Vet School While Pregnant

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Meow2124

Meow2124

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I was just offered admission from the waitlist today for a seat in the 2023 class but I also just found out I’m pregnant about 2 weeks ago. Wondering if anyone can offer some helpful advice on how doable vet school first year while pregnant would be? Or how the deferment process goes if that is an option?
 
Also this thread on the veterinary side:
forums.studentdoctor.net

anyone have a baby while in vet school?

Hi everyone, I'm not a vet student yet but I have questions about a situation that will affect me when I am. I was wondering if anyone on this board has been pregnant while in vet school, or known someone who has? If so, which year did you (they) get pregnant and what were your experiences...
forums.studentdoctor.net forums.studentdoctor.net
 
StayingPositive2017 said:
Hi, I had a 6 month old at the start of first year. When are you due?
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January 2020 - so right in the middle of first year. Also I would be on my own until that time since my partner isn’t able to come with me until later in the year.
 
Meow2124 said:
January 2020 - so right in the middle of first year. Also I would be on my own until that time since my partner isn’t able to come with me until later in the year.
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I would probably say defer as that first couple of months is so hard and different and sleep deprived, you can't even imagine. Being pregnant in school would be totally doable it's the feedings every 2-3 hours at the beginning that are tough. My baby was born Feb 7, it was hard but definitely doable starting that august. Props to all the single Mama's cuz it's just myself and my partner, no family and that is difficult
 
StayingPositive2017 said:
I would probably say defer as that first couple of months is so hard and different and sleep deprived, you can't even imagine. Being pregnant in school would be totally doable it's the feedings every 2-3 hours at the beginning that are tough. My baby was born Feb 7, it was hard but definitely doable starting that august. Props to all the single Mama's cuz it's just myself and my partner, no family and that is difficult
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Thank you so much for the insight. I’m planning on talking to the school and finding out what the deferment options would look like.
 
Meow2124 said:
January 2020 - so right in the middle of first year. Also I would be on my own until that time since my partner isn’t able to come with me until later in the year.
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One of my classmates had a baby like right after the first set of exams first semester. Just wanted to let you know it is doable. Good luck!
 
Meow2124 said:
I was just offered admission from the waitlist today for a seat in the 2023 class but I also just found out I’m pregnant about 2 weeks ago. Wondering if anyone can offer some helpful advice on how doable vet school first year while pregnant would be? Or how the deferment process goes if that is an option?
Click to expand...

Congratulations on your admission AND your pregnancy! What an exciting time! 🙂

If you are going to be on your own during your first year I would recommend you defer for a year, if possible. I started vet school with an 11-month old and am now finishing up my second year. It's doable, but you need help. The days at vet school are often long and unpredictable, and even with your child in daycare you often need someone else to manage pick-up and drop-off. I'm happy to talk more about parenting while in vet school if you like - just PM me. It takes more work and careful planning, but you can do it!
 
Lucy410 said:
Congratulations on your admission AND your pregnancy! What an exciting time! 🙂

If you are going to be on your own during your first year I would recommend you defer for a year, if possible. I started vet school with an 11-month old and am now finishing up my second year. It's doable, but you need help. The days at vet school are often long and unpredictable, and even with your child in daycare you often need someone else to manage pick-up and drop-off. I'm happy to talk more about parenting while in vet school if you like - just PM me. It takes more work and careful planning, but you can do it!
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Yes, this. Definitely will depend on where you can find daycare too! Ours is 30 minutes away from school because everything near school or home was full except for one that was just way way way outside our budget (and it wasn't even the nice one!!). This means on days I pick her up I lose about an hour of study time I usually would have
 
Congratulations on both your pregnancy and your vet school admission!!! Hoping you’ll be able to work everything out and defer if you determine that’s the best plan. If you don’t mind answering, what school did you get the call from? I’m just curious where you’ll be joining for c/o 23 or 24 if you don’t mind sharing!
 
Lucy410 said:
Congratulations on your admission AND your pregnancy! What an exciting time! 🙂

If you are going to be on your own during your first year I would recommend you defer for a year, if possible. I started vet school with an 11-month old and am now finishing up my second year. It's doable, but you need help. The days at vet school are often long and unpredictable, and even with your child in daycare you often need someone else to manage pick-up and drop-off. I'm happy to talk more about parenting while in vet school if you like - just PM me. It takes more work and careful planning, but you can do it!
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Yes I am definitely trying to take all the different factors into account here. I really appreciate your help, thank you very much.
 
SkiOtter said:
Congratulations on both your pregnancy and your vet school admission!!! Hoping you’ll be able to work everything out and defer if you determine that’s the best plan. If you don’t mind answering, what school did you get the call from? I’m just curious where you’ll be joining for c/o 23 or 24 if you don’t mind sharing!
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University of Illinois 🙂
 
SkiOtter said:
Welcome!!! Well I do know ASA is very nice here so hopefully they’ll let you defer if that’s what you decide is best for you or be able to work something else out!!
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Thank you!!!
 
Meow2124 said:
University of Illinois 🙂
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Class of 2021 here, and two women were pregnant in our class this year. One girl gave birth to her first child the day of our lab exam during second quarter. Illinois tries to be as accommodating as possible from what they've said.
 
There’s really no convenient time to have a baby, and many a students have made it happen! Better first year than fourth year 🙂

But if you’re in a situation where the baby is due in Jan at the start of the second semester and you are going to be without any help for the baby, asking for a 1 year deferral may be a good idea. If you have to take off weeks AND have no help with a baby at the start of second semester such that you are likely to need to take a leave of absence and join the next year’s class, it would be easier just to start a year later.
 
First, congrats. You will hear over and over again that there is no best time to have children, which is even more so true for women who want a family in vet med.

From the prospective of is it possible to mesh the difficulties of first year classes and being pregnant, absolutely it is doable. In our experience (at a school other than Illinois), the school will probably bend over backwards to help make things work. For first year, you will have to use a respirator in anatomy lab. Overall, things will be much easier if you find school and studying to be easier.

If you can tough through the pregnancy, may be better to take a leave of absence after your first semester since the first few weeks are critical for bonding and if breastfeeding.

Also, having a solid support group (hopefully dedicated spouse/significant other) + friends, possibly family is going to be very helpful.

Many of us have lived through this! Please PM if you need any help or more specific questions answered.
 
Minnerbelle said:
There’s really no convenient time to have a baby, and many a students have made it happen! Better first year than fourth year 🙂

But if you’re in a situation where the baby is due in Jan at the start of the second semester and you are going to be without any help for the baby, asking for a 1 year deferral may be a good idea. If you have to take off weeks AND have no help with a baby at the start of second semester such that you are likely to need to take a leave of absence and join the next year’s class, it would be easier just to start a year later.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the advice. I have reached out to them about the possibility of deferring a year.
 
Meow2124 said:
I just wanted to thank everyone who posted on here for your helpful advice and let you know I decided to defer for one year! So will be starting veterinary school next fall 🙂
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Congratulations! Wish you the best luck with your pregnancy. How did you negotiate with the school? Were they okay about it?
 
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