When to get pregnant?

[WorkofHeart8]

I searched the forum already (didn't come up with much) and thought I would ask this to the new crowd here on AllNurses.

I have a 5 yr old daughter from a previous relationship and my husband is anxious to have one of his own. We are both Certified Medication Aides and he should be done with LPN school early next year. I plan on entering RN school in Fall 2010. He wants to have a baby when he becomes a LPN but I'm wondering when it would be best. After the first year of school when I could take the NCLEX-PN? After I graduate? However, I am worried about having a baby in my first year as a RN but I guess that would make the most sense.

I know there is no "best" time, but please provide your experiences on when YOU felt it was better for your family.

[Sarah Hay]

Well, during clinicals there may be some things you cannot do while being pregnant. Our professors stress please do not get pregnant! while in the program and to wait until we are finished or almost near the end.

[BmichelleRN]

I think that is truly a personal choice...Obviously, it seems smarter to wait until you both have good paychecks coming in. I know several nurses who have had children in school (one girl had her 6th and came back one week later to finish clinicals and nurses in their first year as a nurse and all are fine. Maybe make a pro/con list, consider the above, your age, etc. A baby is truly a blessing... GOOD LUCK.

[BmichelleRN]

PS definitely follow the advice of instructors like the above poster mentioned.

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

IDK ! I'm getting married in August and I'll be done with LPN school in July and my future hubby and I plan on having a baby after I'm done getting my BSN ( which we be 3-5years). I just want to be totally done with school before I have kids. Its your decision and you guys need to discuss this very thoroughly.

[CRBRNCPHT]

I wouldnt get pregnant in nursing school...it was stressful enough without worrying about finding time to schedule doctor's appointments and worrying about morning sickness at clinicals! Plus I cant imagine the stress would be good for the baby.

[GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

Nausea and vomiting or pre-term labor can mess up school for you... My advice would be to graduate, then work 6 months and start trying to get pregnant then. That way, if you have pregnancy complications, you have at least 6 months of experience when you take leave. You probably won't get your same job back, but I think it is better than messing up school. Also... If your baby has medical issues you wouldn't want to have to deal with school and ped visits and everything... I really think it would be easiest on you to finish school first. Or, have the baby and then wait a year after delivery to go to school so that you are settled in to having another child.

[notanumber]

Interesting topic...my hubby and I are both LPNs looking to finish our BSN. I'm going first so he can work full time while I do school and work part time. We are figuring on both of us getting degrees before we start having kids (but I'm only 21, so we have plenty of time). Totally depends on your situation, IMO. It undoubtedly will be more difficult to do both at once. I'd advise taking a long hard look at your financial situation in case you have to delay your schooling due to complications.

[snowyRN]

I think this is a decision that only you and you're husband can make. I on the other hand was pregnant the last semester of RN school and I can tell you i went thru a rough time........wouldnt do that again!

[changeofpaceRN]

I had my son (didn't plan it this way haha) right at the end of school. School ended then 2 months later, I had my son. This gave me time to apply to the BON and study for the NCLEX. Since you have to "recover" after having a baby, I used that time to go on MANY interviews and choose the right position while I was out of work. As soon as I got the okay from my doc, I started. that worked out nicely. Now, I just started a new job and I plan on having my next sometime in 2010's summer- that gives me time to get established there and possibly get on short term disability if the timing works out.

[Aneroo, LPN]

Just go for it. You can plan all you want, but it'll happen whenever it happens!

[KY RN]

I had three children and was pregnant in LPN school. I wanted another child and due to my age, I had another child. I wanted the timing between my children to be very specific. It was very rough. However, I attended all clinicals and had no problems. N/V were a little hard to deal with. I finished my practicum and had my baby three weeks later. Unfortunately, the day my baby and I were discharged from the hospital, I had scheduled my NCLEX. It was too late to reschedule, so my Mom picked me up from the hospital and took me straight to the testing site for the NCLEX. I kept telling the nurses to hurry up and get my discharge signed from the Dr. because I had to take my test. They totally understood and worked like crazy to get me and the baby out fast. They were great and got the D/C papers from the Dr. super fast. This Dr. was usually slow with the paperwork and the nurses were on his butt like a tick on a dog.

I went back into an LPN to RN Bridge program when my child was 1 week old. It was a lot of stress but I am graduating in June. WOO HOO!!!!

It's harder to have a newborn while in school, than to be pregnant while in school. Sometimes my clinicals start before the daycare is open, and it is very difficult to arrange childcare for my children. However, it is all worth it.

Basically, it's a matter of what you want, what is best for your family, how it affects your daughter, and your age. You will not regret having children and you can always go to school whenever.