I got knocked up. :O

[Nanon]

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Ya, you read that right. I'm pregnant. 😱😕😱 ... We're surprised, but we're also pretty excited about this. However, I have an interview in NYC in December, and today I called other schools I've applied to in NY to see where I was in the cue. Most of them said, "Well, if you haven't heard about an interview, you'll just have to wait."

I totally understand that, but I really, really don't want to interview in a maternity suit, don't want to spend the extra cash to travel out there twice, and don't want to interview across the country 6+ months pregnant. Should I tell them about my, er, condition?

S.

 

[dec0y]

Legally, you don't have to.

I'd say if you are still committed to starting med-school, then don't tell them. After you are accepted then see if you can defer for a year?

Tricky situation...

 

[njbmd]

Your pregnancy has no bearing on your acceptance and need not be disclosed unless you disclose it. While I agree that attempting to fly (probably won't let you on the plane if you are too pregnant), is a downer, there are plenty of smart and professional maternity (or non-maternity but hide a pregnancy) suits out there. Babies come when they come and congratulations on your upcoming event.

 

[sindadel]

Yikes! How exciting and terrifying at the same time. 🙂 Regarding maternity suits, you can probably rent some very nice stuff if you need to at the time. Maybe invest in a below-the-belly pair of nice dress pants in black. With a black blazer, you'd probably look pretty reasonable.

Good luck for interviews to come soon...

 

[Nanon]

Yikes! How exciting and terrifying at the same time. 🙂 Regarding maternity suits, you can probably rent some very nice stuff if you need to at the time. Maybe invest in a below-the-belly pair of nice dress pants in black. With a black blazer, you'd probably look pretty reasonable.

Good luck for interviews to come soon...

Wow, I'd never even considered renting a maternity suit! Thanks for the idea! I was thinking of just wearing one of my regular suits with a belly band and a maternity shirt to hide the band and the lump - but that comes with it's own set of frustrations.

Thanks for your advise, everyone! This whole application process has been like a very special episode of "Days of our Lives" for me. I did tell one admin lady this morning - she asked me if there was a special reason for me to ask - and she was REALLY nice about it, but you guys are probably right about keeping it under my vest, so to speak. I guess because I have a little kid already, I don't even think along these lines.
🙄

S.

 

[NTF]

😱 Whoa. Congratulations!

 

[dragonfly99]

I would not tell them you are pregnant...it really can't be used as a lever to get them to interview you sooner so why bother. If you get accepted, could consider asking for a 1 year deferred acceptance, but I wouldn't bring up anything related to pregnancy during your interview. It's not relevant to your ability to be a doctor.

 

[crazydiamond]

Congrats! You'll be OK. As someone with 2 kids, one being only 6 mos, I can assure you that while it's scary now, it gets easier with time. You'll look back at this time and see it largely as a non-issue. Pregnancy happens, ya know?

As long as your pregnancy is low risk, you can fly up to 36 weeks. Being that you're traveling all the way from CA to NY, I say it's best to intentionally schedule a flight that has 1 or 2 layovers. You'll need to get up and walk around to minimize the chance of blood clots, though it's less of a risk early on.

To be honest, I think it might be a blessing in disguise if you can't interview with the other NY schools at the same time. I know me, personally, would rather have 100 interviews while 6+ mos pregnant than 1 in the throes of morning sickness. My morning sickness was very mild (and after seeing my friend go through awful hyperemesis, I feel very lucky), but it was still very irritating to feel constantly on the verge of puking and not being able to eat more than a bite or two at each meal. It's just not a good time to get all dressed up and hop on a plane and have a very important interview. But you gotta do what you gotta do.

Do not disclose, even if you're obviously pregnant. They can't ask and you shouldn't volunteer. A lot 1st timers don't start needing to wear maternity clothes until 20 weeks or so, so you might get away with wearing a normal suit and just not zipping up the skirt/pants (use a bellaband or get creative in hiding this). You've got a blouse and a jacket to help conceal it. I doubt anybody would know, even months from now. Heck, both times I was pregnant I was working at a job where I could wear jeans and a blouse and I swear, I was at least 32 weeks before people started wondering. And I started wearing materntity pants at 18 weeks!! Most people are just clueless or assume you're a little pudgy.

