pregnant during first year as new nurse?

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I've posted over on the student nurse forum about my family planning - hubby and I were originally thinking about TTC for the first time in the late summer or fall (I graduate from my ADN program in May 2007). However, almost everyone responded with a resounding NO (don't get until school is over). However, I will be 29 by the time I graduate, so I won't want to wait too much longer for my first. So I am considering TTC once I graduate and pass the boards. However, I am concerned that being pregnant as a first year nurse will possibly be worse than being so in school. We only have 6-7 hour clinicals 2x a week and the school work has not been difficult for me thus far. I'm much more worried about transitioning into being a "real nurse" for the first time. However, if I wait until I'm comfortable in my job, I am concerned that I will be pushing my age further than I would ideally like. Anybody have experiences/advice to share on the topic? Thanks for listening!

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Specializes in ICU, telemetry, LTAC.

Oh, honey, thirty isn't dead, nor is it old. Will your household be able to get along financially if you take time off for the baby? Give yourself the benefit of the doubt that you may want to take 3-6 months, or more, if you're able. Unless you have health problems now, you could probably handle a pregnancy a year or two from now if the finances aren't stellar at the moment.

Of course, this is reminding me of one of the board's posters taglines: "If you want to hear god laugh, tell him your plans."

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Indy, thanks!

Nah, I know 30 isn't old in any sense! My sister is 36 and due any day now with her first baby (however, I would not wait until my mid-30's by choice).

I don't have any health problems now. I just got to thinking that it is more ideal from a health & fertility standpoint to have one sooner than later, and we have been married for 6 years (hubby is almost 34). At first I was thinking that being pregnant in school then taking a short break before beginning my first job to have a baby (if I had lucky timing) would be an idea. Like I said, the folks on the student board heavily warned against it, so I was thinking of going off the pill as soon as I graduate instead. That way I'd be likely to get a year of experience under my belt before having a baby. I am just concerned that being pregnant during my first year as a nurse might be extremely difficult.

Financially, yes we could handle 3-6 months of me not working if needed. But we do need me to be able to return to work eventually, at least part time.

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SecondFiddle,

I completely understand what you mean when you said that you don't want to put having a baby off any longer. I am just starting nursing school this fall (2006) & am waiting until I am finished to try to have my first. My husband & I have been married for two years & have been trying the entire duration of our marriage. We have been referred to a reproductive endocrinologist, but want to wait until I graduate to try any high tech methods. I will be 28 when I graduate & am so afraid that it will take forever to get pregnant-if I even can (gulp)! I guess I just need to focus on school for right now...

Good luck with the rest of your nursing program & baby-making!

Rachel

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Specializes in Cardiac.

I just got to thinking that it is more ideal from a health & fertility standpoint to have one sooner than later.

Well, to be honest-a women's fertility starts to take a steep dive around ages 30 and again at 35. My sister had a baby at 36 and did fine (of course it can be done), but unless you are in touch with your personal fertilty, then you could be wasting precious time. It's not about what anybody else has done or how old other women have been...That doesn't mean a damn thing if you get hit with infertility issues. And if your DH turns out to have any issues, you sure will want to be in your best shape-fertility wise.

I've been trying for years, and trust me, the weight of wasted time on your shoulders is terrible.:o

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I was 9mo pregnant when I graduated back in 1994, I actually had our son the day after graduation! Clinical were ok and I didnt have any problem. I wish I would have stuck to my guns back then and taken the nclex till I passed then the transition to go to work and have kids would have been much easier, but now that our son is 12 I wouldn't have traded the time with my kids for nothing. Time well spent not to mention we have homeschooled the last 5-6 years. This is their first year in school (public) and I have since passed the boards (june5th) I am freaking out just a tad to say the least! man I really admire working moms!!!! I know they say the same about me but the scheduling is a killer!

I would just say to make sure you know what you want! 100% with hubby! then go from there! You will be greatly blessed either way as long as you and your hubby are on the same page. I understand not knowing if it would burn you out or be better for the baby, can I ask what your daycare plans are? Do you have family?

AmyD RN

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found out i was pregnant for the 1st time week before nclex(im 30 and just graduated in may)wanted to try during last year of school, but glad i waited, the stress of possibly failing the boards knowing i was pregnant was horrible, because i would lose my new job, but now i'm thrilled and settling in-the stress of graduating, looking for a job and nclex is all behind me and i can enjoy everyday of my first pregnancy!! try to hold out if you can!

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