pregnant in grad school?

superbooty · November 2008

I'm just finishing up undergrad and am getting ready to start applying to graduate schools. (Getting my masters in marriage and family therapy) DH and I originally planned to wait until I got my masters before having kids but three years is starting to sound very far away.. Anyone out there working through grad school and juggling kids? Everyone tells me it's absolutely undoable haha! Opinions?

mrsjohn · November 2008

Anything is doable if you are willing to sacrifice a few things.

doyous&idos · November 2008

I am in grad school and got pg. It wasn't bad, I was just more tired and achey than usual. We mc'ed but we are going to TTC again next month. If you know what you are in for it won't be too bad.

Tim'sWifey · November 2008

My dh and I had the same conversation. ?We came to the realization that we couldn't give the baby the life we wanted with me working and in grad school at the same time. ?Grad school is a lot of work. ?I know it is possible, but we didn't want to add undo stress. ?GL.

doyous&idos · November 2008

kdodge423:
My opinion- it's a dumb idea and you should wait. Nothing like a screaming newborn when you are trying to study for a final.

Thanks Kdodge Stick out tongue

Krisito · November 2008

I'm working full time and getting my Prek-6 licensure and certification, which requires taking grad classes. It definately sucks some days but it's not unbearable. Then again, I'm only going to be taking 1 class at a time starting next semester when I have been taking 2 or 3, depending on what's available.

blueeyedgirl27 · November 2008

Hi, just popped in from 2nd tri and saw your question. I'm not in grad school, but I am taking online classes that are pre-requisites to Ultrasound Technology. I'll need to take next semester off since I'm due in March, but plan on starting back up next Fall. If you plan on working full-time, going to school AND being pregnant/raising kids I probably wouldn't recommend that. Too much stress AND too little time to do it all. I do work w/ a few people who work full-time & have kids BUT they take part-time classes. The choice is yours.

E&Jhssweethearts · November 2008

I was in a similar situation, I am a LVN, working on becoming a RN, our original plan was to wait until I was done with school but then we re-weighed our priorities, and realized that school was not worth putting our lives on hold for, so we stopped b/c and figured "what ever is meant to be will be" well, apparently it was meant to be. I know it won't be easy to go back to school, but i think it is do-able, you have been determined thus far, why would that change after having a child? In my mind, I think I would not be a good mother if I just gave up on my dreams, what kind of example would that set? Either way, you need to do what is right for you! Good luck!

pokeyswife · November 2008

If you have a supportive spouse it is possible. I have gone to grad school with a 2-3 year old and now I have one on the way.

iris427 · November 2008

I was pregnant all spring semester, took the fall semester off to have the baby and will hopefully return PT next semester. I think it's doable, but tough. And I would take off the semester that you have the baby.

doyous&idos · November 2008

I should also add that I only work 10 hours a week. If that, so it's no different than working full time and being pg to me.

izzybella · November 2008

I started grad school with a 7 month old. I was going FT but not working, I was home with DD all day and in class at night. It was definitely doable, but I'm not sure I could do it with a newborn. That said, I'm working FT now in an internship (which also has a seminar attached) and it's a lot of work, and I'm tired all the time, but finishing will allow me to be home with DD and #2 for awhile.

emilie1116 · November 2008

My sister just started PT grad school, has two kids, a full time job and just found out she's pregnant. It's doable... it just might be crazy.

ericalynn · November 2008

It also depends on the type of program. I could not have done lawschool with a baby or pregnant, especially not the first year, maybe the second or third, but I would have needed help. I also worked to get experience to get a job. I was barely sleeping 5-6 hours a night the first year or two, and was stressed over exams, and then the bar. I work hard now but am not under that type of pressure. That being said, if it's something that is not a priority but your family is, then go for the family, maybe you can do part time, it just depends on your priorites. I wanted my career set first, but that's not the same for everyone. GL Whatever you decide though.

Mrs. TLC · November 2008

i have a friend who got pg in grad school (fo MSW) and she continued to go full-time. she finished school, but she now regrets that she didnt have the time to spend with her baby.

Mr&MrsCL · November 2008

I am an MFT! It is a very rewarding profession and I do think it is doable! I had a classmate who had her baby early in the spring semester, took 2/3 weeks off, and returned to class. Needless to say, she was very motivated and is now continuing on to her Psy.D.

GL with whatever you decide!!!