 

[Druzie]

Congrats! Very exciting.

Btw, you just found out, so I assume you're not too far along? 6 months from now is May... interview season would be over by then, right? So I don't think you need to worry about that part.

 

[Nanon]

Congrats! Very exciting.

Btw, you just found out, so I assume you're not too far along? 6 months from now is May... interview season would be over by then, right? So I don't think you need to worry about that part.

Lol, true. Actually, I'm not really sure how far along I am, but yes, 6 months would be pushing it. I can't be more than 8 weeks right now - I'll find out in a few more weeks.

Crazydiamond - You brought up a lot of good points that I hadn't thought about. Layovers! That's brilliant! I think the thing I'm most afraid of is hyperemesis through this, because I had it with the first one. So far, so good... and there's always Zofran. Second thing I'm worried about is pregnancy brain drain and falling asleep during the interview. I'm worried about the maternity suit because with the first one, I was GARGANTUAN. HUUUUUGE!!! And with this one, I'm already starting to pooch. 😱 WTF???

Thanks for the well-wishes and excellent advise! You guys are the best.

S.

 

[kdmt7]

Ya, you read that right. I'm pregnant. 😱😕😱 ... We're surprised, but we're also pretty excited about this. However, I have an interview in NYC in December, and today I called other schools I've applied to in NY to see where I was in the cue. Most of them said, "Well, if you haven't heard about an interview, you'll just have to wait."

I totally understand that, but I really, really don't want to interview in a maternity suit, don't want to spend the extra cash to travel out there twice, and don't want to interview across the country 6+ months pregnant. Should I tell them about my, er, condition?

S.

Congrats, I also just found out that my wife is pregnant. She is 7-8 weeks. I am worried about getting enough financial aid to cover all the expenses of having a kid, but I have no idea what to expect as this is my first. Anyways best of luck!

 

[crazydiamond]

Sorry for assuming this was your first! It sounds like you know the drill then 🙂 if you had hyperemesis with your first, then I'm so very sorry. Depending how bad it is when you go interview in Dec I'd maybe see if someone can go on the trip with you in case you need to go to a hospital for IV fluids and help you navigate and get dressed. And honestly, if zofran makes you dopey (it did when I was on it) then you might be better off discussing it in the interview.

 

[student1799]

Wow, congratulations!

I'm worried about the maternity suit because with the first one, I was GARGANTUAN. HUUUUUGE!!! And with this one, I'm already starting to pooch. 😱 WTF???

This gave me a couple of funny thoughts:

1. What an interesting post this would make on the pre-allo "Women's Inteview Clothing" thread ...

2. I know what you mean about showing much faster with the second one. At my first maternity checkup for kid #2, the nurse said to me, "My, we're busting out all over."

Good luck with your future fashion decisions.

P.S. I know why you did this: you read all those posts from women agonizing about whether it's better to have children during med school or during residency, and decided to avoid the whole problem by getting it done during the application process! Very clever.🙂

 

[CultureDoc]

Congrats, Nanon! (love the sig addition also. ) I hope some of the other New York schools come around and let you schedule another interview for your trip out there. You might try e-mailing a letter of interest (I have a feeling the NY schools are busy as heck and not as responsive on the phone).

2. I know what you mean about showing much faster with the second one. At my first maternity checkup for kid #2, the nurse said to me, "My, we're busting out all over."

That's lovely. My husband's aunt got "Wow, you're pretty big for 12 weeks. Are you having twins?" 😱 You would think these medical professionals would be a little more sensitive!

 

[sindadel]

After my experience with nurses making unsolicited comments about my weight while I was pregnant with twins, I definitely plan to have sensitivity training for my nurses if I end up in ob/gyn!! I mean, seriously, they weighed me in winter coat and boots after a day of eating and drinking... That's worth at LEAST 20 pounds right there! :lol

 

[Nanon]

Wow, congratulations!

This gave me a couple of funny thoughts:

1. What an interesting post this would make on the pre-allo "Women's Inteview Clothing" thread ...

Ohhhh, I should, shouldn't I? Post some of the more hideous examples of "professional maternity wear" and ask, "Is this cute? Should I wear stripper heels with this to make me look taller?"

