Getting pregnant on purpose in school

sumthnspecial · Jun 28, 2007

I am in a similar situation as you are. I am about to go into my 2nd semester of nursing school and my husband and I are thinking about having another baby. I really don't want to wait until school is over, for various reasons, but I am also nervous about being pregnant while in school. We were thinking about trying around September-ish, so I would give birth over the summer. I would be heading into 4th semester with a newborn and a 4 year old. I keep going back and forth on the idea of getting pregnant vs waiting until school is over. Good luck to you.

*Blessed2BaNRS* · Jun 29, 2007

Hi Orange,

I'm not at Baylor (although I am about 90 miles east of you!!), so I can't answer your question about that particular school, but from what a friend of mine told me about what was told to them at orientation was "if you are going through marital troubles, get a divorce now, and don't even think about becoming pregnant in the next 2 years because it will do you in." That is scary, especially about the marriage part, but they said that NS is so stressful that any added stress is likely to do a person in.

Now, from beinng on this website for a while now, I have seen many people talking about being pregnant through school and doing just fine. So... I think it all depends on you and how well you can handle school and pregnancy. If I were in your position, I probably would go ahead and get preggers!

Good luck with whatever you decide

WDWpixieRN, RN · Jun 29, 2007

We had one gal who had a baby the last week of our first semester in an ADN program.. She passed and is supposed to come back to join 2nd semester in the fall.

Another gal had a baby during 2nd semester finals. Our instructors were terrific about working with her to get everything completed so she could stay with the rest of us and start 3rd in the fall.

Another gal seriously got accidentally pregnant last semester. She is due in October which is smack in the middle of our 3rd semester next fall. She was going to sit it out, but is a wonderful student and the Director of the program encouraged her to re-enroll and at worst if there were health issues of any kind, she could drop and retake the semester. Otherwise, they would allow a week off and she could most likely finish the semester if she was willing.

I think it's a matter to be discussed with someone within your program and also to look at what kind of support system you will have. I truly believe if you want this bad enough and know you are the kind of student/person who can handle it, you will be able to pull it off.

I truly wish you, and your husband, the best!!

Spill, RN · Jun 29, 2007

Hi, I started off my first semester of NS pregnant and had my 1st baby boy right after first semester ended (what good timing)

I'm out for the summer and will be starting 2nd semester with a new born.

I really didn't have any difficulties during NS. Actually, I found that my instructor and classmates were very mindful of my condition and were very helpful, especially during clinical--making sure I had help if I needed to lift a patient or anything that would be heavy, and always making sure I was taking it easy on my feet-taking extra sit down breaks etc.

I'm starting 2nd semster in August with a newborn, and I just look at it this way. I would be working full time, if I wasn't in school full time. Many women have had babies and accomplished tasks outside of just staying home with the baby----so if they can do it, so can you!

Best of wishes to you!

ZooMommyRN, ADN, RN · Jun 29, 2007

I would find out what your specific school's policy is, it's frowned apon pretty heavily at ours (the director never had kids and she tells you straight up she hates OB lol) my sil was one of the few that got pregnant during her 1st year, she had to take a year off because they can't waive enough hours of missed class (state mandates X amt of hours in lecture per semester) since she was due in september and there wasn't a daycare in town that would accept a newborn under 4 weeks, so her 2 yr degree took 3 but it all worked out in the end

Spill, RN · Jun 29, 2007

I'm pretty sure tha a school cannot discriminate against you if you are pregnant.----the school better check themselves first because they could get themselves into legal trouble.

and I was told the same thing by our director, don't get married or pregnant during NS, because NS is so demanding and stressful already, blah, blah, blah

-----they may think they own you, but they don't

THIS IS YOUR LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ZooMommyRN, ADN, RN · Jun 29, 2007

Yes it's your life BUT there are so many variables with pregnancy that you never know what's going to happen, the stress, the clinicals, missed lectures because of going into labor or complications *god forbid* but it's always a possiblity why intentionally make things harder? you are making a commitment to finish out the program when you accept that seat given to you and one more name goes on the list, if you fail to meet the standards or can not finish because you made a conscious decision to get pregnant and can not complete it, you took the opportunity of school away from another person and wasted it, just my honest opinion

SoundofMusic · Jun 29, 2007

We had several people get pregnant during school. It was quite common in our program. Some bowed out and did the program part-time, and some just plugged on through. The ones who did it had good support at home.

I would think if you were having a healthy pregnancy, and could stand getting up early for clinicals, you could do it. Easier done than having a newborn baby and doing school. I'd rather have the baby in utero going with me to class than having to leave it w/ a babysitter! You would just have to keep yourself less stressed out. I feel school is a lot less stressful than actually starting a nursing job.

Now, nursing school with kids is another matter. I feel that's a whole other can of worms! You might want to consider what it will be like w/ a newborn, a new job, and a husband deployed.

I think you have a great reason to want another baby. Good luck to you and to your hubby - mine is also leaving for Iraq.

CinderMelly · Jun 29, 2007

I have seen it done in my program (ADN) The only requirement with regards to clinicals is a Doctor's waiver. I'm fairly certain that you cannot be kicked out just because you get pregnant but that doesn't mean they would find something else to bust your you know what about. My only concern would be if it were a difficult pregnancy would you be able to continue? IF you get put on bedrest you can't do the clincial hours and are out. I would seriuosly sit down with you hubby and really weigh the pros and cons of the situation and think of all the what ifs that could happen so that whatever you two decide you are prepared for it.

HeartJulz · Jun 29, 2007

Nursing school is grueling ...just being honest. It can be done, but I think you dont want to end up for disappoinment in yourself if you pay all of the money and time invested only to find out how hard it really is. Most schools tell you upfront that even having a job is hard .. let me tell you my daughter is older (14) so i didnt have much issues as far as that, but was working fulltime, going to the gym (to destresss) and night nursing school .. lemme tell you it was a LOTTTT!!! I couldnt even imagine being pregnant doing all of it because you may feel really iskc the first 4 mths. It is a lot to consider, I wish you the best ...

Megsd, BSN, RN · Jun 30, 2007

One of my classmates just found out she's pregnant and we graduate in November. She has had such severe morning sickness and other symptoms that she sits in the corner by the trash can during lecture and leaves every 15-30 minutes to vomit or urinate. She has missed a lot of lecture material because of her frequent bathroom breaks. She is concerned about starting clinicals next week because she is so ill in the mornings. She has been late to lectures already because she has to lay in bed and eat a cracker before she gets up to lessen the nausea.

Personally I feel I have enough going on with school to avoid other stressors such as a pregnancy. Nursing school is not conducive to taking real great care of yourself, which is so important in a pregnancy.

People do it and survive, but from what I have witnessed so far in my friend, it doesn't look like ANY fun.