Health dilemma + school clinicals = what to do??

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Hi all!

I am cureently having a health dilemma that is causing my husband and I to have to reevaluate our plan. I applied to start clinicals for a bachelors program this coming January. It will be 2 1/2 years to completion. We decided to put off kids until graduation (I quit a previous job to go back to school for this). The issue is we found out I have severe cervical dysplasia. I have had 1 procedure already (LEEP) and when the results came back she wasn't happy. I'm about to do a second procedure (cold knife) and once I heal from that she wants us to knock kids out so she can do a hysterectomy as soon as possible. We want 2 kids. The idea of this all getting pushed at once is intimidating. Has anyone had children/been pregnant during school? I'm scared to wait for kids, as things may progress in a negative way and may lose my chance at children. Should I push back school? Is this all possible at once?

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As someone who has struggled with infertility myself, personally I wouldn't wait to try for kids. I'd do school and maybe just stop "trying to not get pregnant" and see what happens. Or maybe try an ADN or LPN program that's not so long instead? I went to school (LPN) with a women that was pregnant, she took a semester off when she had her baby and then came right back and just graduated a little later. Good luck.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

School can be deferred if it proves too difficult for life circumstances. Your OB-GYN is recommending that you NOT defer babies. Babies aside, it sounds like waiting would mean a significant risk to your health

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Some people manage to combine pregnancy and new babies with nursing school, but I don't know why anyone would want or choose the grief of trying to do both. Sounds like you are being told you have a limited window of opportunity for children. Nursing school will always be there.

Best wishes!

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I had my first baby in between terms in nursing school. My program was 18-19 months long. I graduated on time.

If you really want children, I wouldn't wait. I'd try for both. It is doable. But I was also lucky to have an uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery and full term baby.

Best wishes!

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I would start nursing school because some schools might not allow you to defer your acceptance. Once you already started the program and need to withdraw for health reasons, and in good standing, they will always let you come back.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

If you want kids then I wouldn't risk putting off babies to go to school in your situation. You can always go to school, but it sounds like you won't always beable to have children. As far as doing both at the same time it really depends on the pregnancy. It is possible to do both, women do it all the time, but it does depend on how pregnancy will be for you personally.

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Specializes in Adult Primary Care.

I would do both! You can always take a break from school if you need to. I started nursing school with a one year old and had my second while in school (many years ago).

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I want to try to do both ... I just don't want to hurt my program process through this. I need to meet with a counselor tomorrow. If it's goin to reflect poorly then school will need to push back a bit :(

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I'm not saying this to be rude, as I also have cervical dysplasia, in fact going for my next biopsy this week, but I would reflect if you truly want to have the two children. It does really sound like you do, I am just asking you to reflect. Maybe you decide you don't or maybe you decide to have multiple. I know when I was told about this it somehow revved up my drive to do it in an anxious manner and I thought I wanted to, but after reflection decided I really didn't. It would be nice, but I really didn't want to that badly and definitely not at this point in my life. Remember that there are many choices, not just one. I am definitely not trying to talk you out of it so please do not think that! I just know from experience when the doctor says "you should hurry, let's start working on that" I had to catch myself, slow down and really think about it.

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I appreciate that ... but it is a for sure thing.

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I am not a woman and I don't want children, so this may not mean anything, but I would have your kids now if you can make it work financially. You can always go back to nursing school. You can't undo taking the risk to have children later and being disappointed if you lose your chance. This is a very hard decision.

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