Any FTM students out there?

shellyamf

I work full time and take full time classes in the evenings.  After my current semester I only have 4 classes left to graduate.  Which is one last semester.  My plan was to take them in the spring and graduate in May. DH and I did consider what would happen if we got pregnant before I graduated and both agreed that I could take a few weeks off and then finish out my semester.  While this might sound crazy, yes we were actually thinking it would work.

I still think it might work but wanted some opinions.  I would be on maternity leave at least until I graduated in May.  Including spring break which is in March, I'd probably only miss 2-3 weeks of actual classes.  Hopefully only two weeks.  What I'm worried about is being away from LO for so long in the evenings while breastfeeding. 

I'm debating my spring schedule right now.  I'll have one class on Mon and Wed from 5:45-7:00pm.  It's a 40 minute drive from my house so I'd need to leave by 5:00.  Probably wouldn't get home until almost 8:00.  But I need another evening class.  My choices are a class on Mon from 7:30-10:15pm or a class Tues and Thurs from 5:45-7:00.  I'm leaning towards the Tues/Thurs class because I'd only be gone for 3 hours at a time 4 nights a week.  If I do the other class, on Monday's I'd be gone for 6 hours, but then I'd also only be gone 2 nights a week.

So my questions might be dumb but here goes: Would being gone for 6 hours be hard while trying to breastfeed?  As it's shortly after LO is born would it be hard to get LO to take a bottle while I'm gone and switch back to boob when I'm home?  

DH wants me to go part time (2 of the 4 classes I need are online).  I could do just the online classes and take the other 2 night classes next fall.  I'm meeting with my adviser tomorrow to see if this is possible. Ultimately I'd love to still graduate in May but I realize that I might not be in the best position to do that.  If you think I'm crazy, I won't be offended to hear it. 

ninambutler

I am in a similar situation and personally I would just take the online classes and finish in the fall or summer if you have the option. I'm a first time mom but have nannied for newborns and have an idea of what a struggle it is for mom those first few months. Your energy and brain will be melted and its hard to give the attention and time to school when all you want is to be with your baby and sleep when you can. If this option doesn't work for you I'd personally suggest the long day on Monday. A breastfed baby will probably still need a bottle during 3 hours away. They eat a lot because breastmilk is digested much more quickly than formula, so being away 2 days a week would be better than 4.

shellyamf

Thanks for the input!  I was thinking along the same lines of my brain being melted and not wanting to be away from baby.  My brain just keeps saying BUT...

I'm okay with going part time and finishing in the fall.  I just need to okay it with my adviser. 

 

Bee112309

I'm a STM, but still a student, so I hope you don't mind if I chip in. I took online classes the semester that I was on maternity leave the first time, and am really glad I did. DD nursed every 2 hours or less, and during growth spurts, it seemed like she was constantly at the breast. It would have been really hard, both physically and emotionally, to be away from her at that age.

I will be taking online classes during the spring semester this time as well. It's frustrating, because I only need one more prerequisite to get into nursing clinicals, and it's not offered online, since this will put me behind a semester, but it is what it is.

sucrets4

As a STM and a college professor, I would suggest taking the online classes next semester and then the other 2 in the fall.  

I would be hesitant to be away from LO for so long since you never know if he/she will take a bottle well plus you'll need to pump to keep your supply up.  After a few months, it's not that big of a deal to be away from LO.  Plus, to be away from LO means that you'll have to pump a lot and build up a stash beforehand, which can be stressful if you're trying to figure everything out.

Does your school offer summer classes at all? 

Abeja1226

I'm a STM but am in school full time for nursing, have clinicals, and work part time. I took one class when DD was a month old and that was perfect. I was gone for about 5 hours twice a week. I pumped right before I left and fed or pumped the second I got home and It was fine. In your situation I would take the two online classes and then finish in the fall, but if you are dead set on finishing school in May I would definitely do the long Monday. Your teachers should let you take breaks to pump if need be. Also, you won't have work, just school at night which I don't think will be that hard.

I will finish nursing school in May and I'm only taking a week off if that. If I didn't finish I would have to wait a whole year and that is not happening. I'll be 26 soon and this is my second degree so I am anxious to get my career started. Its going to be hard but doable and SO worth it in the end. Go with your gut. If your classes are too much you can always drop them and finish in the fall.

7apodacn

I work FT as a RN and also attend grad school PT. I'm taking 2 classes this semester, offered 1 day a week. Next semester I planned on taking 1 online class and 1 I have to attend on campus before I became pregnant. I still plan on taking both classes since the class is only 3 hours 1 day a week. Based on my due date, I'm due during my spring break so I plan on taking a few weeks off and then going to class. I'll be on maternity leave for a little bit so that will hopefully help me finish the semester out.

luvsdogs2

I'm a little late to the thread, I worked last night.  

I'm a full time student, part time bridal consultant.  I will be ditching the part time gig after the holidays are over.  As far as school goes, I am already an online student.  I'm going for court reporting at a local community college, but the program is so practice-intense after the first two classes it's strictly online.  It takes a strict work ethic and excellent time management to stay on top of online classes since it's so easy to blow them off.  Every semester, I see people dropping out because they didn't stay on top of the work.  And if there are things that you don't understand, it's not like you can raise your hand and ask a question, KWIM.  But I love online classes, they allow for so much flexibility.

LO will be arriving right before spring break.  My mom, who will be a first-time grandma, is so flipping excited she's going to drive 2 hours round trip one day a week so I can get school work done.   I have a feeling my classes and getting in my 2-3 hours a day of practicing my steno machine will be trying at times, but if I take a semester off I will lose the muscle memory and any speed I've built.  And I just have to walk downstairs to the basement to take my classes.  I can't imagine having the drive, sitting through a boring class, and thinking about homework for 4 classes.  Go for the online classes and finish in the fall.  The big picture here is finishing, not finishing in a certain time, right?

Sorry that was so long, dang! lol 

shellyamf

sucrets4:

As a STM and a college professor, I would suggest taking the online classes next semester and then the other 2 in the fall.  

I would be hesitant to be away from LO for so long since you never know if he/she will take a bottle well plus you'll need to pump to keep your supply up.  After a few months, it's not that big of a deal to be away from LO.  Plus, to be away from LO means that you'll have to pump a lot and build up a stash beforehand, which can be stressful if you're trying to figure everything out.

Does your school offer summer classes at all? 

 

Yes they do offer summer classes and it's something I'm considering.  As the two night classes I have left are both upper level accounting courses, I'll probably hold off until the fall to take them.  I took two this past summer and it was all I could do to keep up with them.  

Thanks everyone for the input.  It's great to hear everyone's story on how they are dealing with school on top of everything.   And yes, the important part is to finish, it doesn't matter when!!