that helped me every step of the way. I remember one time before an exam I broke down in the parking lot. I was tired, stressed out, run down... I emailed my director of nursing and my advisor and they were there for me immediately and after that everything was so much better. Just keeping the instructors informed of how your doing and keep working hard you will be fine. Lots of people go through the program pregnant so it is doable! Scary, but doable! I kept telling myself, well now that I have my daughter that's even more reason to take this seriously!
I did have a little break down but that's bc I was trying to hide how I felt and not letting anyone know what was going on with me. I remember the week after I talked to my instructors and vented, all the nursing instructors one by one made time to come say hi, hug me, and ask how I was doing. It's the little things. It was hard, but as cliche as it sounds nothing worth having comes easy. You'll be great! The fact that your worrying about it already shows you care! Good luck to you and remember your instructors are there not just to teach you what's in a book, but to show you first hand the compassion it takes to be a good nurse :)

Wow, I could have written this post. When my hair started coming out in handfuls, I told my program director that I just couldn't cope, and was going to quit the program. She said "We don't want to lose someone like you. Take a semester off, and come back fresh. We'll work withyou."

And they did! But I don't ever encourage anyone to have a baby during nursing school. It's really TOUGH.

Jm12345 · Jul 14, 2016

Its really common to be advised not to lift over a certain amount while pregnant. I think my NP told me no more than 25 lbs. I imagine it varies depending on what the woman is already used to lifting, but I always tried to ask for help when lifting kids at work. It's more important in later trimesters when your balance is all out of whack.

Its definitly safe to lift when pregnant, but your right it depends on what you were use to before pregnancy to. I lifted weights for years and I deadlifted and did squats all the way up until I delivered. It's more about knowing your body and being jn tune with it and knowing what you can do and what you can't do and what your limits are â˜ºï¸

Buyer beware, BSN · Jul 15, 2016

Do you know how many nurses are pregnant while on the job?

No, I guess you don't. Lots.

Gives ME a backache just thinking about it.