Pregnancy during a residency...can it be done?

[nkgdds]

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I'm in a dental residency in NY state that is longer than 1 year. My husband and I want to have a baby in my second year as I am not getting any younger.
Problem is that I don't know what my rights and responsiblities are during the pregnancy and afterwards.
Our director is difficult and I'm not sure that telling my director is the best thing to do. I don't want to get kicked out or get a bad recommendation in the future.
If anyone has some insight to this, please let me know. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[280040]

I'm in a dental residency in NY state that is longer than 1 year. My husband and I want to have a baby in my second year as I am not getting any younger.
Problem is that I don't know what my rights and responsiblities are during the pregnancy and afterwards.
Our director is difficult and I'm not sure that telling my director is the best thing to do. I don't want to get kicked out or get a bad recommendation in the future.
If anyone has some insight to this, please let me know. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

I know dentistry isn't the most important thing in life but you made a commitment. You will not be honoring that commitment. Are you ok with that? If so. Have your baby. You will be punishing everyone else in your program though.

 

[OMFSPrime]

nkgdds,
That is such a big decision and there are many valid points to be made, including the ones you bring up. May I ask if this is an oral surgery residency or 2 year gpr? If it is any other residency, I don't think you would be hurting anyone else in your group.

Its really tough to plan out a family with such a hectic lifestyle during training, the stress of certain patients, timing, and everything else heaped on top of you.

If you know this is right for you and your husband, then there should not be anything to hold you back. Being the responsible doctor you are, you should be able to manage your responsibilities (timewise) in clinic/rotation.

I am sure you are not the first person to come up with this idea in your residency. Talk to a few friends, past graduates if you can, ask generally.

It can be done! What is right for you, is right for you.

How much longer do you have before you finish up?

Don't aim for octuplets😱

Best,
OMFSPrime

 

[DrJeff]

Can it be done?? Yes - as others have said, don't exactly expect you're co-residents to be all happy about it as depending on the type of residency you're in, your maternity abscence may very well likely increase their workload and/or call schedule.

Lastly, depending on the program director, you may or may not be asked/required to stay on past the June 30th finish date to make up the time you were out.

 

[nkgdds]

It's not a OMFS residency, the call schedule is pretty layed back so I doubt I would be punishing my coresidents.
I'm not buying the committment response. My residency is in a for profit hospital, they work and treat us like dogs, way more hours than other residencies in the state.
Furthermore, they were less than candid about the program when I interviewed. I n any event,
I committed to finishing the program and I will, even if I have to put in extra time to do so. I never signed anything that said I wouldn't become sick or possibly get pregnant.

 

[CranioFacial]

Just some points:
-Good that call is covered.
-I agree you are not coming up short on your commitment.
-Your PD may require you to stay on to complete your calendar months required for a certificate.
Yes, there are unforseen circumstances, but you cannot take that to the bank. Again, I do not claim to know your situation, but I would lean toward being as honest as possible with your PD. Having a child is your family's decision. It is only up to him/her (PD) to be a responsible adult and handle what is presented.
How much more do you lack in residency?
Either way, good luck to you.

 

[setdoc7]

Hi,
I am a PD and here is my take on your story. You do have the right to have a child, and it may be advantageous if your program is providing a medical plan. On the other hand, the program must fulfill the requirements of CODA, and that may state that you must complete a certain number of days/procedures/lectures, etc. If your maternity leave prevents you from completing these requirements, you may not receive a certificate at the end of the program, or you may have to stay past graduation to make up the time. I have had this situation several times, and it is not easy on anyone, but it works out in the end. My suggestion is save up your vacation time, and use it as part of your maternity leave, so as not to have to make up too much time if it comes to that. Good luck.
Your fellow residents may or may not have to take up the slack with you out depending on how the program is run. Also, keep in mind that not every pregnancy is easy and smooth, and you might be out more than you think. Unlike an illness/accident, this is planned.

 

[rarm1]

we currently have a resident out... all the other residents are helping out. Early in the pregnancy she took more on-call and switched with the other residents. Some rotations were changed and she will be taking them in July to finish the program and not effect either this year or the new residents in july.

To me, having a resident finish after June gives me a "senior" resident for a month of so for our 1 year program

As mentioned all residents need to met the requirements for time... save vacation time, switch with your fellow residents, work together.

 

[GoGatorsDMD]

I agree with what Dr. Arm just said. You need to work that much harder than everyone else before you have a kid, otherwise I would expect enmity from your other residents. Be up front about your plans as well.