I am a 2nd year student with a 2 year old child. I would really like to get pregnant following boards. I would greatly appreciate any input/suggestions about doing this -- i.e. problems with being pregnant during 3rd year, easiest rotations (to schedule last), time requirements for 3rd year rotations, most difficult aspect of 3rd year (time and exhaustion vs.intellectual challenge).

Thank you so much. I would REALLY appreciate if any of you were pregnant in your 3rd year a description of your experience, including the bonuses and pitfalls of pregnancy in the 3rd year of medical school.

So you want to have the baby while IN third year? when are you taking the board? if it is june or july then you would be due in march or april. from what i have read on the board and in talking to people, it is easier to get pregnant third year and have the baby in 4th year. and people have metionend trying to arrange their shceudle to have the hardest rotations 1st and the easiest last but depending you your school's system, this may be easier said than done. since you are so close to 4th yar anyway, you might wnat to consider getting pregnant late 3rd year and having the baby in 4th year.

Another thing to consider is what you may ultimately want to do. You can't really bust your butt on rotations if you are pregnant and exhausted (1st trimester, 3rd trimester). Especially if what you think you'd like to do is an intense specialty like surgery or something.

What if there are complications and you are placed on bedrest?...you're rotations - and, thus, graduation will be postponed. Also, you have to consider traveling for residency interviews, interviewing while visibly pregnate...which *shouldn't* be an issue - but it may.

I had my daughter in Nov of my second year. Bottom line - I didn't have to go to class. I knew I didn't have that freedom during 3/4th years. A woman was pregnant during her third year at our hospital and everything went really well - if you have a good DME and good medical school who will work with you...then it should be fine. She ended up taking 6 months off - but that was decided after the bundle of joy arrived and she didn't want to leave him so soon. She also has a daughter who is now in kindergarten. So, she will graduate after the rest of us - but she's okay with that.

There are a lot of things to consider during those last two years. You may be thinking primary care now...but fall in love with surgery (like I did). If it were me trying to make this decision....I would wait until well into my 3rd year before trying. That way, I can at least have that part of 3rd year to focus on nothing except what I want to do with the rest of my life...which, for me, was a tougher decision than getting married or deciding to have a child. Not to mention that you already have another child that will be demanding things from you....sick days, school closing, all the other mommy stuff to deal with. Personally, I can't imagine adding another child into my life right now because things are unexpectedly so hectic at times...without warning!

I guess my point is to give yourself those first several months of 3rd year to decide what you want to do. It's amazing how a family/child will mess with your thinking when trying to decide this. In my opinion, that is the fairest thing for YOU - and you've worked too hard to not be able to make a good decision about your future. Once you've decided on a specialty - then factor in having that second baby. Schedule conception and getting big around interviews and rotations you will need to kick butt on to try to earn a spot somewhere. At least, then, you have some control over the situation...whereas, if you had that second baby....some possibilities may seem out of reach because you are overwhelmed.

I am just going on what I've felt this past couple of years...and on imagining what my life would be like if I had a second child right now...I couldn't do it. I fell in love with surgery and I know I would settle for something less demanding if I had a second child. Whether that's right or not...who is to say.

The OTHER thing to consider is....when you want a baby...and it's all you can think about...then that's your decision. However, 3rd year is only a few months away...you can always wait and see if, after a month or two, the baby thing is still present - then go for it.

Best of luck...this whole parent thing mixed in with the doctor thing is quite an ordeal...well, at least it is for those of us who have to study, clean, be mommy and wife, try to stay in shape, and attempt to stay sane. Some people just seem to handle things better than others - medical information seems to float inside their heads and they have it all...haha.....I wish I was one of those gals...and I hope you are so your decision is a little less taxing.

HAM, I am also contemplating being pregnant during my third year (second year now - no other children) and it really worries me. I thought it would be a good time because I wanted to have the baby before interviews so that I didn't look pregnant. I also wanted to try to be done with breast-feeding before starting internship (in a surgical subspecialty) because I've heard that breastfeeding during that time is a nightmare! But I definitely do worry that I won't perform up to par because of exhaustion and being sick, etc. Plus, ideally, I should do at least one away rotation before the match (it's the early SF Match, too, so not much time) because of the competitiveness of the specialty in which I am interested. And that would mean leaving a newborn for a month! So in the end, there simply doesn't seem to be a great time. I think all you can do is do your best to arrange rotations in a way that will work with your pregnancy (especially doing the rotation in your area(s) of interest during your second trimester), and hope for the best! Any other thoughts out there? I would love to hear them as well!!

