I'm pregnant and starting the program in June

khone904, BSN, RN · Jan 31, 2011

Hi everyone! Me and my husband always wanted kids, but we wanted to wait until I'm done with school. He teaches at Fresno city college. We just found out that we're pregnant! I waited three years to get into the program, now that I'm pregnant I want to go ahead and continue with my plan. I really need everyones opinions, is it possible to have a baby and still manage to do the work? I'm due at the end of September so it'll be during my mid second semester. I would like to have my baby and not take a break and go back to school asap. I know that it is hard, luckily my mother in law is eager to help with caring for my baby while I'm in school. Please, tell me I'm not crazy!

scibruin · Jan 31, 2011

Words of encouragement for you. Nursing school is going to be tough, having a new baby is going to make it even tougher, but if you are committed and have a good support system, you can do it. Be prepared for hard times ahead but just know there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It sounds like you have the help you will need, so I say follow your dreams!! Best of luck.

Scooby-Dooby-Doo · Jan 31, 2011

If you have a very supportive family and a loving and understanding hubby, then I say go for it! Nobody said this will be easy as nursing school really will wear and tear you out, but keep your head high and you'll make it.

All best.

khone904, BSN, RN · Feb 1, 2011

Thank you! I can do it!:)

ocmama · Feb 1, 2011

I did it! You can do it too! I was pregnant and due the day of my finals during the "hell" course that we all dreaded, because usually about a quarter of the class didn't pass and this course was known for "weeding people out" of the program. I passed and my daughter came late (really late because I think I willed her to stay in until I was finished with the quarter). I took the next quarter off to be home with her so I could breastfeed on demand and just get used to being a mama. The next quarter I went back, but only took theory classes so I wouldn't have to be away for too long at a time. The quarter after that I went back full time (and had to pump during clinicals). This is what I did and it worked well for me, just make sure you get a good academic advisor so you meet all the requirements since you will be doing things a little out of order. Random advice: if you are nauseas carry lemon drops with you to clinicals, it helped me a lot since I felt really sick most of the time. If there is a will there is a way!

KCMedicRN · Feb 2, 2011

Nope your not crazy!! As others have said, if you have a good support system you can do it. Although I wasn't yet in a program, I found out I was pregnant the first week of the semester that I started A&P and was due the next semester during finals week. I didn't take any time off from school, breastfeed on demand, my husband even brought the baby to the campus during my breaks so I could feed her. I took heavy loads after she was born since I didn't go back to work and pulled down an excellent GPA.

Keep in mind is not all pregnancys, deliveries, and babies are equal. Just because one person can do it doesn't mean everyone can, so don't be hard on yourself if you find it is a bit too much.

Good luck!

nomoreschool · Feb 3, 2011

I was in an accelerated one year BSN nursing program and my son was 5 months old at the time. My mother helped with the baby sitting, which really helped me. You can do it!!!! I am glad I did because now he is a toddler, I get to spend more time chasing him and not worry about school. However, I cried many many times while in school because I missed most of the important events in his life (his first words, when he started to walk, ect...) but I am so so happy that I finished the program now, it's all worth it. You can do it!!! The faster you get your education done, the sooner you will have time with your child.

NAURN · Feb 7, 2011

I recommend talking with the head of your nursing program. Find out how flexible they are willing to be. I know the program I was in was really strict and if you had to take a leave, you pretty much had to start over, hopefully in the semester you left off in but it was up to the head of the dept.... and so many people fighting to get into nursing school, there's the question of space. Also consider YOUR expectations. Are you thinking of taking a long time off after birth? I personally was pregnant with my son during nursing school, but it was in the last semester and I didn't have him until after I graduated, but had I had him at any other point, I think I would have been screwed. If you are able to come back, or maybe even make up missed work, i would get back asap. Even a week or two if possible... it wouldn't be much to sit in a classroom. But talk to the head and get her/him in the loop on whats going on.

future_la_nurse · Feb 21, 2011

Congrats and where there is a will there is a way. You will make it through, it may take you a lil more time but it will be well worth it. Just make sure when it comes to clinicals that u are very vigilant about safety. Good Luck =)