Prove my Mom wrong, please

MJB2010 · Jan 16, 2011

It can be done, but I wouldnt recommend it. Just because you can, doesnt mean you should. School was intense and all consuming. Clinicals are high stress and physically exhausting. I wouldnt attempt school while pregnant or with a newborn, it is just going to make it harder on you.

FLArn · Jan 16, 2011

I have not been in the same set of circumstances as you are but even keeping in mind that every pregnancy is unique; imho, it would be way too much to go to school, take care of one little one and go through another pregnancy like the one you have described. School will still be an option once you have completed your family, but pregnancies generally are not any easier once you are older. My advice would be finish your family then school. My 2 cents for whatever it's worth.

ukstudent · Jan 16, 2011

Did not personally do it.

One person I went to school with, had complications with the pregnancy and dropped out for one semester. When she came back, she was so overwhelmed that she failed out.

Another class mate was strongly advised that she should sit out a semester and come back. She decided to stay, luckily the baby was due during spring break and cooperated in arriving (she had also talked to her OB about scheduling an induction if it did not happen naturally). 5 days after the baby was born she was back in class and clinical's. She passed her exams and became and RN when the baby was about 3 months old.

morte, LPN, LVN · Jan 16, 2011

I think you are being logical and should persue the baby thing first.....

MomRN0913 · Jan 16, 2011

That's a very personal decision. Only you can decide. my exH and I started trying by the end of nursing school. I didn't get pregnant because of his infertility, but that was't the right timing. I couldn't imagine not only nursing school, but my first year as a nurse and first year as a mother. We did have a child with IVF, and he left me 6 months later! So I am kind of glad I was settled as a nurse then....

Do what's right for you.

eriksoln, BSN, RN · Jan 16, 2011

I knew a girl in my class who graduated and had a child during spring break. She was lucky in that her due date fell during a semester break I guess. But even then she had problems from it.

Also, something that stood out to me was that you said you were entering an accelerated BSN program. Thats pretty intense. IDK, but I think the two will eventually collide and force you to choose one or the other. Which one you choose obviously is a personal matter that no one can really help with. Different people have different agendas/motivations to their opinion.

Five years ago, I would have said "Go to school now, get your career on the right path BEFORE having children." Now, a little older, eh..........don't feel so strongly about that. Heck, my brother in law and sister barely have jobs much less a career and they have three children.

Malrut · Jan 16, 2011

I had a two people in my class get pregnant while we were in nursing school. One person dropped out, it was her first child, and the other stayed in and finished. However, she had already had one child. I wouldn't especially if you are doing accelerated BSN. It's a lot of busy work and studying.

Guest27531 · Jan 16, 2011

My mother and I are having a debate about whether or not you can deal with a pregnancy and newborn while going to nursing school. I say that you should not attempt either. The school is expecting a committment from you and if you are going to have a baby, you should do that, and THEN go through school, or wait to have the baby until AFTER.
She seems to think that it might be possible, somehow, and that I should "find out" - however that is going to happen (?). I am 34 and applied to start in an accelrated BSN program starting in May. So, I was planning to try for a second child after I graduate. However, I am not on any BC, because I am so sensitive to the hormones. So, it is possible we could have a slip-up and get pregnant.
My first pregnancy was no joy-ride. And I am expecting the same kind of issues with a hypothetical second one (low progesterone levels, pregnancy-induced high BP, gestational diabeties, bed rest near end of term...) I don't feel that I have a whole lot of time left to have another baby, since I will likely be 36 when graduating.
What are your opinions, or experiences? Is there anyone out there who has gotten pregnant in the middle of a nursing program? What happened?

Nursing school is extremely demanding. I would never recommend anyone to purposely try to successfully complete nursing school and have a baby simulaneously, however, it happens. IF you have a difficult pregnancy...and IF you breast feed (I hope you do)...you will likely need to take a leave of absence. It is also possible you will go to school and not get pregnant...right?

One thing is certain, if you don't start school at some point, you will never become a nurse...

If you get pregnant first (right away) you will delay your start by 1 year which wouldn't be bad (jobs for new graduates are hard to find right now). But, what if you don't get pregnant right away? Are you ok with delaying your school start by 2 years? If so, I would recommend taking care of the pregnancy first, particularly given your history of pregnancy problems.

Either way, I wish you and your family the best.

netglow, ASN, RN · Jan 16, 2011

I have a friend that went through a pregnancy while in school. She did fine. Had the baby 1 week before a new semester started and didn't skip a beat (although was seen to have a slight limp that first week of school :)). She was not young and stupid, she was in her thirties and school/nursing is just one part of her life. She had planned this pregnancy to deliver over break, and she did. I know of a few others that also went through pregnancy in school: one experienced "baby hormone-induced loss of intelligence" and ended up not making grades for class and had to drop back and wait to petition for re-entry. Another barfed her way through, made some trips to the ER for fluids, but delivered post graduation.

Advice I'd give, is to never let your parents push on these things that are between you and your husband. Also never assume family wants to be raising your kids for you while you are in school. Not that you would, OP, but I know a few people that force family to do this, over and over again. I have said to friends that if they cannot afford childcare, and they know they won't be at home to take care of this new baby, where on earth did they get the idea that family/friends want to be saddled with raising your kids?

oklahomagal · Jan 16, 2011

If your looking for a highly effective way to avoid pregnancy have you considered a copper T IUD? There are no hormones in it and it might help you have ease of mind during this time of life.

GHGoonette, BSN, RN · Jan 16, 2011

As has been pointed out, this is an intensely personal decision; however, there is one thing I think you need to take into account. You are already 34, and I don't need to spell out for you the increasing risks for both mother and baby as you age.

If you are reasonably sure you can successfully complete the course in one year, it could be an option to plan on falling pregnant about 6 months into the course; that way you could get your degree, then take about 6 months off to have your baby and get your support systems in place before looking for work.

But at the end of the day, the choice is yours, I'm just offering my :twocents:

Good luck, and enjoy trying