Have you...?

MB37 · Jul 10, 2007

If you're 20, why is it now or never? My husband's 38 and I'm 28, and we have none yet because we are waiting until I'm at least close to graduation to even think about trying. My mom had my little brother at 39. You have to look into how your program will deal with it, and if you'll be allowed to sit out a semester and start back up if you have any complications. Other thought - if you're not starting NS for another year, why not try now instead of waiting? Prereqs are much easier than NS, and you can often take them entirely online.

pogi · Jul 11, 2007

There have been plenty of moms-to-be in nursing school that have been successful, but NS is very demanding and it would definitely be more difficult to manage while being pregnant or having a newborn. Is it possible to wait a little longer? Age-wise it seems like you have plenty of time to have both a career and additions to your family!

TazziRN, RN · Jul 11, 2007

Not a good idea........

AprilRNhere · Jul 11, 2007

Don't do it. I hate to sound blatant...and not...."whatever you think is best"...but remember there is no way of knowing what will happen in a pregnancy.

I planned a pregnancy during pre-reqs. I "planned" for my baby to be a year old when I started clinicals. I "planned" how long I woudl work to pay off bills...when I'd start stockpiling savings etc..

At 26 weeks I found out I was pregnant with twins. At 28 weeks I went into preterm labor the first time. I was yanked from work. At 31 weeks I again went into labor....and they couldn't stop it. The meds they used to slow it down made it impossible to study. I shook, I was sick, I slept most of the time it was aweful. I failed Anatomy. (luckily my school let me into the nursing program anyway...I finished my pre-reqs the summer after)

Not only possible medical issues..it is REALLY hard to leave a baby. Yes, you can do it and can justify that it's worth it. BUT- I adore my kids, and know continueing on with school was the best for my family. They were young and won't remember..BUT I WILL ALWAYS miss the time I spent in clinicals with them.

Why not wait a few years until you can focus on family. Sure..you might be working as a nurse..but you won't be working, and studying etc...

dustydawntx · Jul 11, 2007

Don't do it. I hate to sound blatant...and not...."whatever you think is best"...but remember there is no way of knowing what will happen in a pregnancy.
I planned a pregnancy during pre-reqs. I "planned" for my baby to be a year old when I started clinicals. I "planned" how long I woudl work to pay off bills...when I'd start stockpiling savings etc..
At 26 weeks I found out I was pregnant with twins. At 28 weeks I went into preterm labor the first time. I was yanked from work. At 31 weeks I again went into labor....and they couldn't stop it. The meds they used to slow it down made it impossible to study. I shook, I was sick, I slept most of the time it was aweful. I failed Anatomy. (luckily my school let me into the nursing program anyway...I finished my pre-reqs the summer after)
Not only possible medical issues..it is REALLY hard to leave a baby. Yes, you can do it and can justify that it's worth it. BUT- I adore my kids, and know continueing on with school was the best for my family. They were young and won't remember..BUT I WILL ALWAYS miss the time I spent in clinicals with them.
Why not wait a few years until you can focus on family. Sure..you might be working as a nurse..but you won't be working, and studying etc...

I totally agree !!!!! I had my first two kiddos early but it was long before I started nursing classes. At my school, nothing is an excuse, it DOES NOT MATTER why you missed class the fact is YOU MISSED CLASS. I would not even consider having any more small (under 3) kids until I am done with school. If you already have one or two little ones that is great. There is no good reason to "burn the bridges" (tubule or vasectomy). Please weigh you options before you jump head first into this big of a choice.

Now please understand that I HAVE 2 young children( love of my life 4 y/o son and the girl ((2)) that is making me pay for all the He!! I gave my mom.)

you are making a better life for the baby(ies) by going ahead and finishing school before they are born.

good luck with your decision. :twocents: Dusty

cabykay · Jul 11, 2007

If you're 20, why is it now or never? My husband's 38 and I'm 28, and we have none yet because we are waiting until I'm at least close to graduation to even think about trying. My mom had my little brother at 39. You have to look into how your program will deal with it, and if you'll be allowed to sit out a semester and start back up if you have any complications. Other thought - if you're not starting NS for another year, why not try now instead of waiting? Prereqs are much easier than NS, and you can often take them entirely online.

I have to agree. You're only 20, what's the rush? For the recordI'm 27 and my bf and I just celebrated our 3rd anniversary and won't be thinking about marriage OR kids until I'm done w/NS and established in a new job.

al7139, ASN, RN · Jul 11, 2007

Three people in my class were pregnant at various times. They tried to time it so that the birth could be planned for between semesters. It worked out for them, all three graduated with us.

WDWpixieRN, RN · Jul 11, 2007

We had one who gave birth at the end of the first semester (in the fall) and she took 2nd semester off last spring. Not sure if she'll be back this fall to continue on or not. This is an ASN/ADN program.

We had another give birth during finals during 2nd semester last spring. Last I heard, she was planning on returning with us in August for 3rd semester.

Another gal is pregnant and due in October. She was going to take 3rd semester off due to the timing, but our DON encouraged her to give it a try if she had childcare help for after the baby was born and told her if worse came to worst, she would just have to repeat the semester if health issues came up.

That being said, several young mothers of babies who started school with us dropped very early in the first semester. They said it was just too tough with too much time commitment required.

I think talking to someone on your campus might be prudent. Or I would try to have the baby before you actually start nursing school if you're still taking prereqs.

Whatever you decide, you are still very young and I wish you the best!!

prinsessa · Jul 11, 2007

I wouldn't do it. I have a 9-year-old and a soon to be 4-year-old. It is much harder to be in school with kids. I always feel guilty about not spending time with them when I am studying and then I feel guilty about not studying when I am spending time with them. We are thinking about having another baby, but we are waiting until I am done with school and have been working for a few years. Good luck with your decision!

ahartvigson · Jul 11, 2007

Thanks for all the replies!

A little background: My husband and I have two beautiful girls, and would like one more child. But I, coming from a family of siblings VERY spread out in age (3 years between the second oldest, and will be 21 years when another baby joins the family in a few months. There are 9 of us all together) am not so sure I want to wait until I am done with school and have 6 or 7 year gap between my youngest now and another child.

I know, I am young. And I realize I could wait, and I guess I put it wrong when I said "now or never" - it's more of a I would prefer now over later or never! I guess it just comes down to how the next several years of our lives are going to be (we will be separating from the military, moving home, I'll be trying to re-enter school back home to move on to my BSN..). So, the thought of one more child just seems to be "easiest" next summer sometime. :)

I did contact the program here, and she said she has seen many people get through it pregnant. Some timed it so they weren't due during a semester, others just pre-planned so they were only gone a week at most. Of course, I realize you cannot predict a pregnancy, which is a worry to me because you are right, that could screw things up big time.

Anyways.. thank girls. It's just been weighing on my mind, and one second I get excited thinking about having another child, and other time I just worry I would be getting into something that maybe I shouldn't during the program. Thanks again! :)

LMRN10 · Jul 11, 2007

Well, I am sure it's done all the time....but I wouldn't do it!!

I have a beautiful dd who I absolutely adore and I didn't plan her at all, but wouldn't trade her for the world!!! She was born in the middle of the semester of 2005. She'll be 2 in September. Everyone always asks me when I am having my next one and my response is no more until after I get my degree. I wouldn't dream of trying to go through school with 2 very young children...hard enough with one!!! I know if I had another right now, I'd never get my degree.

I suppose it depends on your support group, but I wouldn't be able to leave my newborn to go to school (I took a bit of time off with my daughter)...I would rather wait until our lives are in a bit of a better, less hectic place so I can enjoy my newborn more.

In my opinion, yes, it's great to have them close together, that is what I wanted. But I want to make sure that I succeed in getting my degree so I can make a better life for my family. I am 30 (will be 31 on Sunday)...right now, I'm looking at having another baby around 33, if I'm lucky! I'm willing to wait to have another child...after all the chaos!! Good luck with your decision!

I guess my main point is...don't base your decision of "now or never" on the fact that they won't be close together. You have two children right now who are (and girls at that). It's fine if they aren't close. My sister has three and then her fourth is about 7 years younger. They are just fine (and I am 7 years younger than my oldest sister. Her and I are very close and were also close when I was younger...I was like her baby!)

Lori