Prove my Mom wrong, please

Nurses General Nursing

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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?

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?

Why would you need to prove anything to your mom? It's your body and your decision. Just shut down the conversation any time it comes up.

I did a year long accelerated program and during orientation they told us don't get married, don't get divorced, don't have a baby, don't move.

Just use some form of birth control for as long as you need to NOT BE PREGNANT and then let the chips fall where they may :). Easy solution! We had one person get pregnant and deliver her baby a couple of days before finals (at the end of three of four semesters). Her baby had impeccable timing, thankfully! If your mom is willing to help you out, take her up on it! Not sure what her agenda is for getting you in and out of the program fast, but take advantage of her help. I wouldn't stall your nursing degree in case you may get pregnant, because it could take you months anyway!

I had easy pregnancies, so I could see going through school while pregnant. I know I don't have it in me to leave a newborn at home without me for more than an hour at a time... The first year goes by so fast and is so important to the baby. Sure, the mom can do whatever she wants, but I think having mommy around for as much time as possible is the way to go.

Specializes in ER/ float.

just don't have sex! it's that easy.

Specializes in Health Information Management.
Just because you can, doesnt mean you should.(....)I wouldnt attempt school while pregnant or with a newborn, it is just going to make it harder on you.

This times 1,000,000!

There is a big difference between an idea being theoretically possible and that idea being practical or wise. I've never tried going through a rigorous academic program while pregnant, but I've gone through each separately and I can tell you there's no way I'd try doing both simultaneously. I understand your concern regarding your pregnancy window given your age and the complications you faced in your earlier pregnancy, as I'm in a similar situation. However, that doesn't mean it's a smart move to actively attempt to get pregnant while (or shortly before) being enrolled in any sort of demanding academic program. My advice is either work on getting pregnant now and defer your educational plans for a time or work on nursing school and defer any attempts at conceiving until after you're done.

As other posters have noted, this is an extremely personal question with a lot of different "right" answers that are dependent on many different factors like support from family, financial resources, level of responsibility, and the individual's personality. So my advice (like that of the other posters) probably isn't worth much to you. However, one thing I can say for certain is that it's a really, REALLY bad idea to allow a family member to talk you into a life-changing decision.

I wish you the best of luck, whatever you decide!

Specializes in MCH,NICU,NNsy,Educ,Village Nursing.

What is the best for you? That is what the decision should be made on, imo.

Specializes in Med/Surg.

I just graduated from an accelerated program. My daughter was 4 months when I started. The accelerated programs are very tough and time consuming. Since everything is packed into one year, you really can't miss a single clinical or day of class and still finish on time. If you were to go into labor and miss clinical, it would set you back a semester. I had some classmates get pregnant towards the end of the program which was fine or, like me, had babies before the program started. However, giving birth during that one year would make it impossible to graduate on time.

Specializes in maternal child, public/community health.

In my accelerated program, a classmate showed up the first day pregnant. The school tried really hard to convince her that she should delay a year but she refused. She had an uncomplicated pregnancy. She had the baby on a Saturday, was back at the library on Monday, pre-lab on Tues, and clinical on Wed. She did not breastfeed and her mom more or less raised the baby for the first year. (Her mom was okay with that. In their culture, it is not unusual for grandparents to do much of the childraising.) Her husband also cared for the baby. She did graduate on time but she sacrificed the first year of her daughter's life.

Is it possible to be pregnant and do an accelerated program? Yes. That does not necessarily mean it is wise. It would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, unless you have someone who is willing to care for your baby from very early morning to late at night (and probably some overnights if you are at school really late and have early clinicals.) and you are willing to do that. Accelerated programs are tough. Without a pregnancy, student moms/dads already often feel torn between school and their family's needs. If you had a complicated pregnancy, you would be forced to drop out- you really cannot miss classes and definitely cannot miss clinicals.

This is a personal decision (and don't know why your mom is in on it??) but I think you should think seriously about it before planning a pregnancy while in an accelerated program. If it happens, you have to deal with it. (You do know about non-hormonal birth control, right?) I assume your program is a little over a year. It is probably more practical to wait and attempt pregnancy when you are almost done or after you are done. That said, having children is not always practical but we have them anyway!

Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

Wow, this is a very personal decision. I can only offer what I would do in this situation...get a Mirena IUD!

I've never personally done it. I do know the accelerated programs are very fast pace. I do think it could be done with no complications of pregnancy, however I think it would be very hard and stressful and I don't know you'd want to do that to the baby. Pulling out is 80 percent effective. I'd say, use condoms and pull out if you want to wait :) Good luck.

Specializes in PeriOperative.

I did it. I had a rough pregnancy, complete with hyperemesis and progestesterone injections. I missed one day of class (was sent home because the vomiting was disruptive). I went into labor and gave birth during clinicals (luckily, I was on my OB rotation, but it was a little weird to have to switch roles like that halfway through the day.) I graduated with a 4.0.

If you think you can do it, I'm sure you can. If you think you can't, you're probably right. You know yourself and your capabilities better than anyone else. Good luck with nursing school.

Specializes in Rehab.

I was pregnant when I started first semester. Had the baby the summer between 1st and 2nd semester. He was 5 weeks when 2nd semester started. It was a pretty straightforward pregnancy though with minimal complications. I breastfeed him all the way through 4th semester until he was 16 months old. When he was 12 months old I found out we were having another. I just graduated this past December 6 months pregnant. This is my fourth so I've been pregnant twice, breastfeeding, and taking care of 3 kids during my 2 years of nursing school. It's not easy, but it can be done. I relied on Zofran during those first months to make it through clinicals and had professors that allowed me to take breaks to pump during the day. I also had a wonderful husband and a good daycare (although expensive!) and somehow managed to graduate with a 4.0. Whether you are in school or working, either way it is going to be difficult, but eventually you just gotta live your life. Good luck!

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