Starting a family in pre-clinical years?

**peanuts22** · 05-04-2010, 01:42 PM

Hi everyone,

I am a graduate and slightly mature student on the course at present and have lived with my partner for a number of years. We want to start a family while he is in a good position to care for our child until nursery age which is really within the next 3 years.

Having the biomed degree has helped with my studies alot and i know it will be a challenge to juggle the two but I really would like to know anyone in or previously in the same boat!

I would like to know what options for funding are available, and if anyone has had children in the pre-clinical years if in retrospect this was a sensible idea?

I am going to make an appointment with the medical school of course before we try to concieve so I know thier level of support and acceptance of parents at the school.

I know alot of non-parents read these posts and say its mad to have a child during studies and one or both will suffer, but the decision has not been made lightly, i have a range of ppl, particularly my partner than can directly contribute to care and having studied at university for the past 4 years I have a realistic view of the effort required and my achievable goals.

Many of my friends are in foundation or ST years, some of which had children or are considering it in the next year or so, and have said looking back, university was the best time for having a more structured routine, more time, set hours and better access to healthcare and training years are very concentrated.

I would really appreciate thoughts, opinions and experiences on any of this, particularly pregnancy during medical school, and the best time in a medical career to start a family!

Thanks

**Clarkey** · 06-04-2010, 04:17 AM

I would suggest reading "so you want to be a medical mum" by Emma someone...see if a uni library has it or something? A very useful book alongside anecdotal stories from people, it covers most of the questions you've asked.

**peanuts22** · 07-04-2010, 05:43 PM

hey thanks for the suggestion. I had a look in the bookshop, and its got some good stuff about future career propsects with children etc but only a few pages on being a parents whilst in medical school. Purchased it anyway as it looks like it may be handy in the future for my friends currently in training now.

any people out there with thoughts or experiences I would love to hear from you

**yazoo** · 07-04-2010, 09:59 PM

The difference between med school and working as a Dr is, importantly, employment law. Med schools can, unfortunately, be non-supportive and get away with it. While workload and hours are much more predictable, you can't go part-time, and you must attend a minimum amount of the curriculum. This can prove hard (but is very dependent on individual tutors - some will be supportive, some will not). I wouldn't make my decision based on a discussion with the med school, I would work it out for yourself and just get on with it. You don't want to give them a chance to advise against if you really want to try now...

Tagliss (find her on the blog section) has had a baby at med school. You might find her blog helpful.