So my husband and I really want to start TTC around Aug/Sep. of this year. However, I am terrified that pregnancy will be difficult and then I will have a hard time coping with teaching high school full time and going to online grad school as well (I will finish my Master's in May hopefully). I have extreme anxiety issues but for the past year or so I have improved a lot and have been able to cope really well. So in that sense, I feel like it may be okay. I have just heard so many horror stories like you won't be able to do anything while you're pregnant because you'll feel so bad.
I guess all I am asking is, is it feasible to be pregnant and still go on with lots of responsibilities? Because I HAVE to be in grad school and work at the same time, it is not an option otherwise.
I think it gives me even more anxiety to think about holding off and waiting to TTC until next year. I don't want to wait that long, and neither does hubby.
Re: How hard is it to be pregnant while being in grad school and working full time?
I think it would be pretty tough, because you'll be really tired (probably) even in early pregnancy. If you have minimal after school (work) obligations and can take 1 class at a time, you could probably swing it.
I was a single mom from the time my son was born until he was about 10. During that time I went to school FT and worked part time, just worked FT, worked FT and went to school (on campus) PT, and one semester I even worked FT and went to school FT. With the exception of working FT and going to school FT simultaneously, it was all tiring, but manageable. The semester I did that was completely awful though. (I'm a teacher too, btw.)
So, it's not ideal, but it's definitely possible if you don't want to put off TTC. There's no guarantee you'll get pregnant right away either, and going to school might be a good distraction in the meantime.
(I am also a high school teacher and now that that alone can be extremely tiring and stressful. School and kids just seems daunting!)
OP, you need to truly plan for the worst and think if you could still work and do school if you have severe morning sickness. What if you're on bed rest? These things may not happen but you just don't know.
Together: 09.27.2007 / Engaged: 05.05.2008 / Home: 11.27.2012 / Married: 09.27.2013
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...old - but I'm not that old; young - but I'm not that bold...
DH and I are planning to TTC in August and I will be beginning an NP program part-time in September. I also work 42hrs/week.
It's not ideal, but a bad back injury has me moving up my master's program because most traditional nursing jobs are too taxing on my body. School is 3-4 years part time so I don't want to wait until I'm 35 to TTC my first. That being said, my courses are 1 day/week, I'm planning to cut back to part time work, and once a kid is in the mix, I may just do 1 shift/week or two. Either way, I have some flexibility. If my pregnancy is awful, I'll remove myself from school and go from there.
Point is: I have flexibility, childcare (via my mom), and we are financially stable even if I'm not working. Plus, I have some flexibility with schooling. Not ideal, but I'm sure you can make it work if you want to. You wouldn't be the first or last. It just may be reallly painful.
However, if my program was only a year like yours, I would just wait.
Also, I did school online for my BSN. I took 21 credits/semester which was awful, but TOTALLY doable. If your program is online I don't think it will be too difficult - not having to show up and being able to have the flexibility an online environment creates will be very helpful. Again, you never know, if you are exhausted/so nauseous you can't even stay awake, school will be difficult. If you have a preemie, it will cut into your courses. You never know. Just have a Plan A AND B in place if you do decide to TTC now instead of wait.
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Me: 31 DH: 29
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7/3: Metabolic clinic gave the green light to TTC - holy crap!