To TTC as a mature healthcare student?

[W1ll0wR0s3]

Currently in my 2nd year. DH and I originally planned to start trying in my 3rd year. The aim was to start trying such that I'd spend most of my pregnancy (if we conceived quickly) once I'd finished clinical placements and mostly home learning - or on campus, covid dependent. However, because of covid, the university have moved placements around such that I'd now be starting placement around the time we had planned to conceive. If we conceived quickly, I'd still have 5 months of clinical placement left.

AIBU to go ahead with TTC? Everyone always says this course I'm on is tough and yes it is but then so is full time work! I think as an older student I haven't found it anywhere near as tough as younger students who don't have the experience of full time work.

Is this just a mad idea?

I work with students doing a range of courses, including mature students on HCP courses, usually (but not always) nursing or midwifery. IME about 50% of the students who fall pregnant are able to carry on largely as usual through their pregnancy, 50% decide to take some time out to concentrate on their families. We are very happy to let students finish placements / exams etc in the following year if necessary. It's really hard to be pregnant and on placement, but it depends on how difficult or not a pregnancy it is and how difficult or not a placement it is. It's hard to make plans when there are so many unknowns. You might get a better placement if you are pregnant before it starts, eg one that involved a shorter commute. Several students a year graduate having been pregnant during their course, so it's definitely possible, it's just harder.

@Virginvodkaandcoke

I work with students doing a range of courses, including mature students on HCP courses, usually (but not always) nursing or midwifery. IME about 50% of the students who fall pregnant are able to carry on largely as usual through their pregnancy, 50% decide to take some time out to concentrate on their families. We are very happy to let students finish placements / exams etc in the following year if necessary. It's really hard to be pregnant and on placement, but it depends on how difficult or not a pregnancy it is and how difficult or not a placement it is. It's hard to make plans when there are so many unknowns. You might get a better placement if you are pregnant before it starts, eg one that involved a shorter commute. Several students a year graduate having been pregnant during their course, so it's definitely possible, it's just harder.

Thanks for sharing your experience, that's really helpful. In theory I'll find out my placement locations before TTC so would have a better idea of how it's going to be.

You also have zero idea how your pregnancy will be. I was on crutches from 28 weeks and if I hadn’t learned to drive in very early pregnancy I’d not have been able to work.

Second pregnancy I was on crutches earlier and had severe hypertension which meant quite a lot of rest. Tricky with a part time job and school-aged younger child - no way I’d have managed a placement.

I got pregnant by accident during my nurses training as a single mum, had the baby and went back 6 weeks after the birth to a ten night stretch!!
I joined the year below as i'd missed quite a lot. I wouldn't recommend it. This was the 1980's though.

Sorry meant to write 1 or 2 months before placement ends. For me all hell broke loose when I entered week 5 and was in and out of hospital until week 16, but I had hyperemesis.

Honestly, for the sake of 5 months I’d wait till all placements were done. I guess it also depends what HCP you are- for example, a pharmacist or dietician is less physically demanding than a physio. Our hospital wouldn’t let you work with patients once you hit 28 weeks due to covid, which could be something to keep in mind.

My uni aren’t sending ANY pregnant students out into clinical placement right now. My friend found out she was pregnant a month ago and she’s been pulled out of the all the placements for the rest of the year (we are third years). She can do the theory and will make up the hours once she’s given birth. Not sure if that’s the same for all Uni’s though

@TayceIsAyce

My uni aren’t sending ANY pregnant students out into clinical placement right now. My friend found out she was pregnant a month ago and she’s been pulled out of the all the placements for the rest of the year (we are third years). She can do the theory and will make up the hours once she’s given birth. Not sure if that’s the same for all Uni’s though

That's interesting. Have they given a reason why? NHS guidance is currently that staff can be patient facing until 28 weeks.

Thanks @Thistles24. Not physically demanding, most of my day is spent sat down but obviously still a high workload with portfolio and things.

Some of your pregnancies sound rough going. Thank you for sharing your experiences