Getting pregnant D1 year

[Dentistlife]

My husband and I really want kids. I really don't want to wait. Any advice? I have tons of help and financial support. Did anybody experience this and can talk about it?

I’m not looking for anybody to tell me not to do it. I’m looking for someone who did experience childbirth in dental school. Thank you!!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[tinman831]

One of my classmates had a baby her first year in dental school. It was not easy at all. It was obviously doable but you could tell it aged her. You will be swamped with exams, projects, and studying. Carrying a baby is exhausting, and raising one just as hard. Doing that while going through dental school? It's going to be brutal. But if you asked her if she would do it again, she would tell you "Yes. In a heartbeat." The rest of my classmates got married or had kids their third or fourth years into dental school. You're focusing more on clinical work and less of the didactic stuff. It tends to be a bit more manageable at that point.

 

[D1Bound]

I know of one individual that did. She wished she didn’t even go to dental school at that point so she could focus on her child. The rest that had kids were pretty much not interested in dentistry by the end.

 

[deleted923283]

My classmates either planned to take off a year for maternity leave, or have the grandmother raise the baby until things calmed down during clinical years.

 

[Saddleshoes]

I had a classmate take a year off and it seemed to have worked out fine.

 

[GoDental101]

I know of one individual that did. She wished she didn’t even go to dental school at that point so she could focus on her child. The rest that had kids were pretty much not interested in dentistry by the end.

I would echo this. I would say start having kids first and if you still want to go to dental school when your first kid is two or three then go, but likely most change their mind. Dental school is a huge commitment and many feel stuck in the profession after with the loans and all.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I would talk to your peers currently at dental school, especially the more senior students. You should also talk with your student support administrators. You should also make sure your prenatal care is optimal, given your local political environment.

From my own advocacy in this area, I am convinced that location/resources are much more important than timing when it comes to having children. Your situation is different if your support system is close vs. further away. Certainly you can do it as long as you know how supported you will be either with leave policies or informally with student support.

 

[Dentistlife]

One of my classmates had a baby her first year in dental school. It was not easy at all. It was obviously doable but you could tell it aged her. You will be swamped with exams, projects, and studying. Carrying a baby is exhausting, and raising one just as hard. Doing that while going through dental school? It's going to be brutal. But if you asked her if she would do it again, she would tell you "Yes. In a heartbeat." The rest of my classmates got married or had kids their third or fourth years into dental school. You're focusing more on clinical work and less of the didactic stuff. It tends to be a bit more manageable at that point.

Wow thank you!

 

[Dentistlife]

My classmates either planned to take off a year for maternity leave, or have the grandmother raise the baby until things calmed down during

I would talk to your peers currently at dental school, especially the more senior students. You should also talk with your student support administrators. You should also make sure your prenatal care is optimal, given your local political environment.

From my own advocacy in this area, I am convinced that location/resources are much more important than timing when it comes to having children. Your situation is different if your support system is close vs. further away. Certainly you can do it as long as you know how supported you will be either with leave policies or informally with student support.

Thank you! I agree with you! I believe, if I am supported inside and outside of school, everything will fall into place! Regardless, if I have it 2nd or 3rd year, it makes no significant difference in my opinion.

 

[OncePreDent]

My husband and I really want kids. I really don't want to wait. Any advice? I have tons of help and financial support. Did anybody experience this and can talk about it?

I’m not looking for anybody to tell me not to do it. I’m looking for someone who did experience childbirth in dental school. Thank you!!

In my school, I'd say about 25% of my classmates have kids. None of them took any major time off (couple weeks), and another one of my classmates is currently pregnant (due in a couple of weeks). They haven't had any issues at all. A ton of people at my school have kids throughout dental school so I think you should for sure do it!

Edit: I just read other people's comments, and it looks like it is extremely dental school-specific. I go to Roseman University, which is extremely family-friendly and supportive of kids in dental school. I have asked many of my classmates who have kids or had kids going into dental school my D1 year and they said they didn't have any issues with it. But my dental school might be different than yours. Overall, I think it wouldn't be an issue having kids at my school, but every school is different.

 

[Mytoothbetold]

My husband and I really want kids. I really don't want to wait. Any advice? I have tons of help and financial support. Did anybody experience this and can talk about it?

I’m not looking for anybody to tell me not to do it. I’m looking for someone who did experience childbirth in dental school. Thank you!!

I love this! I’m a D2 now and am hoping to be married within the next year. I would also love to be a young mom. It’s unfair how men in medicine can always continue with their lives but women are expected to put theirs on pause. From what I’ve heard, as long as you have support from family/friends and someone to watch the baby, you’ll do great! By the time the baby is old enough to retain memories, they won’t even remember how much or little you were there when studying!! You got this girly❤️