2. I know what you mean about showing much faster with the second one. At my first maternity checkup for kid #2, the nurse said to me, "My, we're busting out all over."

I already have new stretch marks. How messed up is that?

P.S. I know why you did this: you read all those posts from women agonizing about whether it's better to have children during med school or during residency, and decided to avoid the whole problem by getting it done during the application process! Very clever.🙂

You're on to me... 😉

Thanks, everyone! Culture Doc, I think I'll take your advice about the LOI's. Couldn't hurt...

S.

 

[NTF]

Congrats, I also just found out that my wife is pregnant. She is 7-8 weeks. I am worried about getting enough financial aid to cover all the expenses of having a kid, but I have no idea what to expect as this is my first. Anyways best of luck!

Congrats to you, too! My wife is pregnant as well. Wow, what a productive application season we've all had. 😀

 

[Nanon]

Congrats, I also just found out that my wife is pregnant. She is 7-8 weeks. I am worried about getting enough financial aid to cover all the expenses of having a kid, but I have no idea what to expect as this is my first. Anyways best of luck!

Yes, congrats! And to you, too, nontradfogie! All I can say is that babies are as expensive as you want them to be. Craigslist, my friend. Craigslist and diaper coupons. And student housing. 😀

 

[Crelal]

Don't offer that you're pregnant. I am a reapplicant, and was rejected/waitlisted by all schools when I interviewed pregnant. (February baby, 10 lbs 7 oz two weeks early 😱) I obviously had a hard time hiding that bump!

This time around (not pregnant) I have multiple acceptances. Is it all to do with the pregnancy? Who knows, but I wouldn't chance it.

I did totally bulge out with my second, but not as much with our last. Every pregnancy was so different.

And, IMO, now is a better time to have little ones than trying to cram it in during med school/residency. Mine will be 6, 4, and 2 when I start. 4 y.o. Kindergarten means only one in daycare. But that is just me- again everyone is different.

Enjoy! Kids are wonderful! 😍

 

[Lacheln]

Congratulations!!!

 

[A Long Story]

I like reading your posts Nanon, you're very positive in how you deal with things in life. I don't have any advice just wanted to say Congratulations and I hope you get in this cycle.

 

[akinetopsia]

Was it Seth Rogen??

Just kidding. Congratulations and good luck sorting out the interviews!

 

[primadonna22274]

Big congrats Nanon! And happy birthday too 🙂

 

[ChairmanMao]

I don't remember if I congratulated you yet. But congrats on the baby and your 40th birthday! You really have your hands full this year 🙂 Keep up the positive attitude. I wish you no less than the best.

 

[Nanon]

Thank you, everyone! I had a big ol' party yesterday, kicked everyone out by 9pm and then fell asleep in my new fuzzy robe after drinking herbal tea with my feet propped up on pillows.

Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

 

[CultureDoc]

Thank you, everyone! I had a big ol' party yesterday, kicked everyone out by 9pm and then fell asleep in my new fuzzy robe after drinking herbal tea with my feet propped up on pillows.

Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

Fallen? That sounds like la dolce vita to me!! 👍 Happy belated B-day! Glad you got to and 😴 like a star. 😀

 

[mommy2three]

congrats!

 

[mp1106]

Ya, you read that right. I'm pregnant. 😱😕😱 ... We're surprised, but we're also pretty excited about this. However, I have an interview in NYC in December, and today I called other schools I've applied to in NY to see where I was in the cue. Most of them said, "Well, if you haven't heard about an interview, you'll just have to wait."

I totally understand that, but I really, really don't want to interview in a maternity suit, don't want to spend the extra cash to travel out there twice, and don't want to interview across the country 6+ months pregnant. Should I tell them about my, er, condition?

S.

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep it to yourself.

 

[mp1106]

Legally, you don't have to.

I'd say if you are still committed to starting med-school, then don't tell them. After you are accepted then see if you can defer for a year?

Tricky situation...

That is exactly what I would have done. Getting into Med School is already hard don't add that extra factor on your application.