Smile

martymcfly · November 2008

I say why not. I have an MA and plenty of my classmates were pregnant while I got my Master's 3 years ago. They managed. We put it off at the time, but now I'm halfway through law school and done putting it off. We have been trying for a year now. There are plenty of support groups through the law school, and everywhere I look, my classmates are pregnant. It's completely doable, it just might mean taking classes PT to make things work.

Honestly, I think it would have been easier when I was getting my Master's and being a TA than now in Law School. But either way, it's very possible.

annibes · November 2008

We had to discuss this at length.. I'm graduating soon.. and then starting grad school for speech pathology. It's going to be intense, but it turns out we're having our first (long as it sticks) in July (1 month before I start grad school).?

Husband is 10 yrs older than me (I'm 25) and he doesn't want to be "too old" when the kids are born so we figured now is better. He teaches evenings so school and work shouldn't be too hard to juggle. I know it's always tougher when you have kids but I don't want to wait until I'm 30 and regret not having them sooner. I can always go to school later or wait to apply for jobs if I have to, but I can't turn back time to have a baby if I wait too long. I know there are fertility treatments available, but we're kind of in the "both of ours or adopted" mindset.

Sorry- that was mostly a ramble. I hope that helped a little..

mrsbhk22 · November 2008

I finished my MBA before we started TTC. I couldn't imagine the stress of a master's program with a newborn. If it happens, I am sure you could make it work, but I wouldn't plan on it. It's much more rewarding to enjoy your time with a newborn than be stressed. Just my two cents.

musicteacher225@yahoo.com · November 2008

Honest opinion.....it all depends on your personality. It is killing me right now. I am in grad school, and I work full-time. It's not because I want to--it's because I have to. I am a teacher, so I put in 9-12 hour days, and then I come home and do grad school. I hardly every see DS, and I HATE it. I so wish I had finished grad school first. The stress and the guilt is overwhelming. However, if your personality is such that you won't mind giving up time with your DC and your DH, then you will do fine. Some people don't mind that. I just am having a TON of trouble functioning. I've been sitting here for 2.5 hours working on stuff while listening to DS cry with DH. I am taking a break to veg for a few minutes on the bump.

charlie1995 · November 2008

I agree with it depends. Personality and program would be things that can really influence the decision to wait or not. I am finishing my dissertation and have a new job where I now feel comfortable having children. My PhD research involved using radioactivity, hazardous chemicals, and biohardous substances on a daily basis and I did not want to expose my unborn to that. I am a biochemist. Many of my friends did have families however, either they were not in my program or did not work with materials hazardous to pregnancy. I was full-time research.teaching so I did work 60 hours a week on top of classes when I had them.

Do what is best for you and you dh. If you can handle everything the degree requires and pregnancy/infant, then go for it. Otherwise, 3 years in school is not long at all. It flies by.

twogreenpeas · November 2008

I'm considering the same question myself...I have a Masters and want to apply to PhD programs next fall to start grad school fall 2010. My husband and I also want to start a family...we talked about waiting until this June to TTC, however I don't want to wait too long...although it could never be proven, I'm sure it would affect my chances of admission if I show up pregnant to interview for a PhD program. I also want the baby to be atleast 6 mos old when I start so I will feel more comfortable leaving them with family or a sitter while I'm in class. So that means starting to try really soon....like now! I wouldn't work while in grad school but all the programs I'm looking at are full time.

Are there other Moms out there who've balanced babies and grad school successfully?

ama1221 · November 2008

I'm actually in the exact same boat as you. I'm currently in a Masters in Marriage and Family therapy and considering having a baby soon.

In all honesty it depends a lot on you, your husband, and your program. Pleanty of people in my program have had children and have had no problems. In fact one girl had a baby boy about 6 days ago. I don't know anything about the program you're looking into, but the program I am in is great about working with students. I originally wanted to wait, but once I got into the program and realized that it was really going to be a breeze I didn't see any reason to wait. However, the program I'm in is mostly evening classes, and my husband is his own boss so we have a unique situation.

You definately can do it!

ailesavoler · November 2008

I'm glad to hear that I'm not alone. I finish my undergrad in just a few weeks and start my masters in mental health counseling in the spring.

Although I've heard pros and cons about starting a family while in grad school, it really depends on you and your husband and your program. Luckily my program is for working individuals with familes yet is structured in that your not working on a masters for five years. I would look into your program.

I'm in the same boat because my fiance (we're getting married in March of 09) is 8 years older than me and is ready to start a family, to be honest so am I but I think about the same thing, is it possible!? I'm with you on hearing from other's who are doing it! Just wanted to let you know your not alone!

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