I could use some advice

[Minkie]

Hi Everybody,

Looking for a some words of wisdom from women who have attended classes while pregnant. This is my first pregnancy and this is all very new to me. I am very determined to become an RN through an associate's program and I am working on my prereqs and coreqs before applying to the nursing school. So far I've earned a 4.0. I will be working less (currently work full-time but my partner understands that I will want to work less as pregnancy progresses and he will pick up some of the slack). Since I will be at work less often, it seems like a perfect time to hit the books.

Here is my dilemma. My due date is 12-27-09. The fall semester ends 12-15-09. So, I will be very big while at school at possibly very uncomfortable. If you have attended class at this stage of pregnancy, I would love to hear about your experience. I know that I may very well miss finals and have to accept an incomplete. I would be willing to deal with that. I do not much care for the idea of online classes. I get very anxious about something going wrong with my internet connection that could affect my ability to do my work. Also, I don't want to work 3 times as hard (that's what everybody says anyway, not sure if it's true.) I will probably only take 2 classes. One will be A&P II and the other might be English II I think.

Anyway, thanks for reading. Your thoughts and experiences are very much appreciated. Early registration starts Monday. I really want to go for it, but I'm a little nervous.

[CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

One of the women in my accel BSN cohort was preggo during the program. She did just fine, but arranged with the prof to take the final a bit early "just in case" her delivery occurred during finals week. I think she ended up packing in some extra clinical hours ahead of time, so that wouldn't be an issue after she delivered her baby.

You might want to touch base with your nursing program director to see if any arrangements could be made.

Go for it!

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

I was pregnant with my second child during school. Lecture was very uncomfortable so I would bring 2 pillows with me. It helped greatly and everyone understood. Just remember to listen to your body, it knows what it needs most. Congrats and good luck!

[JBudd, MSN]

I wasn't pregnant in school, but I did work up until a week or two before delivering each of my three. The question really is how is your pregnancy going? I puked for many loonnngg months but the last trimester was actually the easiest for me. I was active and pretty well able to do all my duties (medsurg at the time).

I agree with Cuffler, check in with your instructors. Study with your feet propped up. Keep crackers and something sweet with you to treat those sudden sugar drops. Get good shoes, with a little room to stretch.

And Congratulations!!

[jenniedennise]

Hi!

Congratulations on your little one! :)

I was working on my pre-reqs and was just about to apply to some nursing programs when I found out I was pregnant. I had to do my final term of A/P and had a ROUGH time. I had horrible "all day" sickness that first trimester and I had to leave most of the labs because I was so nauseous.

It didn't help that that final term of A/P was mostly about the reproductive system and pregnancy. One of the labs was dissecting [some animal, probably pig or cat] uterus that had a fetus in it. Totally walked out of that lab. Luckily, my lab instructor was VERY understanding. :bowingpur: There were 3 other pregnant girls in that class - they were all much further along than I was and they didn't seem to have any issues.

I was so frustrated though because I'd had A's in all my pre-reqs up to that point and ended up missing an A in that class by a couple points.

Once I got past the first trimester, I really think I would have been fine. I was no longer nauseous and had a lot more energy. I really think I would have been fine taking classes in my 3rd trimester. My baby ended up being 11 days overdue, so the finals wouldn't have been an issue either!

I took a year off to just stay home with my baby...then, didn't get into a program last year...but I was accepted to a program this year and I start in September. Now, I'm nervous about doing NS with a toddler!! :uhoh21: I know many people have done it before me though. :)

Good luck with whatever you decide! :)

[Minkie]

Thanks everyone for your helpful replies. It's nice to hear from other people who have been there. I want ahead and applied for AP II. I wish I could just take one class, but then I won't get any financial aid, so I will probably take the English class as well. I am still trying to imagine myself in those little lecture hall chairs with those annoying little fold over desks and my 10 pound textbook. And the dissections! I guess I will learn how to position my body while working so I'm not a totally useless lab partner.

A customer at work (who doesn't know I'm pregnant) just happened to tell an interested little story yesterday. Her daughter was born with a spinal problem and had an 11 hour surgery in early childhood. The surgeon was 9 months pregnant. That was ten years ago and the mom was so amazed by the surgeon's skill and fortitude that she's still talking about it! So, I guess I can make it through lab and lecture. Not saying it's going to easy, but it can be done.

Thanks again everybody.

[jdallnurse]

Good luck... I was in the same situation, due date 12/25 and semester ended 12/16. I was determined to finish the semester but my feet were so swollen and I was too tired to study or concentrate. I had to withdraw in November b/c it was too uncomfortable. But I know a classmate who did it without any problems. She made arrangements w/ instructors and they were very understanding. Everyone is different, so give it a shot, but I def recommend not working!!