Oh, and as far as easier rotations, I've heard that family medicine, radiology and perhaps anesthesiology are a bit easier and might be better to schedule during third trimester.

Hey, I had baby # 1 during second year, and now expecting baby #2. I'm a third year, and will be halfway through 4th year when this one is born. As far as rotations go, my easiest have been neurology and the surgical subspecialties (ie anesthesia, ENT, Optho). Medicine was actually ok, because we go home at midnight here. Family was good because we didn't take call, but clinic was completely exhausting. Psych is supposed to be a breeze as far as hours go. OB/GYN here is terrible. Peds will be the first rotation I'm actually going to be doing pregnant. Obviously it varies from school to school though, and how they arrange call.
HTH. Kristie

I had babies in both third and fourth years. (Yes, I took off my straight-jacket to type this. ) Both times I delivered at the end of psych, which was a great way to end up...lots of sitting down. I am sure the psych dept. is analyzing me right now, though. Definitely harder to do heavy call months when you are so tired anyway... I also found that the call room beds did me no favors- take your own pillow, it helps some. I interviewed visibly pregnant, and did not find it to be a problem, but I am an FP, and they are very family friendly. In surgery it probably would not have gone so well. Looking back, I feel like both times were pretty easy, and I wouldn't trade in my little monsters now for an easier time anyway!

I am a 1st year with no kids trying to decide when to start. My husband and I decided (last night actually!!) next march (just prior to boards) we are going for it. I thought about now but I want to kick a** on boards and not face having to extend this absolutely no fun school work time. I just have had so many friends that have tried to time having kids, and I just don't think it works like that very often. You may try after boards and not have a kid until 4th year anyways. You know what it is like to have a baby more than me, but women have had kids at all stages of med school and dealt with it and done fine. What I have heard a lot is, the kids make it worth it. I feel like if we (me and hub) start next march if I get pregnant right away I'l be through the 1st trimester by the time I start rotations. And anything could happen, a problem free pregnancy, bed rest, miscarriage, preemie, who knows? I think the type of people that get into med school plan things down to the second (me included) but I really don't think nature and babies work like that. If you start trying after boards you have plenty of time to not stress about getting pregnant and have a baby and maybe even be done breastfeeding before internship. If you think it is right for you go for it. I was a nurse before medschool, and most nurses I know work their 12 hour shifts up to and beyond their due date so they maximize their time off. I think if they can do that we can handle rotations (doctors sit more than nurses anyways!

I did not read everyone's advice so some of this may repeat but here goes. I was preggers in my third year and it worked out really well. I did all of the core 3rd year rotations--including medicine which I did at 8 months--and also some required subspecialty rotations. I did not think it was bad. In fact, it was nice for some rotations like surgery and urology. I took full advantage of my state--if I was tired of standing in a surgery (usually after 30 min) I would ask for a tall stool. One surgeon even said to me that he'd never seen a student sit in surgery. I said, well I'm six months pregnant and I need to sit (not rudely, of course). Most attendings and residents were pretty nice. My trauma team even would take the elevator just for me instead of making me run up and down all 8 floors of the hospital. All this to say that, for me, being pregnant during third year worked out really well. I would do all of the tougher rotations now and save the nice stuff for when baby is here. Also, check to see if your school has mom friendly 4th year electives. E.g., I'm taking an elective now that is 3 hours/mo (for 9 months)--that gave me 4 extra weeks of vacation (b/c electives are considered 4 weekers). Or consider doing research. I did one month of research (as an elective) and my preceptor was great and let me do most of my work from home. Hope this is helpful! Kesha

Hi, Plum!

I just wanted to say that I'm also a first year and am also planning to toss the BCP sometime around boards next year. I think I'll wait until just after boards, tho, so you'll have a couple month's head start on me. Anyway, who knows? Maybe we'll be pregnant together and can swap tips and battle stories.

Can I join the club? I'm a first year and thinking maybe 3rd/4th year.

Drey-
I agree with you, I initially thought about trying now (I am in my first year too and counting down the days of neuroscience left!!), because I have recently discovered not going to class and am home all the time, but I decided against. As I said in my previous post and was advised by someone else, you have to do well on boards. I feel such a weight off my shoulders since making that decision. We are going to start trying next March, and whatever happens, happens. I just want to be able to relax and let nature take it's course rather than trying to get pregnant during this teeny little window.

