When is a better time to get pregnant?

[Anonymous]

I am in training to be in the medical field (think doctor, PA, NP type job) and I have the option of either being pregnant while studying for a major exam I need to take (so I will be off my feet) but then I'd have a newborn + pumping while working long hours after completing this exam OR waiting to get pregnant (so not pregnant during this exam) and being on my feet for 12 or so hours a day (working 80+ hours) while pregnant (but no newborn to take care of). I can see the pros and cons of both but I haven't been pregnant or had a newborn so I'm not sure which would be a better bet. We can afford daycare and husband has a very flexible job.

[Anonymous]

Sooner rather than later. I would hate to have to stand for long periods of time while pregnant. I faint very easily when I do that (very very rarely). I prefer to be sleep deprived and tired, but not pregnant... also, you don’t sleep that well while pregnant either

[Anonymous]

PP did you get pregnant brain at all? Do you think you could have taken a major exam?

[Anonymous]

When is a better time to take maternity leave in your field? I wanted to be established for several years in my career as a lawyer before getting pregnant. I recommend against working 80 hours a week while pregnant or with a newborn. I got my long hours and working weekends behind me before trying to conceive. FWIW, my second pregnancy at 37 is far more exhausting than my first was at 34.

[Anonymous]

OP here- unfortunately the nature of my field is that I will be working these hours for a LONG time. My husband will and has to be the default parent.

[Anonymous]

How old are you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP did you get pregnant brain at all? Do you think you could have taken a major exam?

Let me put it this way... I just defended my PhD dissertation and I am 34 weeks pregnant.
I have never had “pregnancy brain”. I do think tht having a new born and studying is harder than working

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP did you get pregnant brain at all? Do you think you could have taken a major exam?

Let me put it this way... I just defended my PhD dissertation and I am 34 weeks pregnant.
I have never had “pregnancy brain”. I do think tht having a new born and studying is harder than working

Also, is harder to work (physically) while pregnant... it would be a very easy choice for me.

[Anonymous]

OP here- I am early 30s. Also forgot to mention that in my medical field I will def not get great maternity leave so that is a moot point (at most 6 weeks leave).

[Anonymous]

Depends on your age. If you are young, I'd wait until all your training is over to get pregnant. If you are over 30, I'd try to get pregnant now when you are studying for the exam. Just don't try to study with a newborn.

DH is a surgeon. I feel like many women physicians have babies at the end of residency, during fellowship or right after fellowship. DH finished med school at 27, residency at 32 and surgical fellowship at 33. He did not take any breaks but many of his colleagues took a year or two between college and med school.

[Anonymous]

I would rather be working while pregnant. Unless you can afford overnight help in the beginning (or your DH can take leave and will be doing most of the night shifts) because those first few months can be hell. Have a newborn is just an overall shock to the system. Lack of sleep plus your hormones are all over the place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP did you get pregnant brain at all? Do you think you could have taken a major exam?

Let me put it this way... I just defended my PhD dissertation and I am 34 weeks pregnant.
I have never had “pregnancy brain”. I do think tht having a new born and studying is harder than working

congrats!

[Anonymous]

A lot of employers require you to be working for a year before you're eligible for maternity leave or even FMLA, FYI. I would wait to try to TTC until you've been on the job at least 3 months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here- I am early 30s. Also forgot to mention that in my medical field I will def not get great maternity leave so that is a moot point (at most 6 weeks leave).

If I were you, I would plan to get pregnant now while studying for a major exam without working long hours on my feet. My first pregnancy in early 30s is really smooth, bingo on first try. My 2nd pregnancy in mid-30s takes almost a year to get pregnant, and it comes with a lot of complications with high risk factor. I don't know how long normally it takes to study & complete the medical exam, but I think it is a lot easier to rest & take break at home while being pregnant.

[Anonymous]

I'd start sooner rather than later just b/c you don't actually know how long it'll take and it's impossible to know which will be the hard part for you. My first pregnancy I breezed through, working and working out intensely the whole time - I didn't miss a step. Second pregnancy has knocked me on my ass with exhaustion.

Baby #1 was super tough due to a variety of fairly common feeding / health issues. Some friends' babies have been relative breeze which also makes their transition to motherhood so much easier b/c they're not stressing over and obsessively tracking weight gain and oz eaten etc etc etc.

In retrospect you might feel like there was an ideal time for you, but until you experience your specific pregnancy and your specific newborn its really impossible to know.