Pros & Con's of baby making while in nursing school.

Published

Hello everyone. I'm 26 I have a 7yr old son, and a 7 yr old stepdaughter. I start nursing school Jan 4th, upcoming spring. My question is what are the pro's and con's of conceiving a child during nursing school. Our children are getting older, and we are not getting younger. Please give testimony, feedback and your best advice. I have been contemplating this for sometime, while pursuing other degree's before this one. Please help!

Specializes in DD, PD/Agency Peds, School Sites.

I wouldn't even consider getting a pet during nursing school. Or a houseplant.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've just been accepted into my program so I'm not in nursing school yet, but I was pregnant with my twins while completing my prereqs (physiology and microbiology) and it, for lack of a better term - SUCKED! Just dragging myself to class was a herculean effort, never mind the nausea and brain fog that comes with pregnancy isn't conducive to the best grades. I actually almost vomited on the blood samples while determining clotting factors during my Phys lab final! I got my lowest grades while in those classes (a b- and b respectively) and that almost kept me out of the running in this pool of applicants.

It's taken me almost three years to get back to school. I love my boys and they were a wonderful surprise, but I would have already graduated and been working by now and unlike you I am not in my 20's so I'm really pushing to get this finished. I have a friend that had just started her LPN course when she discovered she was pregnant. She made it through, but my God it was hard taking care of gangrenous feet during clinicals while 3 months pregnant. She also had to hide her pregnancy for as long as she could so they didn't throw her out of the program. So while I can appreciate not wanting to space your children too far apart, you have all the time in the world at 26 to complete your family. Give nursing school the time and attention it deserves.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I had two classmates get pregnant while in nursing school. One had great timing and gave birth during a 3 week break. She was able to have family members watch the baby and she jumped right back in the next class. The other took a few months off and then rejoined the program, although now a couple of classes behind me.

IMO, nursing school is not the ideal time to try for a baby. Then again, babies are seldom conceived exactly when you want them to be. I would put off procreating until you've graduated and secured a job...

But if you do end up getting pregnant while in school, it's not necessarily the end of things. Though keep in mind that you may have to be flexible about when you continue the program.

Best of luck whatever you decide!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
26 is not old

Considering that I was in the AMA category when I had my second and last child, I have to agree: mid-20s to early 30s is still prime childbearing time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical care.

Without reading through all the comments I just wanted to share that I was in your situation and we had a baby during school. I had a ten yo stepson and a 2 yo daughter... It has always been my dream to have kids who were close in age and to do that we needed to add a kid stat. But, I also needed to finish nursing school- so we did both. We got pregnant with my now baby and she was due three weeks after the end of nursing school. She ended up coming early, during the last week of school instead! It was a huge cluster but in the end it all worked out, I graduated, passed boards, I'm working in an ICU and I have the family I always dreamed of.

-all this is to say- if it's important to you, it can be done. Not easy... But it can be done.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Just my input: I'm 25 and a non traditional nursing student who is in the LAST semester of nursing school & currently 6 months pregnant. Expected delivery date right after graduation. Planned that way, but now that I'm in the situation I probably would wait until after getting my first job to get pregnant.

So far the only cons I've had (since I've had a normal pregnancy thus far) is preparing for a job interview at my dream hospital in my dream position. Although they can't technically "discriminate" due to pregnancy, I'm extremely worried they might not hire me for that reason and blame it on something else.

But, nursing school hasn't been difficult for me. I work 3 jobs, I'm very active, and I make As and high Bs. I have a supportive husband, great faculty/clinical instructors and I had a normal pregnancy and easy delivery once before with my son. So although I know every pregnancy is different, I am just praying that all goes as planned and I'll secure my first new grad job & be super mommy with a 6 week old and a 6 year old!

Good luck!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice.

OP, I haven't read all the posts, but I can't find where you stated whether you are the actual childbearing partner in your family.

If yes, then I'd put it off.

If not, your partner would have to be ok with carrying the bulk of the burden, which is not only pregnancy and childbirth but caring for a newborn and her own health afterwards, if she's not ok with that, then put it off.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Three of my nursing school classmates were pregnant and gave birth during the program. It only worked out well for one classmate.

1. Classmate #1 was a married 26-year-old who gave birth to her fourth child during the program. Due to plenty of family support, she made it with no issues.

2. Classmate #2 was in her 20s with an abusive live-in boyfriend and give birth to her third child during the program. The baby unexpectedly died a couple of weeks after birth. The boyfriend and classmate were fighting, and she accidentally dropped the baby during the fight. Still, she graduated.

3. Classmate #3 was married, in her late 30s, and gave birth to her fifth child during the program. The baby was underweight because this classmate was a heavy smoker. After giving birth, this woman never returned to graduate with our class.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion