clinicals while pregnant - safe?

MB37 · Apr 14, 2008

Several of my classmates have done or are doing it, planning to give birth either after graduation or during a break. Not all were planned, but so far everyone is still in the program and healthy. I have not seen the girl who gave birth in the middle of this semester since our labs ended (attendance was required), so I'm not sure how she's doing in didactic. Talk to your doc/NM and see what they say, but people do it all the time. Also, remember that your pregnancy might not go as planned - make sure you review your school's policies on withdrawal in case you need to, and that you'll be allowed back in when you're ready to come back. My husband and I talked about it, but decided to wait - it would be our first, I don't have a clue how my body will react to pregnancy, and I didn't think NS was a good time to experiment.

dee78 · Apr 15, 2008

I can undersatnd why you would choose to have the baby right after NS before you start a new job. 5 years ago we were discussing having a child and my goals of being a nurse were put on hold so I could have a child (only child with current husband). I knew that if/when I became a nurse I wouldn't want to take time out of my new career to have a child and I knew that I didn't want to have a "later in life" child. SO I chose to have the child before going back to school. I

dee78 · Apr 15, 2008

OOps. New laptop and the computer sent before I was ready when I fumbled some keys.

Anyway, to continue...

I have questioned that decision many times but ultimately (now that I'm starting back to school) believe that it was right for me. Everyone is different and we all make decisions that are best for us so I'm not trying to talk you out of it by any means but my main concern would be about pregnancy complications and stress of the program on your body/baby, more than catching something. But that's probably because I spent the last 1-2 months of my last 2 pregnancies on bedrest. I wouldn't want to risk my nursing school nor my baby's health. You also have to consider how easy it will be to retake the classes (with a child) if you do have to leave the program.

Just my opinion.

LaceyRN · Apr 15, 2008

Hi all ...
Question here ... I have fall and spring of next year to go in ADN school -- peds and OBGYN clinicals in the fall and ICU/preceptorship in the spring. My husband and I were thinking of trying to conceive a second child starting in late fall, but I'm concerned about exposure to "bugs" they don't immunize for, and that that might harm the fetus. Any thoughts about risks vs. benefits?
Thanx,
Nita

Well, assuming it's a healthy pregnancy with no restrictions,

there are lots of nurses who continue to work while pregnant. Assuming that standards precautions are followed as every nurse does with every patient, I would think that the only risk to fetus would be airborn respiratory illnesses like Rubella for example but there is a vaccine for that.

You should definitely talk to your OBGYN about your concerns and see what he/she recommends.

Good Luck whatever you decide! :)

justme1972 · Apr 15, 2008

I had a perfect, healthy, wonderful pregnancy, until I went to the doctor one day and it turned on a dime without warning.

It was pre-eclampsia..nothing I did, nothing that could be done.

Just remember that nursing school will always be there to go back to...but your baby's health is #1.

JenniG48 · Apr 15, 2008

I'd say talk to your OB/GYN doc about what you want to do. In my PN program we had 5 girls pregnant during clinicals and during my ADN program we've had 4, 3 have given birth and the last one is due at the end of May. We just finished our clinical rotations this last week and grad on May 10th. No problems with any of the pregnancies or babies. If you do get pregnant when you want too, then talk to your instructors and see if you can complete your clinicals/preceptorships as early as possible. Good luck to you.:)

Sterren, BSN, RN · Apr 15, 2008

I would be more concerned about the lack of sleep and stress than about exposure to microbes and viruses, honestly. We very, very seriously thought about having a baby while I was in nursing school, but I decided that I couldn't do both at once. That's just me, we have several pregnant students at my school who are doing just fine. It just depends on what you decide you can handle.

As far as exposure and job duties, though, I really don't think that alone is a reason not to have a baby. The majority of nurses are women, and they do get pregnant once in a while and their babies turn out just fine, too. You'll probably be exposed to more germs in the general public in places like a store or public bathroom, IMO - at least the hospital is regularly thoroughly cleaned with high expectations for handwashing among the employees.

The best person to talk to is the practitioner you will see for your pregnancy. They can give you a better idea of how your overall health and specific risk factors play into the decision about when to have a baby.

dragonsage · Apr 15, 2008

I am currently 38 weeks pregnant and about to be induced next week. I have finals for first semester the week after. It's tough. My biggest problem is the way my feet, legs,and back ache at clinicals, although some good prescription support hose is helping. Would I do it again? I don't know. My lecture and lab teachers are being great about it, but the Dr. has already mentioned c-section a few times (baby is BIG) and if my induction turns into that I will be in some trouble with clinicals, since I would miss the last week and my school has some pretty strict guidelines on that. We are only allowed three misses for the entire LPN year, with a payment of $50 every time. So, yes, I can do it, but...The hard thing is that I have two HUGE worries right now, instead of just the one or the other. It is very stressful, esp. since you just cannot predict exactly what will happen. If you time the end right you should do o.k., but I most assuredly feel different about it right now then I did when I was 5 months along and just starting the semester thinking, "I'll be fine, no problems!" LOL! Kate

hoopskirthippie · Apr 18, 2008

Thanks, everyone. And dragonsage, Kate is my daughter's name too. How cool! Good luck with the birth and the sleepless nights after, LOL. :) But it's worth it.

Take care,

Nita Mc.

Big (8 lb., 9.5 oz.) baby girl born 11/9/04 :)

southernbelle08 · Apr 18, 2008

I have had several classmates have babies during school and everything has worked out fine. One of the girls in my clinical group is about 12 weeks along so during this last semester if there was ever a patient she was uncomfortable taking care of our instructors would switch her with no problems. We only had one girl fail due to being absent and she had a complicated pregnancy and missed days to the point it was best for her to withdraw and come back the next semester and repeat.

Good luck!!