How old is too old...?

[tulip24]

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How old is too old for a female to start medical school (and still have the option of having children if desired)?

 

[Eik Ooc]

36.

It's reasonable to wait until 42 for a live birth. As you know, your oocytes age as you do. The longer you wait the more likely you'll need an egg donor. Over 38 you'll need some infertility workups and possibly IVF. Pregnancy loss and infertility are fairly common. You should build in a buffer of a year and a half to mitigate potential time loss due to miscarriage or infertility treatment. If you really want a biological child, you'll have to start trying by age 40.

I've known a few women personally who gave birth during medical school and residency. Many female residents start families.

 

[WellWornLad]

Turns out it's not illegal to have kids as a medical student/resident. So to answer your question...menopause?

 

[Gamechanger]

I think that's the end of the thread.

Thread/

 

[Scottish Chap]

How old is too old for a female to start medical school (and still have the option of having children if desired)?

As long as you can biologically have children, there is no issue. The oocyte DNA is actually pretty stable until the late 30s, but once you get to ~40, there is an exponential rise in the issues one could have. I know women that started medical school and had kids between MSI and the last year of residency. Some were in their 20s. Some were in their 30s. The common theme was an amazing support network. If you don't have that, I would not go to medical school. It's not worth it. Kids are a better use of time and energy. Having kids is more of a blessing and, unlike with patients, when you are woken up at 2am for the nth time, you will still feel the love. BTW, I am a guy who had my first kid as an MSI and my second an an intern in the ICU. There is no good time. I am an average student. A strong support network is needed.

 

[Fay8]

Check out the mommd forum (google it). It's really interesting to read medical students/residents/doctors journals about life with children and a demanding career.


Best,

Fay

 

[CookDeRosa]

How old is too old for a female to start medical school (and still have the option of having children if desired)?

Maybe you could have your children now and THEN go to medical school when they are a bit older? Of course that's not the politically correct position, but that's the answer you're getting from this mother of 4. There are only 24 hours in a day, your kids, if you decide to have them, deserve a wedge of your pie.

 

[StudyShy]

Maybe you could have your children now and THEN go to medical school when they are a bit older? Of course that's not the politically correct position, but that's the answer you're getting from this mother of 4. There are only 24 hours in a day, your kids, if you decide to have them, deserve a wedge of your pie.

That's what I did! 👍