Thinking of having a baby while in LPN school

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I start LPN school on August 20. My husband and I have a 15 month old, and we would really like to keep our kids about 2-3 years apart. Our plan is to try for a summer 2013 baby since I will have the entire summer off school, then finish up in the fall. We are going to be very careful about timing, as to not to be due during a semester. Our daughter already goes to my sister-in-law's home daycare, and she said she would be more than happy to watch any future kids also.

Any thoughts on being pregnant while in school?

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To be brutally honest, it sounds like a very dumb idea! LPN school is hard enough not being pregnant, why would you want to put even more on your plate? I couldn't even imagine being pregnant and having to do a clinical, they're ever labor intensive. What happens if you have complications and can't attend the rest of your schooling for the year? Have you really put any thought into this other than you want kids an x amount of years apart? Also, check with your school to see if you're even allowed to be pregnant while in school. My school does not allow pregnant woman to attend for health reasons.

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My school does allow pregnant students in the program, they will even allow time off if you have the baby during a semester. I am really asking for people who have done this before to tell me how it was for them, not to have someone tell me I'm stupid.

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My school only requests that you tell them early of your pregnancy so that they can better delegate clinical...you do what's best for you and your family..and your not stupid for wanting to have your kids close together ;)

Anything is possible with hard work and dedication. You know yourself best!! Is it something you are able to do? And if having a leave of absence is possible and is what you need to do than do it...

Good luck on your journey!

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My friend just graduated from her LPN program and then passed her boards. She did a part time program which lasted two years, while working full time. She also had a toddler and got pregnant. I know it was very hard for her having two kids/being pregnant while in school, and working--but it was not impossible since she did make it through the program and she did pass her boards. I personally wouldn't do it just because that is more added stress I don't need and school is my first priority so I can make a better life for my family, so I need to focus, but if it is something you really want, then go for it, you CAN do it. :]

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Thank you for your reply! :) You are a great encouragement.

My school requires that you have a signed note from your doctor saying you're in good health. We are going to try to have the baby during the summer, so I won't be going into labor while in school. If we don't get pregnant within that time frame, we plan on waiting til I graduate. So it's not like I'd have an unexpected pregnancy lol.

I have already been in school when I was pregnant with my daughter, and I graduated with my AA at 9 months pregnant. We have a really supportive family, and I know I can do it. I am married, so it's not like I'm a single mother, my husband already has a stable job so he is a lot of help at home.

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Do you attend a community college and how long is your program?

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The LPN program I'm attending is 15 months in length, ending December 2013. It's at Lively Technical Center in Tallahassee, FL.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.

I know this is not what you want to hear, but I wouldn't recommend it either. During my last semester in the LPN program, four of my classmates found out they were pregnant. Two did just fine, and delivered after we finished the program. One girl had her baby about three weeks early, and ended up failing a class. The last girl had to go on bedrest due to complications she was experiencing, and was dismissed from the program. It's just something to think about....

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Nurse2bKimberly, I understand what you're saying. My husband and I have also thought about waiting to get pregnant til towards the end of the program (the last semester). I know not all pregnancies are the same, but with my daughter I had no problems and had her at 39 weeks 3 days. We are just really anxious to have another baby.

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I totally understand where you are coming from. I just had a baby 3 weeks ago. We planned it so she would be born in the summer when I wasn't in school. I was doing my prereqs and working as a cna while I was pregnant. If I was in the lpn program at the time, I probably would have been in a heap of trouble because I had to go on modified bed rest in may. I had a great first pregnancy and my second one was issue after issue, including a rare labor complication that landed me in the or with 4 blood transfusions. I can't lift more than 10 pounds for 8 weeks. So I start lpn school 6 weeks in. my mom makes fun of me that I can't lift my books I need every day. You just never know what can happen. I know that you will do what you feel is best for your family. But pregnancy can complicate even the easiest things.Also think if you are going to breast feed. Are you going to want to pump while you are gone so much? Will you want to be asking someone at every new clinical site where you can be alone? Something to think about.

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dancingostrich,

That's why I'm thinking we should wait to get pregnant til the very end of school. Yes I do plan on breastfeeding for as long as possible. I only breastfed my daughter up until she was 1 month do to some problems. I guess my husband and I need to sit down and talk again and decide.

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