Pregnant before nursing school or while in school?

RscodADN10 · Jun 30, 2010

I have a 17 month old and I am waiting to hear about nursing school. I am also 6 months pregnant. The one school I am applying for I wont start their program until next year. My baby would be 1 by that time. The other program could start as early as March of next year the latest would be August of next year. Making my baby only 3 months or 1 year old. I couldn't bear the thought of having to start school with my child so little. From mom to mom to be wait. Go to school if Nursing is what you want. We all have baby fever but you would be in a much better place if you accomplished what you desired. NOT saying having a child would stop you. Just think how you will feel separating from your child so early. The love that babies bring and the tiredness really weigh on you. I see it this way wait and you will be able to enjoy your child. And work minimally. The other option is wait until you are almost done with the program and become pregnant then. That way you dont have to completely wait the amount of time your going to school to start your family.

I am torn apart thinking about the day I have to leave my children at a daycare for the first time. A whole day for the next two years apart from them.

Its such a personal decision. You really have to think about what is the best for you. YOU meaning you as an individual. Our husbands are great but you carry the child and you feel the separation and you must juggle school, a husband, a child, and work.

Dont know if that helps but I thought Id tell you my opinion.

BuffaloGirl · Jun 30, 2010

When I started the pre-nursing program, my son was only 4 mths old. It was terribly hard. My mind was on him when I was in class as my husband (whom I assumed would be supportive), was continuesly guilt tripping me for being in school when my son was so young. He wasn't in daycare as I took classes at night but being watched by hubby. My point is, if you decide to do go to school with an infant, make sure you have a good support system as you will need it.

moma8gma1 · Jun 30, 2010

Excellent advice/feedback from the previous posters.

The hard thing for you right now is to anticipate your feelings LATER when you have your newborn in your arms. What if you have ZERO interest in anything other than your baby? (Normal mommy feelings, by the way.) I've found that pre-baby we make all of these plans, but after the baby comes things are surprisingly different. Suddenly you are somebody's mommy, and you are experiencing feelings of protection and devotion that are completely new to you. Your thoughts are focused on your newborn and everything else seems insignificant in comparison. Oh, and you might have a foggy brain -- happens to many new moms.

Regarding school, I've heard nursing school is intense, and I can only assume that an accelerated program is even more so. Because most nursing programs recommend NOT working while going through their program, that signals to me that a LOT of outside time will be required to study and to rest/renew yourself. (Resting and renewing will be hard to do with a baby around -- trust me!)

So... might be best to postpone pregnancy until after you graduate to maximize your chances of success -- both in school and as a new mom. I have one last bit of advice: together with your husband, give yourself the option of being home with your baby. You can't know now, but you might feel very strongly about not leaving him/her with another caregiver for long periods of time. It might be hard to re-enter a nursing program if you drop out, but would be fine to delay working or to leave nursing for awhile while your baby is small.

Good luck to you! Whatever you decide, isn't it fun to imagine what is ahead for you?! Exciting things! :)

OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN · Jun 30, 2010

I have to say as a mother of two its very hard. It's not impossible by any means but hard. I highly doubt you are going to want to leave your newborn baby for the amount of time you will have too. Its also hard to understand how much time you have now and how much taht will change. I struggle with just going to school half or three fourths time, and am exhausted all the time. Your so close to being done why not just get pregnant towards the end and have the best of both worlds :) but congrats either way cause becominga mother has been the best thing ive ever done:up:

allnurses Guide · Jun 30, 2010

As a current nursing student, I can tell you without a doubt that being pregnant in nursing school is an extremely BAD idea. I cannot fathom anyone in their right mind would do it on purpose.

There are a lot of young mothers in the nursing program and they struggle a lot with guilt, with balancing school and family time and with finding time to study, take care of their marriage and still be able to sleep.

I would strongly encourage you to either delay your career goals or delay starting a family.

Shamrock317 · Jun 30, 2010

I would say to wait honestly. I am starting Nursing school in the Fall and I have two little ones. My son is 2 1/2 and my daughter is 10 months. I know I am going to have a tough time going to school and taking care of my kids, but I have a great support system with my family that it will take some of the stress off of me. I know that I am doing something to better our family and if I have to be gone more than I like right now than that is what I have to do, but in the long run it will be the best thing for them.

You need to do what is good for you and what you want b/c it is your decision. I didnt wait to have my 2nd one b/c I wanted them close and even though it would have been easier with only 1 I am happy with the decision I made.

GypsyRose911 · Jun 30, 2010

My advice for you would be to wait until you are finished to start a family. Of course nursing school can be done during pregnancy, or with little children it just makes things much much harder.

Also pregnancies can bring up some issues where you could possibly be on bed rest, etc. which could push back you finishing school.

I am in the same boat as you, I am 30 and would love to start a family, but I am putting it off until I finish nursing school. I

It will already be intense during school and you will need to focus all your attention on school. Once you graduate and have a position as nurse would be a better time. You will have more time to focus on your family without school taking all of your time. And the schedules available as a nurse would possibly allow you to not have to put your child in daycare if you coordinate a schedule with your husband. You want to be able to spend as much time with your little one as possible and delaying it a couple years will make it worth it.

Good Luck on your journey.

Smith.C74 · Jun 30, 2010

I would wait if I had the option. As much as you and your husband have baby fever, going to school with out having that extra drain on you physically/emotionally/financially, the better. You'll be able to devote yourself to your studies to achieve the goal.

polka-dot, RN · Jul 6, 2010

I agree...nursing school with a brand new baby or while pregnant would be a rather bad idea. If you had to choose one, I'd vote for pregnant during your last semester, but ONLY if you are very healthy with no risk factors. Even then, you'd have to anticipate the potential for severe nausea keeping you out of clinical (missing a clinical day is usually an automatic fail) or even having to go on bed rest.

You're young...you have plenty of time. If you were in your 40s, we'd be having a whole different discussion!

rietan01 · Jul 6, 2010

I know how you are feeling. I am currently in the Nursing Program. WAIT WAIT WAIT to have a baby. I do know how you are feeling. I am 26 and my husband is 28. We have been married two years and together 8 years. I have two brothers and a sister and they all have kids except me. In one year all three of them have had a baby a few months a part. I have huge baby fever. We are finally going to start trying next month so that I have the child after I am done with school. I am worried about being pregnant during school. Nursing school takes A LOT out of you. I would say either wait to have a child until after school or have the child and wait to get into school at least a year or so after the child is born. There are many people who drop out with young children. I don't have any children as do a lot of people in my program and we all have talked about how there are days you want to walk away from it. I can't imagine how anyone could do it with a newborn unless you are ok with being away from the child a lot. You literally have to study your life away to pass the classes.

lilykiss6 · Jul 6, 2010

i would say its a bad idea getting pregnant while in nursing school, i got pregnant while taking my pre-reqs, lucky for me i finished all my pre-reqs at 7 months pregnant, it was hard waking up 5:30 am cuz class was 7am, n i was taking microbiology n physiology, i never missed a class, after class ends at 1:30 pm, i went to work until 11pm. but i was able to take a semester off to give birth, went back to work 3 months after giving birth n starting nursing school next month, my daughter will be 5 months when i start school n i know its gonna be hard, but i keep reminding myself why i am doing this, its all for my daughter