D1 or D2 having a baby possible????

[DSchoolHopeful]

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Okay, so my questions go out to all the current D-students out there. I am a 28 yrs old female (currently working on pre-reqs) looking to get into dental school and be admitted by Fall of 2013. In the midst of it all, I'd like to start a family (I know, I'm not Super Woman!). ANYWAY, my questions are: Would I be shooting myself in the foot if I had a baby right before starting as a D1? Or should I wait to start a family later on? Ideally, I'd like to have my first child before I start dental school but I'm not sure if its the best idea. I know it will be hard but I'm trying to get an idea of how demanding dental school will be initially.

Becoming a dentist is a dream of mine but I'd also like to start a family as soon as possible.

Please advise! Thank you!!

 

[Daurang]

Dental school is tough but it's possible. Why add unnecessary stress on your life and your baby?

 

[SeattleRDH]

Have your baby before if possible. You never know how your pregnancy will go. Prereqs are much less demanding than dental school. Do you have a plan for childcare? If you have a parent nearby things will go much smoother. If you wait until dental school try to go to one that has podcast lectures. I've heard that D3 or D4 are less demanding but I'm not in dental school yet.

 

[NAVY DDS 2010]

Have your baby before if possible. You never know how your pregnancy will go. Prereqs are much less demanding than dental school. Do you have a plan for childcare? If you have a parent nearby things will go much smoother. If you wait until dental school try to go to one that has podcast lectures. I've heard that D3 or D4 are less demanding but I'm not in dental school yet.

I am going to comment because I have witnessed this by many students - having a child in d-school is very possible - both in the first two years as well as the second two years. The biggest thing is have a plan on how you will handle your situation. Many moms have given birth while in d-school and done well. Many of the dads have been very involved with the raising of their children and done well. The biggest thing is maximizing the free time you have to study, so chores, shop, sleep, etc. If you don't waste time, then raising a child really won't be that difficult for you.

 

[lemoncurry]

what NavyDDS said, plus my comments.

I have one classmate that had her baby before school started and one classmate that had a baby during D3 year. In each case, the common denominator was that they had a good support system, whether it was their mom helping out or relatives, or a nanny or whatever. I'm a father of 4, so I can understand what a parent in dental school goes through, but I am fortunate as my wife stays at home with the kids and allows me any study time I need. I imagine it would be tougher for a mom than a dad, but with the right support, anything is possible.

 

[NAVY DDS 2010]

what NavyDDS said, plus my comments.

I have one classmate that had her baby before school started and one classmate that had a baby during D3 year. In each case, the common denominator was that they had a good support system, whether it was their mom helping out or relatives, or a nanny or whatever. I'm a father of 4, so I can understand what a parent in dental school goes through, but I am fortunate as my wife stays at home with the kids and allows me any study time I need. I imagine it would be tougher for a mom than a dad, but with the right support, anything is possible.

I agree with lemoncurry for the most part. The only thing I will slightly disagree with is the comment about being harder on the mom than the dad. If you assume the mother is the primary caretaker (which is the case the majority of the time), then yes, what lemoncurry said is correct. But, the reverse does happen. I cannot comment on what it was like a a DS1 or DS2, but I do know what it is like raising 2 babies as a dental student. I made the most sacrifices as a parent for a 2 reasons : 1. My wife worked full time as a pharmacist plus went to school full time on the weekends getting her MBA from UT-Austin. 2. She cannot emotionally function on less than 6 hours per night consistently. So, in order to allow her to get her studying done, I took care of the babies when they weren't going to the Montessori school. I usually stayed up lake doing the chores and getting our things ready for the next day. With the assistance of Monster energy drinks, I can function on 2-3 hrs per night for extended periods. Therefore, I bit the bullet for our family.

No matter what, raising a kid in d-school is a challenge, but very doable. Many people do it and succeed!

