Pregnant in M2

[bonesandbooboos]

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Hey everyone,

I'm already a nontraditional medical student. 30ish, married, former military, mother to a brilliant 2 year old...

I'm also pregnant with my second child, due in late October.

Yes it was planned. Yes this is a serious post.

I'm looking for some advice, pearls of wisdom, success/motivational stories from anyone who survived having a baby in M2, and how you balanced newborn crazy with STEP prep. I am not at a P/F school, but I'm a strong student with impeccable study habits and never procrastinate, so at least I have that going for me.

Looking forward to getting to know any other successful med school mamas!

 

[BamaNicole]

Congrats!

and I wish I could answer you. I've always wondered when my fiancé and I should try to plan for a child with medical school. We're getting married in december.

 

[bonesandbooboos]

Thank you!

For what its worth, our decision was based a lot on where I hope to be after medical school. I've acknowledged I'm a bit of a trauma junkie, and am interested in either emergency medicine or surgery. Based on many discussions/shadowing with residents and attendings in each field; pregnancy is a terrible idea during internship/residency, and I would be too old - for my personal comfort level - after residency. So it was either now or never for baby #2. There really isn't ever a perfect time.

Thankfully, I chose the best possible husband and have a supportive "village" with excellent daycare options. I'm also at a very supportive school, with excellent faculty and mentors. I worked very hard in M1 to establish strong study skills. So, barring any complications during delivery, this year should be survivable. If you have any other "mommy in med school" types of questions, feel free to PM me. Congratulations on your engagement; good luck!

 

[sholamd]

Congratulations! I was also a med school mama, and it was just fine. No time is the perfect time, and every time is the perfect time. A couple of things to consider:
- plan for additional child care during the intense 6ish weeks of dedicated Step 1 study (without feeling guilty about it!). Borrow extra money if you need to, but give you and your husband a break during this time. Don't plan to "muscle through" or anything crazytalk like that.
- If you plan to still be breastfeeding, request accommodations for pumping on test day - they will give you extra time but you have to request it in advance.
- give yourself cushion for the unexpected: sick baby, sick toddler, or just a couple extra needed days of rest for you! When you make your Step 1 study schedule, plan for 5-7 days of emergency time, if you don't need it you can use it as a bonus. Stress management will be a "high-yield" investment for you in your situation, and will raise your performance.
- remember that you will have an incredible story to tell on the interview trail (should you choose to share it) and the other medical mamas will identify with your struggle and success. Stay positive, your kids are going to be so proud of you.

Best of luck to you and your family!

 

[SoSimplyKari]

Check out MomMD!! Great website and forum with lots of lovely ladies with similar experiences! Congrats!

 

[Ceusina]

MS4 here, mom to a 3.5 year old, interested in surgery.

First, congrats! My son was 8 months old when I started medical school, 2.5 yrs when I was studying for Step 1.

I agree with everything sholamd had to say. Build "emergency" study days into your schedule. Try your best not to feel guilty asking for extra help while you're studying AND when you're not studying. I know that can be tough to do, but it's too hard to spend 100% of your time either studying or taking care of your kids/family. You'll NEED some time to yourself, try not to forget that! Try to spend one hour per day without any distractions. Go for walk, take a nice long shower, waste time on Facebook, etc. Studying for Step 1 is a marathon and if you don't have a little break each day, you'll burn out.

Also, I think it's of utmost importance to get some stretches of uninterrupted sleep. A tired brain doesn't retain material as well! (I'm sure you know this). I know that with a very young child that's next to impossible, but even 5ish hours of uninterrupted sleep will do you a world of good. Make your husband do some evening "shifts" so you can sleep. I failed to do this (primarily because I was breastfeeding and nervous about skipping a feeding, even at 8 months old... totally unnecessary to be that nervous lol) during anatomy, and I truly believe my sleep depravation is to blame for the only C I received in medical school.

I'm sure you already know a lot of what I told you. You've got plenty of experience being a mom and medical student at this point!

Lastly, I'd recommend going into 3rd year with an open mind. Both surgery and emergency medicine have tough life styles (I think shift work in EM is especially tough for moms) and if you can find something else you're interested in with a better lifestyle, do whatever that is! Unfortunately, I only really liked surgery, so that's what I'm applying for, but I wish I liked something else haha.

Congrats again and good luck!

 

[Frazier]

Congrats and pat yourself on the pack for avoiding pregnancy during ms3.