Pregnancy while doing residency

[sornapriya]

I am a fourth year pharmacy graduate. I am applying for residency. My husband and myself were planning for a baby next year. Can anyone comment on doing pharmacy residency while being pregnant? I know residency involves lot of work. post ur experiences...

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[sakigt]

First off, soapbox, planning is one thing, but it may not happen exactly when you want and you may have trouble. Its ok. Just keep that in mind.

Okay, now that thats over with - Ive met one resident who had a baby ?2PD year and then again during residency. She had a lot of family support (grandmom watched the babies?) and she sacrificed a lot of time away from the babies (onbviously) but she made it work.

I got pregnant during 3PD year and had my son smack dab in the middle of rotations. I scheduled my month off on my due date, and worked double time on the rotation before he was due so that I had the last half of the 4th week off (luckily they were very flexible). I presented on tuesday, did my last day wednesday, had my c-section that friday (not preferred, he was breech). I spent 4 weeks at home with him then began my new rotations. My husband stayed home for 12 weeks (someone needs to stay home for that long.... a 3 month old baby is such a different animal than a 6 weeker). Kid did daycare at 3 months, has been ever since (but I work PT so he only goes a few days a week).

I had several types of rotations and If I had been on my hardest rotation post baby I probably wouldnt have made it. I had challenging rotations, though, and I made it work. Lots of delerious tiredness, lots of finding reliable rooms to pump in, lots of guilt, but youll have that regardless. Youll need a supportive husband, a thick skin, and a lot of naps.

I wouldnt change a thing.

 

[Kenzi11611]

I had my daughter during the fall semester P3 year. Took a week off and was back in class. I honestly don't remember much of the rest of that year and feel like I missed out on enjoying the newborn phase. I think it was blur of sleepless nights and just powering through. APPE rotations were okay though I definitely needed the help from my husband and my mom to get through it. My mom watches our daughter which is a HUGE help.

Now that I'm a PGY-1, my mommy guilt is intense. It's hard to work 60+ hours a week with a toddler (she's 2 now) and days go by where I don't see her at all. I think you could probably manage being pregnant though the PGY-1 year (though you'll likely be even more exhausted...growing a baby is tiring work). If you wanted to do a PGY-2 it might be tough but depends on what kind of support you have and if a program would be flexible on maternity time off.

 

[Sparda29]

Would not recommend it.

 

[All4MyDaughter]

I was pregnant during rotations. That sucked. Then I got pregnant during residency. That also sucked. It can be done but it's not easy by any means.