Should I wait to have a baby?

LunaHawk · Jul 16, 2015

I see this through the eyes of a woman who struggled with infertility, so.
Some women's fertility is intact and A-ok at the age of 37. Other women, however, aren't so blessed (or cursed, depending on how you look at it!) and have maxed out fertility-wise by 30. It's really independent.
My advice to you is to go to your OBGYN and ask for some very simple fertility bloodwork that will tell you your current fertility status. These tests are FSH, LH, Estradiol, and AMH. Have them drawn on cycle day 3. You will be looking for FSH that is preferably under 8, LH that is similar to the FSH level, estradiol below 40, and AMH of around 2.5.
If everything is copacetic, then I'd go ahead with school.
If everything is not okay, then time is of the essence and if having children is important to you (it sure would be for me), then how you proceed is up to you and your doctor.
A lot of women have a false sense of security when it comes to their fertility, when in reality most women have impaired fertility (in some capacity) by 37. Female fertility declines after the age of 27, taking a big dive after 35.
Just my $.02.

I agree! There is no time limit with nursing school, but when it comes to fertility, there most certainly is a healthy time limit and at 35 years of age, well the chances decrease healthy or not.

TLizS · Jul 17, 2015

I agree that if a family is what you TRULY want....you shouldn't put it off too long. we are in the process of trying to figure out when to start trying for our 3rd baby. I just turned 30....I have 3 semesters left of the ADN program. I intend to go straight into a BSN program (online) *hopefully* pretty quickly after I graduate.

I think that you CAN have it all....it won't be easy.....but if you are committed and have a good support system it's doable. Also....a first baby is a BIG adjustment.....it turns your life upside down for awhile....so if you can time it th where you would give birth during a break that would be ideal. For me the second baby was not a big change....we took it slow for a couple weeks but were back to normal life in no time....because having a toddler just didn't give me any downtime.

I think our plan is to start trying during my last semester....hopefully I will be able to get pregnant within the first few months trying and give birth a little bit after graduation. I will be able to work on my BSN while on maternity leave. Depending on the timeline of when I got pregnant/graduated I don't know whether I will apply for nursing jobs @graduation or wait until after baby is born. I work as a PCT now and will hopefully be able to work throughout the pregnancy.

There are a LOT of what ifs......but you can't let what ifs rule your life....just make sure you are covered with your nursing program (can withdraw for a semester and come back or whatever) in case there are complications. I am a firm believer that there is not perfect timing for getting pregnant....there are always going to be complications, reasons to wait, whatever.....so you just have to go for it and work out whatever comes along

Mommyfuturenurse · Jul 17, 2015

37 is not a bad time to be a mom! I say wait. I have not been privileged enough to attend nursing school, but I have been blessed enough to be a mom. I am only in my pre-nursing courses and it is very very hard. He is now in preschool and I must adjust my classes around his. In the beginning babies get sick pretty darn often and you cannot miss class in nursing school. It will only be a 2 year wait and you will end up with double the blessing!

belletifi · Jul 19, 2015

I was just accepted to nursing school and will start the two year program in September. I am 35 years old and won't be done with the program until I am 37. My boyfriend and I really want to have a child ASAP because neither of us have kids and after 6 years together it is something both of us are ready for. Is it possible to complete school while pregnant? My age concerns me because I don't want to be 40 and having children. I also have worked very hard to get to where I am academically and don't want to give up on that either. Is it unreasonable to even consider having a baby and finishing school at the same time?

at your age i would say go go for it, youre at an advanced age for childbirth/child rearing, their are so many resources for moms going back to school you might be eligible for free or reduced day care and you would probably be eligible for many scholarships and funds, i am 26 and married with no children and i am starting nursing school in august 2015 and i am trying for a baby, MY PROGRAM IS 18 MONTHS LONG/ I STOPPED TAKING MY BC after 2 years of BEING ON IT. IF THEIR IS A WILL THEIR IS A WAY, YOU HAVE TEEN MOMS OUT HERE MAKING IT, YOU ARE 36 YEARS OF AGE CAN DEFINITELY DO IT, AS WOMEN ARE BIOLOGICAL CLOCK IS TICKING MAMA!!! MY ADVICE TO YOU IS GET BUSY :)