This is my first new tread post, and I know that there have been similar threads regarding this subject matter. I am posting this to try to gain some in site, and gather some opinions as to when a better time to start planning a family would be: The middle of nursing school (delivering after graduation), or the first year working as an RN. (I use the term "better" loosely, as I know there is never really a "perfect" time to start a family)
Regarding my situation, I am 26 years old, and start nursing school in 5 days. My fiance is 36 years old. After finishing my pre-reqs this past August, I applied to National University, and got accepted for a start date of July of 2009. On the same day that I received my acceptance letter, I found out that I was pregnant. My fiance and I were beyond ecstatic, as we were going to be parents, and I would also have the opportunity to fulfill my dream of obtaining my BSN, with about 2 months off with our new baby, before starting nursing school. Well, after experiencing some spotting in September, I was rushed to the ER and told I was told I was experiencing a "threatened miscarriage". The next day, I did indeed have a miscarriage. Needless to say, we were both devastated, and I am taking it especially hard. Anyhow, to make a long story short, I talked to a school administrator about my experience, and she suggested I request to move up my start date. I did, and I got it bumped up to start January 2009.
As I stated above, its been difficult to deal with, as everyday the urge to try again seems to grow stronger. I feel that I would like to try to become pregnant in April or May of 2010, which would put my due date just after graduation. My fiance is supportive, however somewhat apprehensive (I can understand) about being pregnant while finishing up school. My ultimate goal is to go on to obtain my Masters (I haven't decided which specialty), and I feel that I would like to gain my work experience, and grad school uninterrupted. I feel I would rather make the difficult trek through school pregnant now, and be able to enjoy my life as an RN, my family and schooling, without having to take breaks intermittently to obtain all of these things. And, I know I am assuming I'll have a normal, uneventful pregnancy, but who really knows? All I want is a healthy child, and my career. I've asked plenty of people, and gotten mostly positive feedback, but I want fellow students, and nurses opinions on the matter. Any thoughts, comments, suggestions? I thank you for your honest feedback in advance. :)
I'm sorry to hear about your miscarriage...I'm sure that was a difficult time for you. :redpinkhe I can understand how you feel...just itching to get pregnant, but please follow the advice of the other posters....wait! You're so young...you have plenty of time to get pregnant after finishing school.
Even though you've been pregnant before, not all pregnancies are the same. You may have not gotten sick with the previous one, but that doesn't mean you won't with the next. If I were you, I would just wait, because what if you get sick? What if you feel so tired that you won't have the energy to study or be competent in clinicals? I'm not saying you won't be able to handle it, but it will be more difficult than it should be. Not only that, but caring for a newborn is a 24/7 thing, and you never know, like one poster said if your baby is going to be colicy or gassy (speaking from experience)! When my son was a newborn, he had colic and acid reflux...it was horrible! He needed a lot of attention and soothing. Thinking back to that time, I cannot imagine going to school while taking care of him. Just rethink your decision and don't worry, the time will come for you to get pregnant...when it's right.
I would NEVER get PG while in nursing school. NO WAY. We have a couple pg girls in our class and to hear the one complain about ctx and stuff, ticks me off. Yes, I get ctx are real but you chose to get PG while in school. And then she expects special tx on clinical b/c she's pregnant. She is also threatened with bedrest. I would not risk that.
I started college 7m PG and yes it was hard but I couldn't do NS PG. I started when he was 17m.
I would wait till after and I had perfect pregnancies.
I do understand wanting a baby....I;m dying for another.
Very sorry to hear about your loss, I too have experienced a miscarriage and know how devastating it can be.
One of my classmates delivered a beautify baby girl last September. It has been an extremely difficult road for her, both physically and emotionally. She delived on a Friday and returned to class the following Tuesday! She is so torn between wanting to be home with the baby (and spending time with her when she is home), and wanting to complete her degree. I have two children of my own, 20 and 14. Knowing what my classmate has been through, and having raised two of my own, I would strongly recommend waiting until after you graduate nursing school to begin a family. Your baby deserves your undivided attention, and when your in nursing school, sometimes that just can't happen.
