So we are starting to plan for rotations (YEAH!!!!), and have a variety of locations where we do rotations. If you have a compelling reason to stay within an hour of the school (you know, like four kids), you can request an exemption and stay. About 25 or so do that each year for various reasons, and I plan on doing that as well.

I am starting to wonder though if I should request one away rotation right at the beginning of July for OB/GYN. One of the locations is about a half hour from my parents, and they would love to see the kids more. There is also the factor of having to rotate through the OB unit on which Peanut was born if I stay here- I think that has good and difficult attached to it simultaneously. There is the obvious difficult memories, but I know I will feel competent there as I know the basic floor plan layout, some of the nursing staff (worked on the unit as a secretary during undergrad), and know which docs are more approachable/really enjoy teaching.

So I'm looking for input as to whether to move the kids by mom and dad for six weeks, or stay at home for OB. (Assuming it works out with school's scheduling- it would give someone else the option of staying in town, which is a plus to school.) My dad is officially retiring next month, and they don't have any trips planned for that time frame. (And I still have friends in that area who could babysit if my parents need a break.) DH has a block of 3-4 days/wk he is off and could join us during those times.

Thoughts?

I think there are pluses and minuses to both sides, i.e. either one is a fine decision. I would make *sure sure sure* that your parents are 100% on board with watching all 4 of your kids 80h/week (plus a 30m commute x2) for 6(?) weeks. I find that a lot of nonmedical people have no idea what medical school is actually like, and I would make sure they realize that "full time" for you is the equivalent to TWO full time jobs for a normal person. Other option: have mom and dad come stay with *you* for an extended period. Could be fun!

Good luck! If M&D are on board, it could be a fun month and a half, especially if you are interested in the program you're going to.

You're right- I started that conversation with my parents today. The good thing is they are just retired, and my aunt also takes here grandkids for a few weeks around the same time each summer, so they would be able to get them together on the days DH is working.

With our 'state-wide' campus, the location is actually a smaller town, close to where I grew up. So I do worry about distractions in my 'downtime' (ha ha ha) from old friends/family/etc.

On the flip side, I also wonder if my having delivered at the hospital here at the main campus would hinder me in any way. Peanut was pretty unique, so I am sure someone will remember her/me. Is it crazy that I have no fear of returning to the NICU/PICU?

I'm going to be weighing this for at least a month, so if anyone else has input, it would be much appreciated!

I agree - if your parents can commit to the babysitting then go for it!

Why do you think being at the main campus would hinder you professionally? I'm assuming you weren't psycho mom - what are your concerns?

I am just not sure how I will feel walking back into the L&D where things went so crazy for my family.

Going in for a scheduled c/s with three perfectly healthy children, then having everything snowball like it did for our Peanut, and being there for the five days after delivery next to all of the moms with their babies that they could breastfeed on demand, hearing their babies cry next door, and seeing all of the very happy people while we were meeting with geneticists, surgeons, and seeing our baby girl unable to gain weight b/c she was working so hard to just breathe was really difficult. There are a lot of emotions that we've been through, and while I would like to think I will handle it with ease, you never know how you will feel until you are back in the middle of it. I've been in clinic with pregnant patients at all stages, newborns, etc and not thought about my family's situation- but I think it may be different walking back in there.

I do have to admit to getting pretty upset with one resident- but it was very well deserved (please don't ever imply that a woman who has delivered four 10# babies and is up walking less than 4 hours after a c/s is weak and not able to handle pain). But that I own, and I think they may actually be completing the program this year anyway. Other than that, I think we handled things well while we were there- no one even knew I was a med student until POD #2 when the med student rounding found me studying.

On the flip side, there are some phenomenal faculty, especially MFMs here. So I would def. be missing out on that.

Anyone else want to weigh in? megboo, asunshine- any other thoughts?

I think you know what you can handle, and just from reading your posts, it sounds like you're balking a little at the thought of going back in there. Listen to your gut.

(Although, I have to say, from all other respects, you would likely be TOTALLY fine and your attendings/nurses/residents would hardly blink an eye. But if it would get to you every day--have mercy on yourself and don't do it.)

Ok, now I gotcha. I understand what you mean now.

Are there any other hospitals in town you could do the rotation you want? We have 3, and when it comes to our M3 year, we are assigned to a particular one, but M4 we can go wherever.

I agree with asunshine - I think you'd be totally fine, but for your peace of mind all around you may want to keep that as a backup rather than first choice.

You know, my first inclination upon reading these posts was to say that I agree 100% with asunshine and megboo that you WOULD totally be fine. Also that either place will likely give you a fine exposure to OB/Gyn, and you should do what you're comfortable with. Then I was thinking that maybe it could be GOOD to challenge yourself to deal with whatever those feelings might be - we are all going into medicine, and the likelihood of having personal experiences that affect our professional lives is not insignificant, so I'm sure we will all have to learn to deal with this in some way (though what you went through with Peanut was a huge ordeal and also very recent).

But then I thought back to my OB/Gyn rotation. I don't know what it's like at your school, so you may want to ask some upperclassmen, but at my school the OB/Gyn residents are known for being very difficult/bordering on malignant. I wouldn't want to go anywhere near that with emotional baggage to boot.

So there, I have been completely unhelpful . Just thought it might be useful to examine the situation from a couple different viewpoints. I do still agree with asunshine and megboo though - you will do great wherever you do your rotation, and will make the most of it!

My thoughts exactly! Don't mean to perpetuate a stereotype, but boy was it true at my school! I would like the idea of going with the kids to your parents even without the emotional aspect that you're describing. What a great opportunity that your schedule will likely not give you again! Sounds like it could be a lot of fun for everyone - you will hopefully be spoiled by your parents (homecooked meal - not by you - every night?), your kids will have a blast, your parents will enjoy their grandkids (just long enough to appreciate having them, and seeing them leave) and your husband will get a little free time. Why not?

The only concerns I would have are:
- is there enough room at your parents' for such a big crew?
- can the grandparents handle it (as mentioned before)
- if not, can you find half-day summer camps, at least for the older kids?
-are your kids "flexible" or will they have trouble adjusting to a new routine? One of mine could sleep in a different bed every night. The other one is so set in his ways he has a hard time with any change!
- are you going into OB and if so, is a rotation at the main hospital better for residency planning (more connected)?