Pregnant and in Nursing School....

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I am currently about 20 weeks pregnant. My husband and I found out we were expecting the last month of my spring semester! It was a complete surprise. I am due to have a "C-Section" the last week of this coming fall semester. My finals would be the week before the last week of school, so technically I could make it through. That is if I don't go into labor early. I really don't want to take the semester off because I will definately have to take the spring off to stay home with the new baby. Has anyone gone through a semester during their last trimester? My school says I need a note from my OB saying I can attend clinical without restriction, including lifiting! I will not lose my spot if I take time off, but it will set me back and I hate to dely this any longer. Also, for the record I am in a very competitive program and the department is notorious for being extremely strict. In other words I will not get any slack from these women. Help! I need some good advice....

Well if I were u I would hope and pray that I dont go into labor and make it to the scheldued C section. I myself am in a similar situation except maybe WORSE! I have one semester left to finish this fall I would be done in dec this year but I am currently 29 weeks pregnant. School starts back August 23rd and I plan to attend until my due date October 15th take a week off and go back the following week and finish up. Of couse this is hoping and praying there are no complications with me or the baby. Some people think Im crazy and should take the semester off others think it can be done and I should try. I was planning on taking this semester off and going back in January and being done by May of next year but my school informed me I would have to remeadiate which is for students who FAILED a nursing course ( which I havent) and then start back, which would put graduation off until December of next year! I'm really anxious to finish and think thats ridiciouls so I figure I might as well try to finish up now and if I cant, the outcome would be the same in the end. Good Luck to you!!

Wow. What a hard sitaution to be in! Is this last semester full time? Or is it only a few days a week? This is baby number 2 for me so I can tell you it will be very very hard. With that said though, it will only be hard for about 2 months. After that you are done!!! That's what makes it seem "do-able" to me. Yes it will stink, yes you will be tired and stressed, but 2 months will fly by, and then it's all over. It's so unfair that you can't take time off without having to "remediate", what are they thinking! I'll say a little prayer for you that the baby comes without a hitch, and you make it through come hell or high water! lol Good Luck girly.

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this is good info to know:

http://www.nwlc.org/resource/pregnant-and-parenting-students-rights-faqs-college-and-graduate-students

you probably can't miss clinicals though, as the school can't make the hospital let you back in for that. i'm not sure your reasoning for having a scheduled c-section, and it's not my business, but i would strongly encourage delaying it until at least your due date which is hopefully during your break between semesters. that way you won't miss class, and if you look into the new recommendations, ACOG is advising against non-medical c-sections. moms and babies have better outcomes with lady partsl births, if there is not a medical reason for the section :)

good luck! you can do it!

I am having the c-section for medical reasons. And why on earth would you think I would scedule a c-section at any earlier of a date then is medically advised. I can not as you said "dely" it until my due date. Are you even in nursing school? Or a nurse? I would never opt for a c-section. I am well aware of the benfits of having the baby naturally, and if that was an option I would do it.

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Specializes in ICU.
I am having the c-section for medical reasons. And why on earth would you think I would scedule a c-section at any earlier of a date then is medically advised. I can not as you said "dely" it until my due date. Are you even in nursing school? Or a nurse? I would never opt for a c-section. I am well aware of the benfits of having the baby naturally, and if that was an option I would do it.

I guess it's true what they say about pregnancy, it really turns a woman into a *****.

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I know girls who had their babies and then came back to class 2 days later because we could only miss 7 hours of class before getting kicked out of the program. Numerous girls did it. You can too.

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Specializes in Emergency/Trauma.
I am having the c-section for medical reasons. And why on earth would you think I would scedule a c-section at any earlier of a date then is medically advised. I can not as you said "dely" it until my due date. Are you even in nursing school? Or a nurse? I would never opt for a c-section. I am well aware of the benfits of having the baby naturally, and if that was an option I would do it.

wow, no offense meant whatsoever. i think you misunderstood my intent.

yes, i am in my final semester of nursing school. during our OB rotation we witnessed, and were taught, about the high rates of optional c-sections that sometimes moms choose, but are usually pushed on them by their OBs to be convenient for the OB to attend the birth. considering one of your other posts said you scheduled it because you were afraid to try to birth lady partslly, i thought perhaps you could wait for your due date during your break and save a lot of hassle with school. you asked for advice on the issue, and i went out of my way to post a link for you to your legal rights as a pregnant student in school, that have helped many of my classmates and friends. the last thing i was trying to do was insult you :uhoh3:

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@Colleen84 Its my last semester only 2 classes left, lectures two days a week and clinical one day a week for 9 hours so part time. Our semesters are broken down into 7.5 weeks rotations I will do Peds first from August 23rd to Oct 12th then finish up with Med-Surg 4 Oct to Dec 9th. Im really worried about going into labor the week of finals and having to miss them for Peds ( i'm due Oct 15th) and how Im going to feel going back one week after delivery. But I feel if I suck it up those couple weeks and everything works out I will be so happy come december I stuck with it instead of taking time off..

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Specializes in Obstetrics.
I guess it's true what they say about pregnancy, it really turns a woman into a *****.

You don't live up to your screen name. :down:

Good luck Colleen, you can do it. :)

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Specializes in ICU.
You don't live up to your screen name. :down:

Good luck Colleen, you can do it. :)

Thats funny, take this statement

I am having the c-section for medical reasons. And why on earth would you think I would scedule a c-section at any earlier of a date then is medically advised. I can not as you said "dely" it until my due date. Are you even in nursing school? Or a nurse? I would never opt for a c-section. I am well aware of the benfits of having the baby naturally, and if that was an option I would do it.

Sounds like a ***** to me, but I'll let you make up your own mind.

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Specializes in ER.

I'm also going through the same thing.. Currently 24wks prego & graduate on Dec.15 when I will be 38wks! Clinicals are the hardest for me especially because my instructor is very militant-like so that stresses me out. I have to be on my feet all day & it's not easy already!

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Just because something can be done, doesn't mean it should be done. I wouldn't risk returning. Nursing school will still be around after you have your baby. It's okay to wait for things. While you're waiting to return, you could be enjoying your baby and refreshing what you've learned so far in nursing school.

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I was in your exact same situation. I am currently in my third semester of a RN program.

I received my letter of acceptance into the program in March and found out I was pregnant in May. I was due December 13th, the Monday after finals week. I decided to go ahead with nursing school and I became very relaxed towards assignments, which I found out made nursing school way easier than constantly stressing out. A lot of people failed just because they stressed out too much. My instructors allowed me to double up on clinicals. I did my 8 clinicals for the semester in 4 weeks. Yes, two 12 hour clinicals back to back was rough, but once you're determined you will have no problem doing it. So, discuss this with your instructors. If they are strict they may actually prefer this. I got through 1st semester, had my daughter December 15th during the week after finals. I was able to enjoy an entire month with her during the break. I went back to school for 2nd semester and it was difficult, but I made it through it. It is possible. I made it while pregnant then with a newborn while a good part of our class didn't even pass Now I have an 8 months old mobile girl who wants to turn mommy's pages while she studies, but she's my motivation. If I can do it, anyone can. Just keep at it.

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I was 3 months pregnant when I started my first semester in the nursing program, passed, got my licence & work in a hospital. It will be tough but if you want to do it you can. Best of luck in your choice.

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