Best of luck to you and I wish you well in your future baby endeavors!
What did you end up doing? Are you still in school now, or did you try for a baby (or both!) I'm kind of in the same position now...a few months behind you, but as far as the urge to go back to school and have a baby - they are both equally strong. I have a two year old, and I have a BA that I don't use. I've always been interested in nursing, and after several months of contemplation and research I'm applying to an Accelerated BSN program, that offers financial assistance I can qualify for, so it's the only program affordable to me too. At the same time, it'd be very intense. It'd be intense with or without an additional child plus still working a few hours a week. But I can't gage how much more intense with an "only" child, or one who has a playmate.
I'm working on pre-reqs 2 at a time now from now until next December either way. That is very manageable. I can get them all done even I did try for another baby now, and at least be in line for a nursing program...but then if I get accepted I'll have a 3.5 year old and possibly an 8-9 month old in daycare the majority of the time (so more $$$ for that) and my husband/other family entertaining them while I study. It's kind of catch 22 to me, I don't want my son to be 5 or 6 before we give him a sibling, but I definately need a better career to help support our family.
I really get itchy simply not know when I'm going to get into a program. The ABSN doesn't even start until August 2011 - and I won't know if I got in until August 2010, and the other one I'm looking at I can't even apply for until August 2010... my son will be three two months after that
I would never get pregnant in nursing school OR within the first year. Nursing school is very hard, but learning how to be an actual nurse is even harder. I want to get pregnant too. I have been married over 9 years and just turned 29. No kids yet. I just graduated nursing school. It is very hard to learn how to be a nurse. I want to wait at least a year until I start trying.
Well...thanks for the advice. I guess the main issue for me in this situation is the wait list on starting a program. I already started a family before I decided to do this. It's all food for thought while sitting on the wait list for right now. If I get into one of the programs I'm applying to, finish school, and get one year of experience (IF I get a job right after graduation), that puts me at 30-31 with a 6 or 7 year old. Hmm....mulling it over in my head...
I'm afraid I can't talk from any experience, but my personal opinion would be to put school first right now, it's hard enough without added responsibility. A child is such a blessing and if you are going through school and right out of school and working through their younger years I feel like you will regret it later. My mother was working when I was little and I had to be put into day cares and such... she always says she regrets not being around more when I was younger and I had some pretty... awful daycare experiences...
Just something to think about but I believe that when the time comes to raise a child you should be able to give that child your 100% devotion in such crucial stages of life.
In my first semester of a 2-year program, 5 (out of 80) students either showed up pregnant or got pregnant early in the semester. 2 of them are taking a year off and are going to pick up with the next year's class, the other three appear to be sticking it out.
I don't know if the case of baby rabies that broke out in my class is typical or not.
my son will be three two months after that 
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Dottie, RN
89 Posts
I'm sorry to hear about your miscarriage...I'm sure that was a difficult time for you. :redpinkhe I can understand how you feel...just itching to get pregnant, but please follow the advice of the other posters....wait! You're so young...you have plenty of time to get pregnant after finishing school.
Even though you've been pregnant before, not all pregnancies are the same. You may have not gotten sick with the previous one, but that doesn't mean you won't with the next. If I were you, I would just wait, because what if you get sick? What if you feel so tired that you won't have the energy to study or be competent in clinicals? I'm not saying you won't be able to handle it, but it will be more difficult than it should be. Not only that, but caring for a newborn is a 24/7 thing, and you never know, like one poster said if your baby is going to be colicy or gassy (speaking from experience)! When my son was a newborn, he had colic and acid reflux...it was horrible! He needed a lot of attention and soothing. Thinking back to that time, I cannot imagine going to school while taking care of him. Just rethink your decision and don't worry, the time will come for you to get pregnant...when it's right.
Good luck to you!