Prove my Mom wrong, please

[NurseBanana]

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?

[BabyLady, BSN, RN]

I will tell you from personal experience, that once you hit age 30, every year is critical as far as having trouble with conception..you may not have the kind of time you think you have.

I would consider a few things:

1. Are you going to be ok with your one child if you never have another.

2. I partially agree with you about not having a baby in school...lots of people are pregnant during school and do just fine...however, if you get put on bed rest, that isn't going to fly with your program, especially if you end up with a c-section. I tried telling a close friend this recently and she practially waved her hand in my face telling me that she had the "best" OB around and that her pregnancy was textbook, therefore, her labor should be too.

Well, during her labor the baby suddenly flipped breech and the OB could not turn the infant...last US showed a large infant and he said there was no way he was going to take a chance of the baby getting stuck...so off to the OR she went along without a medical clearance for 8 weeks.