Thinking of having a baby while in LPN school

Published

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?

Specializes in Critical Care (ICU/CVICU).

I have to agree with the majority of the posters here. MOST nursing schools are T.O.U.G.H. Regular college courses don't even touch them, as far as stress level is concerned. EVERY grade matters (especially if you want a job and/or have grad school aspirations). And I couldn't have IMAGINED being prego while doing it. It's your life, but you have been warned. (and I agree with one of the posters... most professors don't give a flying *&^% about sympathy)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatric and Mental Heath.
Give your spot up to someone who really wants it. Not to say you don't want it, but I've never heard anyone say they WANT to have a baby during school.

I was going to say something to that effect, but i didn't want to sound mean . LOL

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I didn't really find what I was looking for here, I guess women who have gone through this before use baby forums and get more support. I really do want this (school that is), and I do not plan to give up my spot.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatric and Mental Heath.
I didn't really find what I was looking for here, I guess women who have gone through this before use baby forums and get more support. I really do want this (school that is), and I do not plan to give up my spot.

Mallory,

You seem like you want people to tell you to have the baby and that nothing will ever go wrong. I support you having a child. having a child is wonderful! I just wouldn't CHOOSE to do it during such an important/stressful time in your life. It seems like you are more focused on being a mom than being a nurse. As women, sometimes we have to sacrifice the things we want for success. please don't see this as a "mallory bashing" party. as a AN member, we love you and we want what is best for you. We would be jerks if we just told you what you wanted to hear. its your life, your family, and your body. as aspiring and current nurses, we want you to succeed! pregnancy+nursing school does not always equate success. you should know the pros as well as the cons in order to make an informed decision.

no nursing student plans on dropping out, but life happens. that's what we want you to know. the chances of something going wrong are multiplied if you get pregnant.

xoxo

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Mallory, we just want to make sure you realize the decision you are making and the possible consequences for school that could come from this. Also, on this post, you HAVE seen mothers give their input who had a child while in nursing school. You asked for opinions and you got them. But they are just that--our opinions. If you want a baby, then go for it! We just wanted you to weigh the pros and cons of what could happen if there were complications and to make sure you have a backup plan or that you have all the bases covered. You may not believe us, but we have your best interest at heart because we want to see you succeed and be the amazing nurse that we all know you can be!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Forensic Psych.

Some have done it and succeeded, some have done it and failed miserably. If you're a gambler, you could always just go for it and see what happens! If having another baby is worth any potential school consequences, then go for it!

I've had three pregnancies and newborns and each wouldn't effected my schooling differently. My first, no problem. My second, I had so much pelvic pain from about 10 weeks I could barely walk. My third? Pre-eclampsia, bed rest, emergency early induction, birthing complications, a horrible postpartum period, and the kid didn't sleep through the night until he was one. Do you know how worthless i was after 9 months of terrible pregnant sleep and 12 months of getting up during the night? I can't imagine i would've done well in school You just never know and you never think anything will happen to you until it does.

I also, personally, wouldn't have any desire to spend a significant amount of time away from my newborn. I know many, many people do it because they have to work, but I wouldn't choose it and have planned my life so I have at least the first 18 months at home.

So, basically...I have no helpful advice hah. I'm sure there are people on this board who have done exactly that with great success! You probably won't here from those who didn't make it though. They probably don't hang out here :)

And, no, I didn't read any of the past posts, so sorry if it's been repeated 8 billion times.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in dialysis.

I was pregnant in lpn school and it was not a walk in the park...(I had my son apr 2010 graduated feb 2011 I was supposed to graduate june 2010) I was not taking good care of myself due to being stressed out by all the deadlines and crazy schedules and my husband had lost his job and I was only working part time. I went in to pre term labor twice...and developed pre eclampsia. I wouldn't Recommend it because I felt like crap most of the time and I graduated later than expected because of complications with my pregnancy and having to go on bed rest. My program was not the type of program where you could go on leave although they made an exception for me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

LPN school wasn't my first choice either. I was an alternate for a RN program, but not enough people dropped out in time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I didn't think it would be a walk in the park. I just wanted to hear others experiences. After talking with my husband, I think we have decided to wait til after I'm stable in a nursing job, even I that's not my first choice.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Forensic Psych.
I didn't think it would be a walk in the park. I just wanted to hear others experiences. After talking with my husband, I think we have decided to wait til after I'm stable in a nursing job, even I that's not my first choice.

