Pregnant and Want to get my CNA

[mrsb04]

I am 5 months pregnant and would like to take the 3-5 week CNA course that a local facility provides in my area. I am wondering if being pregnant would hinder my ability to take the course? I know you have to assist moving patients and am not sure if that would be safe for me, as my doctor recommends not lifting more than 30lbs. Has anyone every completed the training while pregnant/should I just do it anyways? I won't have anytime after the baby is born to take the course before applying to RN programs, so I am thinking now is the best time. Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! :)

[blue cna]

30 lb lifting limit? there is NO way id WORK as a cna like that, the course maybe yes. ive had to catch people falling, plus the misc other things that just happen. then youve got your combative residents who try to kick you in the stomach. i would say u could take the course while pregnant, but not work as a cna at all, especially by the time u pass the course when ur further along

[Gabby_101, BSN]

First off CONGRATS ! I am also five months pregnant. I have worked as a CNA for almost five years. My OB told me that as long as I was used to the bending and lifting that goes along with being a CNA I was fine to contine my normal duties however if it were something new he would not recommend it. I don't think that you would have a problem with taking the classes but rather problems when it came to the "clinical" portion. I don't know of any CNA job (at least anywhere I have worked) that doesn't require lifting more than 30 lbs. I remember my early days as a CNA working at a nursing home and how I was sooooo tired and sore for the first few months until my body got used to it. I can't imagine doing that while pregnant. There are still a lot of time at work now that I have to sit down and take a rest because I start to feel crampy. I'm sure if you take the class you won't be the first nor the last pregnant student and I'm sure it can be done but you just have to think about the risks. I wish you well on the baby and also the CNA classes (if you choose to take them). :) Good luck!!

[calidonrnstudent, BSN, RN]

When I took my cna class, we had a girl who was also 5 months pregnant in our class. She completed the class but could not do the clinicals. The school worked with her though, and she just has to take a week of clinicals once she had her baby.

[afromom]

I completely my CNA program when I was 8months pregnant. I started a 6week challenger course when i was 6months pregnant and passed my exam at 8months pregnant. If your course involves clinicals, i think you'll still be able to do it because usually you are paired up with someone from your class and they usually avoid assigning you patients that need to be lifted if they see that you're pregnant.

[hefrosmiles]

Do it!!! My CNA/CHHA class was 16 weeks with clinicals in long-term care, hospital, and homecare settings, I was 8 months when the program ended and took my test just before Maddy was born. She is now 2 and I work in a hospital ED and don't regret the hard work and determination it took to complete the program. It was harder for me than it was for the other girls but because I was prepared for that it worked just fine for me.