Unexpected pregnancy in nursing school?!

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My fiancé and I just found out last night that I am unexpectedly pregnant. I estimate that I'm about 5 weeks, which would put my due date a little over a month after my expected graduation. I'm terrified! It was not planned, but we aren't okay with termination or adoption. We want our baby. Now I am so scared that this will be a problem at school. Will they allow me in clinicals when I'm 7-8 months pregnant? I feel like it would be wrong to not allow me to complete school for being pregnant but Id imagine there will be things in clinical that my doctor would not want me doing in the third trimester. Has anyone gone through this? Any advice? I'm scared to talk to the school about it. Thanks!

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Do you have a handbook for your program? There is probably something in there about pregnancy! I knew a girl who took off a couple weeks for her pregnancy, she was in clinical probably up till the end... It probably all just depends on how the pregnancy is on you and what the school policy is.

Definitely consult your handbook!

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There was a girl who pregnant during clinicals. It didn't affect her ability to participate in school. She would just be really tired and sometimes bloated or nauseated during clinicals. Luckily, it was not a fast-paced clinical. Oh, and she had twins.

And congrats! At least your due date will be well after you're done with classes!

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My fiancé and I just found out last night that I am unexpectedly pregnant. I estimate that I'm about 5 weeks, which would put my due date a little over a month after my expected graduation. I'm terrified! It was not planned, but we aren't okay with termination or adoption. We want our baby. Now I am so scared that this will be a problem at school. Will they allow me in clinicals when I'm 7-8 months pregnant? I feel like it would be wrong to not allow me to complete school for being pregnant but Id imagine there will be things in clinical that my doctor would not want me doing in the third trimester. Has anyone gone through this? Any advice? I'm scared to talk to the school about it. Thanks!

I've seen a few people go through this. One girl stayed until then end and wasn't restricted from clinical. She had the baby right before finals and came in to take the final and passed. Another decided to take a semester off, have the baby, and came back this fall to finish. ANOTHER girl I work with had her baby the day after graduation.

It can work out but remember two things:

1. Every pregnancy is different. You could be extremely sick with hyperemesis, pre eclampsia, etc. That may make clinicals and school really challenging.

2. Babies come when they want and it's hardly ever on their exact due date. You can't exactly plan everything.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Neuro ICU, SICU.

I had a girl in my class that was pregnant with twins until a couple weeks before we finished. She didnt have any problems at all... I work with like 4-5 pregnant chicks right now. It's against the law for your school or work to discriminate. As long as you and the baby are healthy and your doc approves, you shouldnt have any problems. Congrats!

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We had a pregnant student in my class. I believe it is doable though it is not ideal. Congratulations!!!

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Mine was unexpected, though delivered at the beginning of the first semester, but I still had to get clearance from my doctor to return to class and clinical. They just might require a note from your doctor clearing you for clinical once you get to be so far along. That's how my previous school was going to handle it. I would talk to your instructors and/or DON to find out their procedures and policies during pregnancy if you can't find it in your student handbook.

Congratulations!

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Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.

As long as your dr okays you for clinical you should be fine

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I know I have my handbook somewhere in my boxes of nursing books lol. That's great advice, thanks so much for responding!

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Our clinicals haven't been super fast paced either. Our first semester was physically demanding because we were doing CNA work and transporting patients. I personally think I would be fine to participate as long as I don't have any complications. I just hope that the school is cooperative with pregnant students. I did read the equal opportunity statement for my college and it clearly states that it does not discriminate in acceptance or access to any program due to pregnancy! So that's encouraging. Thank you so much for responding :)

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That is a very good point. I already do have pretty bad nausea so I do have to think about that as well. I do have the option of postponing my final semester until next year. I really want to graduate on time but I would definitely rather postpone than be dismissed. What do you think you would do? Thanks so much.

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I was thinking that discriminating based on pregnancy would be illegal, and I also checked the college's equal opportunity policy and it included pregnancy in the protected groups. Thanks for the response, it's encouraging!! :)

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