Honestly, and I don't mean to minimize your feelings, because I think a majority of women have been in your shoes...baby fever! I envy the people who never go through it.

Anyway, you are about to be very, very busy. Like, life alteringly busy. Where your main thoughts will be sleeping and squeezing in family time, not dreaming of strollers and corificeats.

In my experience, the less busy I am, the worse the baby fever, so I have a feeling you'll be just fine and the time will FLY by. My first two are five years apart due to my past educational goals and it wasn't at all what I wanted, but quite frankly, now that they're here I really don't care or put any thought into the difference.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Honestly, and I don't mean to minimize your feelings, because I think a majority of women have been in your shoes...baby fever! I envy the people who never go through it.

Anyway, you are about to be very, very busy. Like, life alteringly busy. Where your main thoughts will be sleeping and squeezing in family time, not dreaming of strollers and corificeats.

In my experience, the less busy I am, the worse the baby fever, so I have a feeling you'll be just fine and the time will FLY by. My first two are five years apart due to my past educational goals and it wasn't at all what I wanted, but quite frankly, now that they're here I really don't care or put any thought into the difference.

It doesn't help when your family and friends are all having or have babies. My daughter is already 15 months, time flies! It seems just like yesterday when she was born.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

This is going to be long, I'm notorious for that :p

Don't let anything stop you!! I was in a 12 month LPN program starting April 2011, every 12 weeks we got a 1 wk break! First semester was ok but then second semester I was going out to the bar a lot with my friends and found out 2 weeks before the quarter ended I needed to bring my grade up 6% or I would fail.... I buckled down and somehow did it!!!!! 2 weeks before I found out I was failing I found out I was pregnant! I was so stressed smoking a pack a day and drinking red bulls every day now I had to just stop omg the first month adjusting to the surprise pregnancy again was Hell I had nothing to calm me down now or keep me focused when I used to use cigarettes and caffeine to cope! I also had a 2 yr old at home and my boyfriend relapsed so was back on drugs and broke which he was supposed to be my financial support during school!!!! Just so u know how bad it was I was using restaurant gift cards from my bday and Xmas for lunch bc I had no money now (all my unemployment income went to bills and school).

My due date was 2 weeks after school ended but I ended up delivering 8 weeks early (maybe from stress but i had a Hx of preterm labor too) so my baby had to stay in the NICU for 5 weeks. I went to clinicals the day after I got out of the hospital and only missed one day of class which was the day I delivered! My uterus had been contracting for 12 weeks but I would've went to school that day anyways but I woke up at 5am which was weird and I had a lot of energy and was bleeding so I just had that feeling I was going to deliver. Then I ended up doing my five 8-hr days of preceptorship the week my baby came home bc I didn't think he was coming home yet! I was like on auto pilot I just kept counting down til I graduated even 1st quarter and kept focusing on that next test. II pumped every day during every break in my car and visited my baby at the NICU every day after school with my 3yr old and still had better grades than 80% of my classmates!!!

How? I have no clue! I was in the 30% of people to pass the HESI too! Both my children were unplanned but this was the best surprise ever, he is 5 months old and now my 3 yr old has a little brother he can't wait to play with! And it didn't affect anything, i still graduated and no one would've even thought i was pregnant!

Don't ever let anyone discourage you, you can accomplish anything that is thrown at you trust me! Support helps a ton but I didn't have much support at all so it's not needed! Only 1 friend came with me to the NICU and my dad didn't even come see him. After I found out my baby wasn't coming home with me nursing school seemed like a breeze. I still had over a month left but no nursing test was harder than leaving my baby at the hospital and going home. I'm only 22 and I feel like everything happens for a reason. God's not going to give me something I can't handle and with that attitude I just keep pushing through. Yeah it was hard but I didn't let having another baby get in the way, if anything he was even more motivation for me to do well and graduate!

If you want another baby you should just get pregnant and go with the flow. I'm only saying this because you have another child and I know how happy my son is to have a little brother and they are three years apart. I wanted my son to have a younger sibling too 2-3yrs apart but i never planned it while I was in school bc i doubted myself that I could take that on in addition to school. I'm so glad it happened bc I underestimated myself and after all I've been through there is no excuse for 35% of my class to get held back while I graduated!

My story is a bit extreme but no matter what was thrown at me (bf of 4yrs cheated on me, surprise pregnancy, close fail 2nd quarter, bf relapsed, dad DUI, preterm labor, NICU baby) I never let ANYTHING get in the way of graduating!! If you have that same attitude you have nothing to worry about :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion