Would it be the right time thinking of baby?

aleighc1 · Nov 30, 2008

I'm not a nursing student yet, but I am a mother of 5 and I strongly suggest that you wait until you have passed your NCLEX before getting pregnant. You just never know if you will have an easy pregnancy or hard pregnancy, and if you end up being the type that vomits morning, noon, and night, you won't want to be doing that during your last bit of school or while trying to pass the NCLEX. There is no way to predict how your body will react to pregnancy (I've had a pregnancy that knocked me on my butt for nearly the entire 40 weeks, and I've had a pregnancy that had no symptoms at all other than a swelling belly from a growing baby:wink2:), so it's just better to wait until you are completely finished.

jpeters84 · Nov 30, 2008

I think only you can answer that question. If you and your fiance really really want to have a baby sooner rather than later than go for it. I don't want to make your decision more difficult but at the same time I have been told by my clinical professors that your first year working as a nurse is harder than any year of nursing school, and will be the hardest and most crucial of your nursing career because you have so much responsibility, no one is looking over your shoulder, and the learning curve is so high. So it might not be the ideal time to have the baby. I say if you can picture yourself waiting two years and you're ok with that then wait until you have some experience under your belt as a licensed nurse and then go for it. That seems to be ideal. Otherwise if you're really really wanting a baby and the timing around graduation just seems to be right for you and your husband then you'll make it work and I'm sure it will be just right. These questions are so tough so I say just trust your gut instinct and whatever the timing is I'm sure it will work out for you guys.

pharmgirl · Nov 30, 2008

In August, we started with 3 pregnant women in our nursing class. We are down to one, 2 have dropped. The third gave birth during a week our clinicals and classes just happened to have been cancelled for other reasons, so she got real lucky. She is really struggling to keep up with things and is basically relying on a few friends to "carry" her through her assignments. I've also seen her falling asleep in class at least 2x. Its very difficult and I give her a lot of credit for trying but I honestly can't imagine what she is learning.

Only you can decide what is right for you, but if you were one of my grown children I would advise you to wait until you are done with school. Get your education first, that is something you will always have under your belt. Most times (take it from someone who's been there), once you have children your life centers around them (as it should be) and yours gets put on hold. Next thing you know its 20 yrs later and you're going back to get your RN.

Good Luck!

RNMom2010 · Nov 30, 2008

My husband and I were planning on starting to try and get pregnant in April. My grad date is Dec 09. I figured being pregnant through school would be easier than being pregnant during a full time work week. However, we have really sat back and thought things through a lot, and have decided that another year or 2 to wait to get pregnant is really nothing in the scheme of things. First off, if I wait, we can get our debt paid off and buy a home and get established before starting a family. Also, we will have paid time off, or at least have been able to save the money to afford to take the time off after the baby is born. It's hard for me to want to wait sometimes, I have 3 friends pregnant right now and motherhood is knocking at my door loudly, however waiting will ensure me a much smoother, less stressful pregnancy (financially especially!).

As for the marriage, I did get married smack in the middle of my 1st semester and that worked out fine for me. Just try and plan and get your things in order on breaks and weekends and its not too bad at all.

In the end, it is only you and your fiance's decision on what will work for you and your lives, just wanted to give you my little story!

Eirene, ASN, RN · Nov 30, 2008

I have been told by my clinical professors that your first year working as a nurse is harder than any year of nursing school, and will be the hardest and most crucial of your nursing career

This statement is so true. And my nursing program was tough!

ColtsMom · Nov 30, 2008

I can't tell you from a nursing school standpoint, but I can tell you from a general school standpoint. I will graduate in May with a BS in Computer Information Systems. I have given birth to both my children while getting this degree. (one is 2 the other is 4 months) Both pregnancies were tough for varying reasons, and my GPA suffered. I will graduate with probably barely a 3.0 because during the semesters I was pregnant it was rought. WIth my son I was sick every single day til the day I delivered. Plus I ended up having mild pre-eclamspia. It made attending class and getting homework done really tough. I would suggest waiting just becaus eyou don't know if you'll have a really easy or a really tough pregnancy. I would at least wait until closer til graduation to start trying. Just my two cents.

AmericanRN · Nov 30, 2008

I'm in a second term of nursing and expected to graduate sometimes in next year summer. My fiance and I had talked about having a baby sooner, well, right around my graduation if not sooner. My question is, would that is the right time to get pregnant? Having anyone ever been in this situation before? We planned to get married next year also

It's up to you. I don't know your medical or personal situation. However, many people do sucessfully graduate, take the NCLEX and get settled into their nursing careers w/new babies. On the other hand, some places may not feel comfortable w/hiring a new grad who is also pregnant (although they won't tell you that) A lot of hospitals are in budget cuts & hiring freezes and someone they think might be calling in a lot probably won't get hired. The pregnancy could be high risk, etc and other things that might cause you to have to take time off of work. I'm not trying to steer you either way. Look at the whole picture though and weigh your wants against your needs. Some people need to have a baby within a time frame or it's never going to happen and others simply want one because of other desires.

LaceyRN · Nov 30, 2008

I would suggest getting through school first, then get married maybe that summer and start trying to have that baby you desire. What's another year in the whole scheme of life? If you decide to wait then you can give NS your all, and then you can give your pregancy and baby your all without being split between the two.

Just my two cents but best wishes on whatever you decide. :)

2jen · Nov 30, 2008

I am pregnant and just finishing my second semester out of 4. My husband and I didn't plan this but are very excited for our little girl's arrival. I have been very lucky with few pregnancy symptoms but it hasn't been easy either. I am so exhausted, especially after clinicals that I come home and crash. It can be done but I would wait.

Aneroo, LPN · Nov 30, 2008

I'm going to go out on a limb and say go for it!

Our first daughter was a surpise- she was conceived around the time of my last final. LOL All that stress was gone, so I guess I was more relaxed!

We thought we'd time the second child well- secondary infertility struck. We've been trying to have our second child since Feb 14, 2007, gone through fertility treatments, and if I had a nickel for everytime someone suggested "go on a trip and relax and then it'll happen" or to "just have sex all the time", I could afford advanced IF treatments. LOL

My point- it might go the way you plan, but it might not.

crok9014 · Dec 1, 2008

I have a 19 month-old and a 3 week-old and am in a Fast Track program. My girls are my world and I am doing this for them. My husband woks very long hours and has an hour and half commute each way. We do what we have to, make adjustments when we need to, and I can't imagine my life any other way! Kids are AMAZING and you never know how long it might take to get pregnent (2 years for our first and 2 weeks for our second!) so go for it and things will all work out as long as you remember why you were going to school in the first place. GOOD LUCK!!!