Emily-Sorry I missed your reply, but that sounds great! I am really looking forward to it. I am so looking forward to being done with this schoolwork garbage. I was ( and am) and RN in my former pre-medstudent life. I love the hospital and clinic and can't wait to get there!

Plum and Drey - I like the idea of a "club"! I will be so grateful to have a couple fellow med students to share this process with. No one else quite understands, I think.

Emily-
I know what you mean. I don't know how old you are (I am 27-28 in May) and many in my class are younger or not even married. That was my biggest hangup about coming to medical school, having a family. I am so lucky because I have an awesome husband who is an engineer and willing work part-time or stay at home for awhile, but I don't want to miss out on everything either. I am doing my clerkships in a community hospital where I think they would be very amenable to him bringing the babe in for short visits. I didn't ever want to go to a high stress cutthroat medschool, I just don't work like that. I have a few qualms about living on only love and loans, but hell there are out-of-state students (much more pricey) here who have wives who stay at home now with kids, so I think we are doing pretty good.
We are pitching the BC next March so nature can take it's course. I am really excited. What are your situations Emily and Drey? What types of medicine are you thinking? That is another thing, sometimes the culture in medicine is so workaholic. Like I'm bad for having a long term goal of working 3-4 days/week so I can be with my family. Grrrr!

I'm 23, and my husband is also an engineer (that seems to be a common theme on these boards, lots of medical ladies married to engineers) and he would also be willing to be a stay-at-home dad, although his doing that during fourth year amounts to financial suicide. (Although, as you mention, there are some guys in our class with stay at home wives)

There is one woman in the second year class that just had a baby, so she will have a newborn going into third year, but she seems to be reasonably sane, so she gives me hope.

I'd really like to do Emergency Medicine right now. I love the chaos and the variety. I also like the idea of no call....

We haven't made and absolute decision yet on when to start ttc. I"ll keep you guys updated.

Hi again!

Sorry it took me a few days to get back to you ... I had an exam this morning that consumed much of the last week. To help me out, my husband blocked several of my favorite time-wasting websites while I was studying.

Anyway, I am 25 almost 26 and have been married for the past 3 years to a PhD student. He should be finishing up in the next couple years. I am financially conservative (OK, cheap), so I know I won't be comfortable having a baby until he is graduated and has a grown-up job - I refuse to borrow more $$$ to pay for daycare/nanny. So we have some time yet ... in my dream world, I'd get pregnant sometime around September after boards, finish 3rd year and then take a research year b/t 3rd and 4th to ease into parenthood.

Right now, I am thinking oncology/cardiology. But honestly, I have no idea ... we'll see.

A.

Just thought I'd add my 2 cents... I'm 32, just finished 1st yr, have a 2yo daughter & a husband who travels for work...and for better or worse, we're thinking of having a second child, but if so, I'd probably shoot for being in the second trimester going into step 1.

First trimester is probably the worst for many women, as you may have morning sickness (I was lucky not to have it), or you may be overcome with exhaustion (that's what happened for me), etc. because your body is just getting used to the idea of being pregnant. Second trimester is the "honeymoon" trimester, and then third it gets harder to move around, get sleep, etc.

Hi HAM,

i'm a "rising" third year and expecting my first child in december. my husband and i were planning on trying to conceive in late spring/early summer, not knowing how long it would take to get pregnant (and we both want to have children sooner, rather than later for health reasons). well, we certainly got pregnant sooner (first month off BCP!) and while it was earlier than expected, it actually worked out great. i was in the morning sickness phase for the last month of school, but thankfully they were courses i was comfortable with. i ended my first trimester (and said goodbye to morning sickness!!!) by the end of courses and had time to study for my Step 1 (which i took on tuesday!!)

as far as rotations - i am choosing to do my medicine rotation first. i will be in my second trimester for the two inpatient months, then starting my third during my outpatient month. then i have "flex" time scheduled and will do my one-month core rotations until i deliver. the schedules for those (rad, neuro, psych) are pretty much 9-5, M-F. i'm then going to take a year off to do research - i could have planned to go right back after delivery, and squeezed everything in, but want the experience of staying at home and being with my child.

it is definitely do-able, and if you have any other questions, feel free to PM me!

best of luck!!!