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?

copper t iud all the way. i have never had children, but i have successfully used paragard for 7 years. i love it, my gyno who does not have children loves it, and if you cannot use hormones it is the most effective option short of tubal ligation.

i do not personally allow myself to have slip ups. i would not have sex if i was not on bc and did not want to become pregnant within the near future.

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There are a variety of factors involved and while I have never done this personally I know many women who have.

First do you have a strong family support system in place or if not can you afford child care? One friend who is currently pursuing her MSN has a great family who love having their grand kids over and watch them while she is on school and even will take them overnight if she needs to study. She also has a 'plan B' child care in place in case the parents aren't available.

Another thing you really have to consider is what if the baby is born with disabilities or illness? I know this is something no parent wants to think about but when pursuing a tough commitment such as nursing school it needs to be thought of. My cousin was trying to conceive and got pregnant a few months before she was suppose to start a PA program. Unfortunately the child was born with Meconium Aspiration along with other disabilities (she had a stroke, suffered brain damage, partial paralysis etc) and was in a hospital over an hour away for almost a month. She had to drop the program because of it and never went back because the child needs full time care and is always in and out of the hospital. She wishes she would've waited to conceive and went to school first.

I would honestly say go to school first and get a career going and then worry about having a child. Don't add extra stresses in your life if you don't have to. If you happen to conceive while in school cross that bridge when you come to it.

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Specializes in med/surg tele, postpartum, mother baby.

If it can be avoided, you should wait. I know people who have gotten through nursing school with a new baby but not only is it extremely difficult, but school work and the baby both get less attention than they deserve. My daughter is grown and she helped get ME through school, I can't imagine how difficult it would be to have to take care of a baby and write care plans and study :/... don't do it

... unless your mom plans on doing ALOT of babysitting to help you!

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Truly, it doesn't matter if others have done this and succeeded. Really it comes down to....Do YOU want to be pregnant while in nursing school?

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I did it!

Although not planned, I was on the pill, I found out I was pregnant my second month into an accelerated BSN program. I did have some issues with my pregnancy that caused me to miss a couple clinicals, but I was able to complete the makeup work, went into labor after taking my OB final, was in labor 48 hours, got released 48 hours later and went to school the next day.

That being said you have to WANT to do it. There's nothing easy about it.

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I do not know anyone who has done it and I would in the strongest terms possible NOT recommend that someone try it.

I think the most probable result would be that the person would end up dropping out or failing.

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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.

Really can't delay school, given our financial situation. We are about to declare bankruptcy... So, obviously we cannot afford daycare. And my mother is not able to babysit for me. My mother-in-law has been doing all the childcare when I'm not around (besides hubby, who works 11 hr days) because MY mother is in bad health.

I think my mother is nuts - she is just trying to get me to have another baby becaue she is afraid that by the time I graduate, it might be too late for me (physically) to have another one. She had endometreosis, and ended up with a hysterectomy by the time she was my age. But I say, let the chips fall where they may. We are happy with our toddler who is just turning two. And if we end up with only one child, then so be it. I mean, I could always try in-vitro...whatever. I'm open to possibilities in fertility treatment. I know it's expensive because I did it the first go-around, but it worked like a charm! And now we have a beautiful boy. :-)

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Specializes in Telemetry.

nursing schools are extremely strict about time off. Missing more than one- two clinical in a semester will force you to have to repeat the entire semester. It is required by law and the board of nursing to complete a certain amount of clinical hours. So , you really cannot know if you will be in labor or hospitalized during that time. They will not cut you ANY slack on it. School is overwhelming, so is having a new baby- It will be damn near impossible.

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I had an 8 year old and a 5-month old when I started in my nursing program. I did an accelerated BSN program and it was hard being away from my 5-month old son. But it was do-able. I nursed him until about a week or two before I started and then put him in day care. I had a significant other who was less then supportive about caring for our son when I needed to do papers and things and that made it hard.....however if you have support its not that bad.

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I wrote an article about this topic and my experience with it: https://allnurses.com/nursing-articles/pregnant-nursing-school-450745.html

While I certainly wouldn't suggest anyone get intentially pregnant during nursing school, I have known several people that did have babies during school and were successful. I've also known those that failed out. However.. I've known more people to fail out because of partying too hard than getting pregnant. Moms just seem to have better time management skills than the average Joe.

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I waited until all my kids were in college before I attempted any kind of career. I didn't feel it was fair to my kids or my employer since I would have to take a lot of time off for my family. I know I am getting a late start in the working world, but my kids and husband come first,no matter what. If I wanted kids I should be able to stay home and raise them, not pay some daycare to raise them. I never missed one of my kids first steps, their first word, or their first recitals. Just my personal opinion.

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Specializes in Health Information Management.
I waited until all my kids were in college before I attempted any kind of career. I didn't feel it was fair to my kids or my employer since I would have to take a lot of time off for my family. I know I am getting a late start in the working world, but my kids and husband come first,no matter what. If I wanted kids I should be able to stay home and raise them, not pay some daycare to raise them. I never missed one of my kids first steps, their first word, or their first recitals. Just my personal opinion.

Very nice for you if that's what you wanted, but impractical for many people here.

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