Maternity problems

[hellomotto]

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I have some questions about my situation. I had matched and am supposed to join on the 1st of July. But I am pregnant with the EDD on August 15th. I had contacted the PD and the PD gave me 2 options. Firstly I can start my residency from October 1st(after 3 months) or I could start after an year. Personally, I dont like the idea of starting the residency after 1 year. But I was wondering what the implications are if I am going to be late by 3 months. Would I miss out on joining fellowship after my residency? I would appreciate if someone can throw light on the issue(s) surrounding these options.

 

[Winged Scapula]

I have some questions about my situation. I had matched and am supposed to join on the 1st of July. But I am pregnant with the EDD on August 15th. I had contacted the PD and the PD gave me 2 options. Firstly I can start my residency from October 1st(after 3 months) or I could start after an year. Personally, I dont like the idea of starting the residency after 1 year. But I was wondering what the implications are if I am going to be late by 3 months. Would I miss out on joining fellowship after my residency? I would appreciate if someone can throw light on the issue(s) surrounding these options.

You've already mentioned one of the obvious drawbacks to starting late: missing out on the bonding/fellowship with your fellow interns. The first 3 months are prime time for getting to know each other, working closely and sharing the suffering.

The other main drawback is that you will be spending some time just getting oriented to the hospital and getting your feet as an intern while all of your colleagues will have already somewhat mastered this. Instead of learning where the Path lab is, the closest bathroom to the nurse's station, the best food in the cafeteria or how to order a PET Scan in July, you will be learning it in October.

So what? You will learn this, you will get to know your fellow interns eventaully and in the end, there will be no perceptible difference because of your late start. The only other concern would be the possibility of fellowship: if you are interested or may be interested in pursuing one, you will be off schedule and would likely have to take the extra 9 months off anyway. So whether you do it now or then is really up to you - it might be nice to spend it with your child but a break between residency and fellowship might be well appreciated too.

 

[Furrball]

Not to mention that you could work an earn money between residency and fellowship.

 

[hellomotto]

Thanks for the replies. I was wondering if the break after residency would cause any problems in getting into a fellowship. I mean would it be a "black" mark on my application. Also when(in which year) should I apply for the fellowship. Appreciate any responses.

 

[shala]

usually your second year you apply for fellowship. And now Feb-Mar almost is the season for fellowshio interview.

Thanks for the replies. I was wondering if the break after residency would cause any problems in getting into a fellowship. I mean would it be a "black" mark on my application. Also when(in which year) should I apply for the fellowship. Appreciate any responses.

 

[sb_MD]

What is the harm in holding off residency for a year (besides financial reasons), especially if the program is willing to hold a space for you? You would get more time to bond with your BABY, which, I don't know, maybe it is just me, seems just a tad more important than bonding with your fellow residents and worrying about your fellowship down the road.

 

[carol ann]

My 2 cents -- take the year off. In the big picture it won't matter...that way you get to start off fresh with other interns and you don't have to rush to the hospital 6 weeks after your baby is born...having an infant at home is a MAJOR sleep sucker. I can't imagine starting residency already sleep deprived and then...well...you know.

I know that other women have chosen to do it that way, and I respect that...however, I know that I COULD NEVER have done that.

 

[neuroticchica]

I don't know what specialty you are applying for but coming in late may cause problems if this is a rigorous year (surgery, ob/gyn, etc). Basically, I know of someone who matched into a program and called her PD on Match Day to say "Um, I am pregnant and due July something so I need the first two-three months off." Needless to say, her pregnancy was not something she made known prior to rankings. Now, she is an awesome surgery resident, don't get me wrong, but it did not sit well with the other residents that they had to carry her weight for the first three months and when I was a med student on the rotation in April of her intern year, I still heard them talking about her in a negative way.... Just something to keep in mind if the bonding thing is important.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Thanks for the replies. I was wondering if the break after residency would cause any problems in getting into a fellowship. I mean would it be a "black" mark on my application. Also when(in which year) should I apply for the fellowship. Appreciate any responses.

As noted below, you apply for fellowships anywhere from the year before your final year (not necessarily 2nd year as you didn't state what residency you'll be going into; so for a 5 year residency you would usually apply for fellowship starting right after completion of your final year in your 4th year, and so on), to sometime early your final year.

Thus, there will be a break only after applications are in, and even if there were, it wouldn't be a "black marK" as you have a very legitimate reason for taking time off.

I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[ks622]

I have some questions about my situation. I had matched and am supposed to join on the 1st of July. But I am pregnant with the EDD on August 15th. I had contacted the PD and the PD gave me 2 options. Firstly I can start my residency from October 1st(after 3 months) or I could start after an year. Personally, I dont like the idea of starting the residency after 1 year. But I was wondering what the implications are if I am going to be late by 3 months. Would I miss out on joining fellowship after my residency? I would appreciate if someone can throw light on the issue(s) surrounding these options.

Hi, just wanted to let you know I know how you are feeling. I am starting a Peds residency in "July" but am pregnant too. My EDD is June 21. I told the PD on the interview that I was pregnant. He was extremely understanding and said it wouldn't be a problem or held against me...and he stayed true to his word. In fact there is another woman in my intern class with the same due date as you. I will be taking July off and starting on August 1, I'm pretty sure, unless they give me some other kind of deal. It's going to be so hard leaving the baby, but my husband works from home and will take about a month off from his job once I start residency. I believe this other woman I mentioned will start her residency in July, then take some time off.

I sent the other interns an email a couple nights ago introducing myself, and offering to get together with them (before I get "too pregnant" to hang out!). If you are thinking of starting a couple months late, I would suggest you do this. This way you can meet some of them, and you can keep in touch by phone and email so you have a connection to them when you finally start.

Good luck!

 

[ks622]

My 2 cents -- take the year off. In the big picture it won't matter...that way you get to start off fresh with other interns and you don't have to rush to the hospital 6 weeks after your baby is born...having an infant at home is a MAJOR sleep sucker. I can't imagine starting residency already sleep deprived and then...well...you know.

I know that other women have chosen to do it that way, and I respect that...however, I know that I COULD NEVER have done that.

I thought long and hard about taking the year off too, but in the end, I don't think our financial situation would allow for it. My husband and I have a mortgage to pay, and we didn't exactly buy a small home (not that it's a mansion or anything, but a significant payment). The extra cash could really help. We are really barely getting by right now, and with a baby we will need all the more money. It's such a hard decision, though. Also, a few friends of mine had babies in med school. My one friend took 3 months off (somehow) for pre-and post-partum. She said that after that amount of time, she was ready to return to school, and I have a feeling I might be the same way.

The best advice is to choose what's best for you...rank your priorities and then choose accodringly.

 

[hellomotto]

I thought long and hard about taking the year off too, but in the end, I don't think our financial situation would allow for it. My husband and I have a mortgage to pay, and we didn't exactly buy a small home (not that it's a mansion or anything, but a significant payment). The extra cash could really help. We are really barely getting by right now, and with a baby we will need all the more money. It's such a hard decision, though. Also, a few friends of mine had babies in med school. My one friend took 3 months off (somehow) for pre-and post-partum. She said that after that amount of time, she was ready to return to school, and I have a feeling I might be the same way.

The best advice is to choose what's best for you...rank your priorities and then choose accodringly.

Thank you so much for your advice. Thanks to all who contributed to the thread.