Just want to know if anyone has gone through medical school and had a baby. My husband wants to have a child, but I’ve not been happy with the idea since I am planning to go to medical school next year. I love children, but I don’t want to be neglectful towards my own child and want to focus on school. How difficult will it be to attend med school and take care of a kid at the same time?
Well, if there is a medical school that offers courses online, make sure that you do not go see the doctor who graduated from that university. LOL!!!
Comments
You could always take courses online until the baby is old enough to be put in daycare or babysat.
people are not the same,you might cope or not.I would advice you that you must have your baby first & then go to med school.What will happen when your baby is not well & you have to leave her/him to go write your exams…..?
If you can handle it then go fo it part time…Good luck.
Hi there,
Having a baby is never an easy decision. Unfortunately, medical school presents one of the most rigorous educational experiences around. Most med students can attest they have little time for Anything (eating, sleeping, relationships, fun). My cousin would think this question was some kind of joke, given his experience in med school.
However, if you want to have a baby, you need be acquainted with the realities of combining child rearing with medical school. Here are a few:
- Babies are expensive. Since medical school is already ridiculously expensive (many students leave school with over 200,000 dollar in loans).
- Since, it’s impossible to work, have a child, and attend medical school, so you’re faced with a question: who will watch the baby while you attend classes? Is your husband/boyfriend have the ability to take off work daily? If he works, does he earn enough to provide for the baby and support some kind of child care during the day. Realize this expense can exceed $30/day at many facilities.
- A medical school student has less time for daily activities than do other graduate school students, regular workers, or just about anyone. Full time mothers find the schedules required by new baby doctor visits, motherly needs (pumping often), shopping for diapers, supplies, and toys, and generally caring for the baby nearly impossible to manage. These are people who spend their entire day managing a child - and you will only have a fraction of that time.
- Relationships of any magnitude (good, great, bad, it doesn’t matter) are stressed beyond the limit in medical school. The student is required to focus inordinate amounts of energy on their work, to the exclusion of anything and anyone else. Tangentially, the first year of a new child places an immense strain on any relationship. Again, it doesn’t matter how great a couple you are - the baby is going to test every facet of your existence. Combining both these stresses is almost certain to push your relationship beyond any recoverable limit.
These are only a few of the risks. Fortunately, a baby is a wonderful and amazing gift. However, an intelligent and caring mother is one who waits until they are financially, emotionally, and socially prepared to care for a child.
Finally, having a child is ultimately a joint decision. Remember, its your baby in your belly for 9 months. Do you want a baby right now? Its a commitment that will last at least 18 years (and up to 24 years if the child goes to college). Are you ready?
Good luck,
John
