I actually found the BBT method very helpful. Of course, by the time your temp spikes you've already ovulated, so you really need to go by other indicators like cervical mucus, but it at least TELLS you when you've ovulated (actually, what we did were ovulation predictor kits that test for the LH surge, and then had sex daily between that positive and the BBT spike). Also, I knew I was pregnant before a test would have been positive because of tracking my BBT. Just my 2 cents...

On rereading the context though, measuring BBT is certainly NOT necessary so don't worry if it doesn't work with your schedule!

Sex every other day is not always a possibility, esp. for a med student on a stressful, demanding rotation

Thank you for all the input! I've heard an RE saying that BBT is the worst thing one can do because first thing in the morning a woman is reminded of her fertility issue. I'm sure that's true for some people, but charting somehow gives me a sense of control and keep me sane. I'm using OPK this cycle as well so I don't have to have sex every other day (tried this before, feel like it makes sex into a chore). The catch is my LH is kinda messed up to begin with, so it may not work. Before I got on clomid, my OB actually told me OPK is a waste of money in my case.

I'd say: if you think deep down you'd regret the potential setback to your career, then it might be worth stopping... but if (as seems more likely) you're just trying not to offend and make things difficult for others in terms of scheduling and looking like a slacker resident, I'd say there are a few things in life that trump that concern - like caring for a sick parent who needs you, or having a child while you're able to. I've spoken with residents who found out they were accidentally pregnant, due just before or after starting intern years at some of the most intense intern years in the country... and they survived with happy intact families and careers. I'd say: just do it.

This part (especially the bolded text) makes me feel better. I got a BFP two days after finishing my Pathology residency interviews, and will be due August 30th. We were not "trying" but not preventing, and I am really struggling with the idea of 1) having to call my new boss the Monday after the Match to explain that I will be 32 weeks pregnant on July 1, and 2) potentially losing the opportunity to bond with my fellow PGY-1s after mid-August (and thus being perceived as lazy or opportunistic). I guess the silver lining for me is that we don't do a traditional 'intern' year, and my top 5 programs are all large residencies with lots of ancillary staff support. Also: I will be available to cover for the women who get pregnant PGY-1 and have to have leave during PGY-2!

I wish I didn't have to wait until March to get the ball rolling on benefits (insurance, leave, etc.), choosing a new OB for delivery, working out a schedule for when I return, not to mention childcare and... where we are going to live. Thank goodness for supportive spouses and flexible family members!

I got on the waitlist for childcare at at least one place in my top pick cities when I interviewed places (I already had a child, so I was going to need care as of July 1). I'd say, as soon as you know, it's fair game to at least get on a couple of lists (yes, I paid some deposits - but childcare is SO critical I felt and still feel it was worth it). You won't be so far behind on all of this.

Hi Everyone,

My two cents. I had two children in medical school (one in the middle of second year and one in the middle of third year). I took a year mat leave for each. Now I'm pregnant with twins and due in March of my internship year. I planned all three pregnancies, and had no difficulties getting pregnant. I specifically requested (along with chocolates for the secretary), that my internship year be front loaded with my heavy call and that when I came back from another year of mat leave I have lighter rotations (e.g. electives, minimal in house call, or shift work), because call when pregnant is way easier than call when you're still breast feeding and trying to pump or coordinate a feeding visit. Having done this having a baby thing a few times here's what I have learned.

1) Yes it sucks to change "classes", you just make a few friends and start to have some supports and then you have to start over again. Grad was really hard and lonely, but I look at my kids and realize I wouldn't do it differently. I'll be changing residency groups and I'm actually really looking forward to joining my new group (since I helped recruit them), we have a small pathology program and it will be nice to have a couple other women in my year that I know and get along with. It also was good because I knew my seniors on rotations already because I had gone to med school with many of them, and I didn't have to "prove" myself. Knowing three years of fellow residents made things like consults a lot easier.

2) Interning and pregnant (especially with twins) was exhausting, you rapidly prioritize patient care and child care and everything else is dropped by the wayside - e.g. shopping, hair, housework, almost any non-family fun for that matter. Any staff that doesn't respect you for managing to do these two things well doesn't deserve your respect. They clearly haven't had a real life and don't have a clue about what is important. I found my greatest allies were the nursing staff who were far more familiar with the working mom situation than any of my colleagues, once they got to know a little about my personal life they cut me a lot of slack and the pages for tylenol at 2am weren't as frequent. You also get very good at prioritizing your reading around keeping patients alive or discharge planning.

3) Planning a pregnancy is some sort of oxymoron. I am really lucky, I get pregnant with a wink (or a blink in this case). Most of my friends who are residents or staff have had to "try", and stressing out about that on top of work can't help your fertility at all. Stop your birth control and drink a glass of wine, unwind and enjoy time with your partner (if you have one). Have sex when you want to (your body is trying to tell you that it is fertile) and enjoy it. After a year - get some medical advice (maybe you weren't having sex, as dumb as it sounds I know how little sex a medical couple can have, and it's a lot less once you have kids).

4) Mother hood and medicine are not easily compatible, something gives in both, but being a parent gives you an entire interpersonal skill set you didn't have before. You're going to have a lot of guilt about not doing either job perfect, learn to cope with it. Being a mom is hard enough without beating yourself up constantly, the same can be said about internship year (when you wake up at 2am and realize that you might have missed a PE).

I know I'm starting to ramble... gotta go write a SOP and yell at my kids and resist the urge to shovel snow because I'm trying to avoid bed rest...
Serenity Mommy