Being a mommy and a med student/ doctor are probably the hardest jobs in the world one could possibly choose to do. . . especially together. But because so many of us belong to this website have done it we are either crazy (a little) or very motivated and fulfilled women. I will tell my story and maybe you will be motivated too. I became pregnant at the end of my second year of med school completely unplanned and completely unexpected, but 100% dedicated to making mommyhood and medical school work. At the time I was also taking care of my sick father. And my boyfriend was in another state, soon to be starting a surgical residency in the same state as me. (Not the best way to start your clinical years). In my sixth month of pregnancy during my Internal medicine rotation I went to the hospital for a repeat ultrasound and I ended up not leaving the hospital for two weeks only to be transferred to another hospital for another two months. So I was on hospital bed rest for a total of two and a half months.
Prior to my bedrest, I was planning to take few weeks off after delivery and start back up, so I could finish on time. After bedrest, I decided to take three months off with my newborn (which every mother needs, especially if nursing) and adapt to my new role as a mommy. Although, I did not enjoy being a housewife, I have never regretted taking the time to just enjoy being a mommy. And it made nursing easier and more enjoyable. I continued to nurse when I started back to my rotations, I have pumped breast milk in bathrooms, pumping rooms,hospital rooms, examining rooms, classrooms, closets, my car, etc all across the Philadelphia area. So I nursed for a total of eight months, the pumping just wore me out after a while and six months was always my goal, so I was very proud of myself.
I eventually decided to extend my medical school career to five years allowing me the opportunity to take time off several times and stay home with my son. This is an opportunity and level of flexibility that few women ever enjoy. The five year plan is a viable option at most medical schools. Some students extend their first year over two years or like I did extend the third and fourth years over three years. I am currently finishing up fourth year, I will be done Dec. 2002 with six months off until I start residency. Although it has been the most challenging thing I have ever endured, it is also gratfying in many ways and my boyfriend and family have been supportive than I ever imagined. I won't bore you with the rest of my autobiography, but I will end with some suggestions.
1-Sometimes you have to just dive in and think later
2-Planning is everything when you have a child
a-You need a flexible daycare or babysitter (med school loanbudgets can be increased for students who have day care costs (dollar for dollar)
b-Support system- family is the best but other students and friends can be great too!!
c-Always have a Backup ie, someone else who can pick your child up if your running late or watch
him if he's sick
3-Never let your child be a secret. Make sure that admin., prof., and particularly your residents and attendings during your 3rd and 4th year know. Just in case an emergency arises.
4-Don't underestimate the support of your school. Most schools want every student to graduate and will do a lot to help a student ie, give time off, etc.
5-Time management!! Time management!! and Time creativity. Sometimes waking up at 5am to study before everybody else wakes up is helpful or studying instead of doing laundry, etc. Procrastination will still occur, but its much more painful in med school with a child.
6-Take time out for just you!!! Mommy's personal needs are very important to her happiness and success in school and her relationship with her child.
7-Let your child motivate and focus you. Instead of stressing out about how your ever going to do medical school and baby, think about the wonderful things your teaching him/ her, your ability to provide for them, striving and achieving a goal what better lesson is that for your child
8-Accept the fact that you will feel guilty at times, you will feel isolated from your classmates, you will feel like the daycare knows your child better than you and then refer to number 7.
9-Choose a specialty that is for you!! Not what you think your family wants you to do, or what you think your community wants you to do or women or men, etc. If your at any level below third year of medical school, keep in mind that what you think you want to go into will Probably, Most likely change.
10-ENJOY BEING A MOMMY
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