Pregnant - First year nursing student

Stephalump · Jun 12, 2012

All I can say is I would wait to make a decision until you actually have some experience with nursing school under your belt. Being comfortable being pregnant and being comfortable being pregnant when you're stretched to the max by nursing school are two different things, and until you've done it, you have no real point of reference.

Of course, if having a baby is top priority, you could always just do it and deal with any consequences later. Either way, it's going to be hard. Getting a job while pregnant is going to be hard. Being a stressed out new grad while pregnant will probably be hard. Being a nursing student with a bunch of kids and a newborn and the joys of pregnancy will be hard - because it's hard without any of those extra tidbits. So what seems more hard, I suppose? Or how desperately do you want your kids close in age?

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Jun 12, 2012

Planning is wonderful, until/unless things don't work out and throw a kink in your plan.

Everyone expects a normal pregnancy, and Lord willing it is. And while you are 'familiar and comfortable with pregnancy' you know each one is different. However, have you thought about the plan should your pregnancy not go 'normally'? Not trying to scare you or give you horror stories. What would the implications be if you did get pregnant during your first year and you end up with complications (bed rest, preterm delivery, and the vast array of things that can happen).

Even though you ask, we cannot make such a personal decision for you I had a normal 'run of the mill' pregnacy with my first, that is until at 32 wks my water broke and I delivered my daughter. My second pregnancy (although considered high risk) again, went fine..until at about the 36 week mark they noticed a big decrease in the amount of amniotic fluid and a slow down of the baby's body growth. I was put on bed rest, a c-section was planned, however my girl made an early appearance.

A 3+ year age difference is nothing. My two are 9 years apart :)

If it were me, I'd either A) get pregnant and deliver BEFORE I started school or B) got pregnant and delivered AFTER, I would never PLAN on getting pregnant during. Just me and my $0.02. Others may have a difference of opinion

caliotter3 · Jun 12, 2012

I would be careful with the timing of the birth while in school. I knew a nurse who had a child while in the RN program, took maternity leave with the assurance that she could return, then when it was time to go back, no seat in the RN program. Not saying that your program would be this deceitful, but one never knows.

tanner140 · Jun 12, 2012

Thanks for the input! All of these problems have been running through my head like crazy. As far as having a complicated pregnancy, I'll just take that as it comes. There is no way I could plan for any of the hundreds of complications that could arise. I really just feel like getting it all out of the way now. I will not be taking any leave from the program (unless of course I had a major pregnancy complication) so I am not worried about not being able to complete school. Also, I am, without a doubt, continuing by education all the way to Nurse Practitioner. There is no way I am waiting that long to have another child, so I am going to have to do it sometime. There is just hesitance, because anything could happen.

Stephalump · Jun 12, 2012

Well, it sounds like having a baby is your priority. So...I say just do it. Nothing is set in stone - there are a million variables, and you haven't even started your journey yet. Who knows where you'll end up? It sounds like having a kid is the only thing you really CAN be certain about doing. So I say go forth and take the consequences (good and not so good) as they come.

sandanrnstudent · Jun 12, 2012

I agree- go ahead with the pregnancy starting this fall! I had a CNA2 instructor that had 2 children while in a 2 year program. I don't know how she did it, but neither of hers were planned yet all went well for her. That's the only example that I know of regarding this topic.

Pray about it - is my best advice I can give!

sandanRNstudent

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jun 12, 2012

Thanks for the input! All of these problems have been running through my head like crazy. As far as having a complicated pregnancy, I'll just take that as it comes. There is no way I could plan for any of the hundreds of complications that could arise. I really just feel like getting it all out of the way now. I will not be taking any leave from the program (unless of course I had a major pregnancy complication) so I am not worried about not being able to complete school. Also, I am, without a doubt, continuing by education all the way to Nurse Practitioner. There is no way I am waiting that long to have another child, so I am going to have to do it sometime. There is just hesitance, because anything could happen.

True.....some schools have strict thoughts about this. As long as you are prepared for the consequences and it is what you want God Bless.

KB1975 · Jun 12, 2012

I have three kids, ages, 7, almost 9, and 10. I love my kids dearly! All I will say is it is possible to do anything you set your mind too. I will caution that there is a HUGE difference from two kids to three. My first two pregnancies were a nightmare, in and out of the hospital with things like, looming miscarriage, bed-rest (for days, then weeks which turned into months), spike of BP/ toxemia, decrease in amniotic fluid, baby with low heart rate, and one emergency C-section. My oldest child was born 6 weeks early, and my second 7 weeks early. My last pregnancy was amazingly different (to a degree). The first few months were a breeze, no hospital visits, no major issues, I was on cloud 9. I was amazed how "easy" this pregnancy was going, but I dare not say it aloud because of my past high risk pregnancies. Then it happened, my darling daughter brought home the flu from elementary school. I clearly recall the day that I became ill, February 15 2005. This date marked the day when all hell broke loose in my body. Having the flu caused me to get dehydrated, they contributed to "false" contractions (that turned into real contractions), one thing lead to another and I was put on strict bed rest (only allowed to go to the bathroom and MAYBE shower). Thirty seven days later, the contractions could not be stopped and I was brought into the OR for yet again, another c section. This time, my child was born just over 8 weeks early.

I mention this because you can NEVER know what will happen during a pregnancy. If that is your focal point, have a baby. But understand that you can never predict what will happen. When I started going back to school , my youngest was 4 years old . I must say, now that they are all in school all day long, it is SO MUCH easier, to study and go to classes.

Best of luck and you will make the correct choice for you

VictoriaGayle · Jun 13, 2012

I'm pregnant and starting nursing school. Orientation was exhausting for me, and I'm usually a bolt of raw energy!

How active were you during your previous pregnancies?

Were you a house wife, working, or at school?

Because nursing school isn't just book work, it's also clinicals.

Some schools require you to get a release from your OBGYN if you are pregnant or get pregnant.

What if your OBGYN wouldn't sign it, and you had to drop out of the program?

Do what you think is best for you and your family. Just think everything through!

Good luck with your school and family!

It's very inspiring to see a woman who is dedicated to her education/career and her family at the same time.