Accepted--- now I need help.

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deleted975457

Please don't quote due to sensitive nature.

I've been lucky enough to be admitted to multiple MD programs as a reapplicant. I'm supposed to start in July, but the twist is that I just found out yesterday that I'm pregnant. It's still very early so I'm not yet sure how things will go but if I don't miscarry, I would be due in the early fall.

This will be my second child, my first is two and I'm married with a supportive spouse. We did want another kid.... but were planning to shoot more for the end of M1. Now I don't know what to do as far as notifying schools. I would prefer a deferral as I know how hard having a newborn is and it is important to me to have sufficient time to recover, my last delivery ended up with a some significant health issues.

All the programs I have been admitted to appear to allow deferrals on a case by case sort of deal. I'm not sure whether this would be something that would qualify as a good reason. And what should be the time frame I should start notifying schools? I would ideally like to suss out whether a deferral would be granted to my top choice prior to the April 30th deadline so I can choose a more amenable program if they won't grant it. But of course I'd also like to make sure this pregnancy is likely to progress before I reach out to programs.

The other option is that I just start in July at my number one and wing it, but I'm nervous about having to take a LOA if me or the next baby has issues again and how that would impact my application for residency later on down the road.
 
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Have you actually talked to your first choice dean? I think with your past history a deferral would be easily granted. And you have three months to see how your pregnancy is going before April 30. If you could get some facts from the school, it might put your mind at ease as you are dealing with your health. I’m not sure anyone except the dean can really answer your question.
Good luck. I hope things work out.
 
Have you actually talked to your first choice dean? I think with your past history a deferral would be easily granted. And you have three months to see how your pregnancy is going before April 30. If you could get some facts from the school, it might put your mind at ease as you are dealing with your health. I’m not sure anyone except the dean can really answer your question.
Good luck. I hope things work out.

Thank you. I have not yet reached out to the dean, I'm still a little shell shocked by the whole thing and I'm worried this may impact my acceptance. All information that I'm aware of regarding deferrals comes from school websites/MSAR But I may feel more comfortable disclosing once I've met with MFM and things look viable.
 
Some are recommending deferrals.

I would also recommend checking if your classes are mandatory and what classes you have first semester. In the school I hope to matriculate at, all lectures are posted online and anatomy lab isn't until second semester which might be helpful for pregnant mothers. Be completely informed before making your decision.
 
I’ve also had a classmate defer due to difficult pregnancy, and another who deferred because she would be delivering during 1st year. She got 5+ months home with the baby before starting and said it was a great decision.

I also know someone a year ahead of me who started OMS-2 with a 2 yr old and a 1 month old. Her husband stays home with the kids though.

if you’re going to be considered a high risk pregnancy I would think what would warrant a deferral with no issues at all.
 
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