Pregnant during nursing school?

[heatherhammy]

I just got accepted to start a 2 yr BSN program this Fall (yay!). My husband and I were originally planning on trying for another baby this year and timing it so I would be due the summer between the 1st and 2nd year. Well, I just saw how intense the schedule is for the third semester (3 eight hour days and 1 twelve hour day) and I couldn't imagine doing that with a newborn.

So I was thinking that maybe we could time it so I was due early next year and I would take the spring semester off. I suspect this would delay my schooling by a semester, but I'm okay with that. But can you do that in the nursing program, or is it once you take a semester off you have to start all back over?

One issue I thought of with that is that I would find out I'm pregnant before I started this Fall, would they still let me in knowing I'm pregnant?

My other option is to wait until I would be due after I graduate. Logically I know that would make the best sense, but I really want my kids to be closer in age. Also, I'd like to start working soon after I graduate.

Anybody have experience with this? Or know how it works if you take a semester off?

[flyingchange]

2 girls in my 4 year BSN program have had babies within the last few months. One has taken a semester off and the other had her baby after Christmas and just kept right on going.

It's going to be hard however you swing it, but it might be easier to just push on through those study sessions while your little one isn't crawling yet or asking you to come and play :)

[sch1109]

Just my 2 cents but I would wait. When I was taking my pre reqs, I found out I was pregnant right after classes started. I spent my entire pregnancy working and taking AP I and II, Microbiology and Chemistry and it was really tough. I can't even imagine what it would have been like being pregnant during nursing school! I also planned on taking a little bit of time off after my baby was born and jumping right back into school but I ended up having a Cesarean and other complications and had to sit the next semester out. Pregnancies can be tricky because each one is different and you never know what to expect and even though you want to plan them to go a certain way there are no guarantees everything will go exactly how you plan it. But in the end you really just have to do what you think is best for your family :)

[Addy3]

I havent been to nursing school yet, but I have had 4 babies. The first thing that comes to mind is the complete and utter exhaustion you feel during pregnancy, even in the early months. The other thing that would freak me out is "mommy brain" not a scientific term but very REAL nonetheless. After I have a baby all I want to do is devote 110% to that new little one.....and catch up on sleep when possible.

So I wouldn't recommend trying to get pregnant during school, but if it happens it happens.