Pregnancy and Nursing School

Cyn2school · Aug 20, 2009

I was 30 with my daughter and 33 with my son...they're great relatively normal young adults now...

caliotter3 · Aug 20, 2009

We had pregnant students in my program. Women get through nursing school while pregnant all the time. I would suggest discreetly talking with an advisor about your timing, or just think it through yourself. I remember seeing a thread about this some time back and if I remember right some told how they planned it out (have baby in summer before final semester, etc.). It can be done if you want it badly enough. Good luck. And by the way, my Mom was 33 when she had me and 39 when she had my brother and we turned out semi-ok.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Aug 20, 2009

I currently attend an LPN-to-RN (ADN) completer program at a trade school, and three female students have been pregnant this summer. One woman gave birth in June, another gave birth in July, and the remaining woman is due on September 8th.

The common theme with these females is that they all had to return to school almost immediately after giving birth, which can be stressful. The two women who gave birth this summer all returned to classes within 2 or 3 days after their babies were born. They had not had that complete postpartal recovery, and there's no such thing as "maternity leave" when you are a nursing student.

If you have a supportive spouse, a good support system outside your home, and a backup plan for babysitting, I'm assured you could attend school while pregnant and still make it to graduation successfully.

LeesG · Aug 20, 2009

When my sister was in LPN school she knew a girl who was pregnant and the rules for absence was NOT bent for her.

I think they were aloud 1 missed clinical day for the semester. Lucky for the freind she has the baby I think on a Sat or Sunday, took off Monday as her 1 miss for the semester and back in school Tuesday.

Yikes !!!!!!!!

JBGC4 · Aug 21, 2009

It's no secret I have always voiced my opinions on this subject, lol. If you and your husband are healthy individuals, then why not just wait the few years? I've stated before, that while I had one wonderful pregnancy, I had a miserable second pregnancy. You can't predict morning sickness and how bad yours may be. You can't predict bedrest. And since you haven't experienced pregnancy before, I can tell you, you can be extremely exhausted. Not just tired, but plain exhausted.

Pregnancy during school I wouldn't say is what concerns my in these situations at the most. I would say it's having a newborn while in school. What if your baby, (and I certainly hope not) is collicky? What if you have a little one that is a preemie? Or just sick a lot? Or, like most babies, doesn't sleep. The first few months of a baby's life is very unpredictable, not to mention the no maternity leave and many dr's visits. And, honestly, it takes a new mom a little longer to adjust. The beauty of being a new mom is just sitting back and enjoying that new little one. The little one you just can't take your eyes off of. If you were my bestes friend, I would tell you to wait, until you can enjoy that baby!!

Another consideration would be your schools level of competitiveness if you will. If you look at some posts you will see every school is different. For example, my school make you pass EVERY exam w/ a 76% This is tough! This is a sign to me that I will have to work even harder to achieve a good grade. Heck, at this point I just hope to pass.

I look at the mothers I am going to school with now. We all share a common worry, and that is that we are all worried about the amount of time we need to study and having small children at home. Our kids can feed themselves, practically bathe themselves, entertain themselves, sleep all night long (usually), and fall asleep on their own. They don't need diapers either!

The choice is yours. It's your plan, and I've always asked myself or have said to my friends when they think of having or adding to their family, "is there ever really the perfect time to have a child?" No, there isn't. There is always a reason to put it off or to start trying now, lol. That being said, you can have this baby while in school or after. Best of luck to you!

lavendersapphire · Aug 21, 2009

I'm a year younger than you and am also looking to start NS next fall. With that said, we've been trying to get pregnant for nearly a year and there's no way that we're going to stop trying and getting fertility testing just because of NS. To us, its not worth putting it off for 2-3 years after going through the heartache we've been through this past year.

If you and your husband have throught it out and you guys can handle the fact that you may not get pregnant right away and/or get pregnant during NS, then go for it.

sstephens04 · Aug 21, 2009

Thanks, I really appreciate it! Good luck to you and your husband.

sribell86 · Aug 21, 2009

I just had my daughter 6 weeks ago and I'm in between semesters, and while I love that she's here I would have rather waited till I was done with NS. It feels like I'm going to miss out on alot not being home with her. But women do it all the time, it is possible.

Scrubmouse RN · Aug 21, 2009

Possible, but risky. As a pp mentioned, you can't predict bed rest, preterm labor, complications, etc. I had to withdraw from my first semester of nursing school because I was put on bedrest for a complication. It broke my heart, but had no choice. If it is a risk you are willing to take, then by all means go for it.

nevergonnagiveup · Aug 21, 2009

I'm seven months pregnant and in my third semester of nursing school. This pregnancy came as a BIG surprise for me and my husband. I already have two older children (15 and 11) so having a third was not in the picture. If I had a choice of when to get pregnant, it would be after school.

Thank goodness I'm having a healthy pregnancy and the baby is fine but my body wants rest and unfortunately I can't do that. I'm always sleepy and have back pains. My nausea/vomiting has subsided (thank goodness) but I have gained a considerable amount of weight. My school's campus is huge with alot of hills so I have to give myself extra time to walk to classes.

On a positive note, I'm not saying it can't be done (I'm doing it) but it will be a bit stressful especially when the baby is born. Thankfully my program is very understanding and the assistant dean even wants to be godmommy!

I hope whatever you decide, that it works out for you.

sweetiepeas · Aug 22, 2009

For me my pregnancy was pretty great BUT I was tired ans slept alot. I could not imagine going to school during that. Plus when my son was born I don't think I slept more than 4 hours at a time for about 7 months! Now thankfuly he is a great sleeper. I had him just before I turned 35, I will be 41 when I graduate and I would like to have another after school.

So for me you are still waaaay young and have plenty of time. Not to mention your hubby continues to produce sperm until he dies, so age isn't "as" much of a factor for him.

So if it were me, I would wait. That is one stress not needed. Plus when the baby is born you will get to spend more time with him/her.

Good luck w/ your decision.