 

[cuspofcarabelli]

This really a good question. I married b4 I started dental school with 0 children but I have seen it all. 3 of my classmates had babies during school( one during D1, 2nd one D2 and 3rd one D3). The challenge were all the same for all of them except the one that had hers @ D3 ( she had more time, and school was not that stressful due to the fact we were in clinic 90% of the time).
The other 2 had a really tough time because there were no families around to help. They were very stressed out. The one that had it during D1, was not able to pass her NBDE I and the other one had hard time to keep up with the flow and the tremendous lab works (D2 is pre clinical so a lot of lab works n stuff), she had to repeat.
I'm not trying to scare you but being honest, but if finances is not a problem u can afford a nanny or a good day care. Also if ur husband is available u guys can manage. As long as u have the help, u can have a baby any time during dental school. It ll be tough but not impossible to pull it off.
I also wanted to have baby but now I'm D4, so i might just wait till I graduate or at least get pregnant b4 I graduate. There is not a perfect time cuz now I'm studying for NBDE2, applied for residency, meet all my clinical requirements, need to get my licence after I graduate...is not going away, I thought D4 ll be the perfect time but I guess there is not such thing. U just have to do it and ask God to help you!
Overall D3 ll be good time, that's what my other classmate said!! Or b4 dental school ll be perfect too..

Good luck girl

 

[DSchoolHopeful]

Thanks for all of your input guys! I trust that while it may be hard, its definitely possible given certain circumstances. I guess for right now I will worry about getting into dental school first lol I was just looking for a little comfort and some words of encouragement. Thanks again!

 

[SeattleRDH]

One thing you can't plan for is the toll it may take on you physically. My husband does just as much for our baby as I do but 9 months before that it was all me. More than likely everything will be fine but in the case that it isn't try to put yourself in the least stressful position possible.
I took 3 finals the week before my son was due, became preeclampsic, spent 5 days in the hospital, ended up with an excruciatingly painful nerve compression injury, had to take oxycodon every 4 hours for 2 months, was back in class 8 days after he was born (thank god for podcasts) and took the DAT a month after that. I'm not gonna lie, IT SUCKED!

I don't know what I would have done if my mom hadn't been there.

 

[DrJeff]

One thing you can't plan for is the toll it may take on you physically. My husband does just as much for our baby as I do but 9 months before that it was all me. More than likely everything will be fine but in the case that it isn't try to put yourself in the least stressful position possible.
I took 3 finals the week before my son was due, became preeclampsic, spent 5 days in the hospital, ended up with an excruciatingly painful nerve compression injury, had to take oxycodon every 4 hours for 2 months, was back in class 8 days after he was born (thank god for podcasts) and took the DAT a month after that. I'm not gonna lie, IT SUCKED!

I don't know what I would have done if my mom hadn't been there.

This is such a HUGE factor in many cases to make it manageable. One's spouse can be a big help for sure, but having one's parent around and willingly available can be a godsend for so many reasons. 1st off, speaking from the male spouse perspective, we're just as clueless sometimes about why the baby is crying/what to do when the baby won't fall asleep, etc as the new mom is (even if we try to put on a brave face). Secondly, after weeks of sleep deprivation, yup, we're usually just as fried as the new mom is mentally too (I can't tell you the number of times with my 1st child that I practically couldn't remember which way it was from my office to my house (I only need to make 3 turns in the 15 minute ride) at the end of the day after a number of nights of doing the overnight bottle so my wife could get some uninterrupted sleep). With the mom factor, heck, our parents did this before, and there's very often this calming factor that takes over when our mom's break out a few of their tricks to quiet down a baby that work! Plus, they have the experience all too often that can quickly discern what a cry that needs attention is vs. one that doesn't (this is something that most parents pick up by the 2nd kid )

Is a baby in d-school doable, yup. But it's much "easier" (a totally relative word here) with a vast support mechanism

 

[kattt]

I know digging up an oldish post is silly but I would like to say thanks. I am doing further research on the career and as a female who would really like children this was my biggest concern. My husband is 100% willing to help me out as much as possible, even being a SAHD with when we have children but I still had my doubts regarding this career and having a family. I think we will have a child(ren?) before dental school rather than during though-- I'm a little worried about pregnancy issues.

 

[Rutgers2015]

What about getting married in dental school? Is there any time? I mean especially towards the end of D3 year-- there is barely a summer after D3 year? Is it possible to "take a week off" in May of your D3 year to get married/have a quick honeymoon?