Graduate entry - When to have kids?
I'm hoping for a few views from any "more experienced" graduate entries.
I've been pondering about graduate entry medicine for sometime. I'm 27, studied Biology for my first degree. There were quite a few factors putting me off applying, but have finally decided that I'm going to apply this year.
Obviously I'm making the huge assumption that I'll get in - but one of the main factors that put me off was that I will be a student, with virtually no income between 29 and 33 (if I get on a 4year course) then a junior doctor from 33 to 35.
But 29-35 are the exact years when I want to be having children. I don't even have a partner I want to have children with (!) - but at the moment I feel like I'm having to choose between the dream of being a doctor and the chance to have kids.
Has anyone done/is doing a medicine course and caring for kids?
If I got pregnant during the course and gave birth in the middle of exam week would uni's give me a break or is that my tough luck??
I'm just wondering if it really is either/or. I'm hoping for "anything is possible if you work hard enough"....
I've been pondering about graduate entry medicine for sometime. I'm 27, studied Biology for my first degree. There were quite a few factors putting me off applying, but have finally decided that I'm going to apply this year.
Obviously I'm making the huge assumption that I'll get in - but one of the main factors that put me off was that I will be a student, with virtually no income between 29 and 33 (if I get on a 4year course) then a junior doctor from 33 to 35.
But 29-35 are the exact years when I want to be having children. I don't even have a partner I want to have children with (!) - but at the moment I feel like I'm having to choose between the dream of being a doctor and the chance to have kids.
Has anyone done/is doing a medicine course and caring for kids?
If I got pregnant during the course and gave birth in the middle of exam week would uni's give me a break or is that my tough luck??
I'm just wondering if it really is either/or. I'm hoping for "anything is possible if you work hard enough"....
Reply 1
10
Original post
by CattreeI'm hoping for a few views from any "more experienced" graduate entries.
I've been pondering about graduate entry medicine for sometime. I'm 27, studied Biology for my first degree. There were quite a few factors putting me off applying, but have finally decided that I'm going to apply this year.
Obviously I'm making the huge assumption that I'll get in - but one of the main factors that put me off was that I will be a student, with virtually no income between 29 and 33 (if I get on a 4year course) then a junior doctor from 33 to 35.
But 29-35 are the exact years when I want to be having children. I don't even have a partner I want to have children with (!) - but at the moment I feel like I'm having to choose between the dream of being a doctor and the chance to have kids.
Has anyone done/is doing a medicine course and caring for kids?
If I got pregnant during the course and gave birth in the middle of exam week would uni's give me a break or is that my tough luck??
I'm just wondering if it really is either/or. I'm hoping for "anything is possible if you work hard enough"....
I've been pondering about graduate entry medicine for sometime. I'm 27, studied Biology for my first degree. There were quite a few factors putting me off applying, but have finally decided that I'm going to apply this year.
Obviously I'm making the huge assumption that I'll get in - but one of the main factors that put me off was that I will be a student, with virtually no income between 29 and 33 (if I get on a 4year course) then a junior doctor from 33 to 35.
But 29-35 are the exact years when I want to be having children. I don't even have a partner I want to have children with (!) - but at the moment I feel like I'm having to choose between the dream of being a doctor and the chance to have kids.
Has anyone done/is doing a medicine course and caring for kids?
If I got pregnant during the course and gave birth in the middle of exam week would uni's give me a break or is that my tough luck??
I'm just wondering if it really is either/or. I'm hoping for "anything is possible if you work hard enough"....
YOU CAN do both
Reply 2
gdluck
Reply 3
There's a woman on my course who was pregnant for most of this year (2nd year of 5 year MBBS) but still turned up to lectures and was quite motivated from what I can tell. It's probably tough obviously but like anything else in life, with a bit of motivation it's do-able.
Wrt labour during exam week it's most likely the same as any other extenuating circumstance and you'll probably be given a second chance in the summer without your grade being capped but if you fail that one you'd be asked to resit the whole year.
Good luck
EDIT: it might also be worth mentioning that there are a lot of medical students out there with chronic medical conditions which affect their studies. Obviously it's not the same but a 9 month pregnancy wouldn't be too farfetched considering..
Wrt labour during exam week it's most likely the same as any other extenuating circumstance and you'll probably be given a second chance in the summer without your grade being capped but if you fail that one you'd be asked to resit the whole year.
Good luck
EDIT: it might also be worth mentioning that there are a lot of medical students out there with chronic medical conditions which affect their studies. Obviously it's not the same but a 9 month pregnancy wouldn't be too farfetched considering..
Reply 4
My tuppence worth...
You should not try and timetable having kids into your life... life just doesn't work that way for the most part. You said yourself you haven't even got a partner and tbh, is anyone 100% sure that they can actually have kids until they are pregnant?
You need to live for now and not for possibles in the future. You never know what is around the corner.
I fell pregnant during my MRes (aged 41). I never expected to meet my partner and definitely didn't think I would be pregnant over aged 40. I worked right up until 5 weeks before giving birth then took voluntary suspension. This lasted 21 months as my son did not sleep through the night and woke around 6-8 times per night. I was just too knackered to go back to uni.
My point is that I intended to be back at uni within 6 months but it just didn't work out that way. Anyway, I am just about to finish and I start med school in September.
I would say go with your dream and apply and take life as it comes.
Good luck.
You should not try and timetable having kids into your life... life just doesn't work that way for the most part. You said yourself you haven't even got a partner and tbh, is anyone 100% sure that they can actually have kids until they are pregnant?
You need to live for now and not for possibles in the future. You never know what is around the corner.
I fell pregnant during my MRes (aged 41). I never expected to meet my partner and definitely didn't think I would be pregnant over aged 40. I worked right up until 5 weeks before giving birth then took voluntary suspension. This lasted 21 months as my son did not sleep through the night and woke around 6-8 times per night. I was just too knackered to go back to uni.
My point is that I intended to be back at uni within 6 months but it just didn't work out that way. Anyway, I am just about to finish and I start med school in September.
I would say go with your dream and apply and take life as it comes.
Good luck.
(edited 14 years ago)
Reply 5
Original post
by sweetchilliMy tuppence worth...
You should not try and timetable having kids into your life... life just doesn't work that way for the most part. You said yourself you haven't even got a partner and tbh, is anyone 100% sure that they can actually have kids until they are pregnant?
You need to live for now and not for possibles in the future. You never know what is around the corner.
I fell pregnant during my MRes (aged 41). I never expected to meet my partner and definitely didn't think I would be pregnant over aged 40. I worked right up until 5 weeks before giving birth then took voluntary suspension. This lasted 21 months as my son did not sleep through the night and woke around 6-8 times per night. I was just too knackered to go back to uni.
My point is that I intended to be back at uni within 6 months but it just didn't work out that way. Anyway, I am just about to finish and I start med school in September.
I would say go with your dream and apply and take life as it comes.
Good luck.
You should not try and timetable having kids into your life... life just doesn't work that way for the most part. You said yourself you haven't even got a partner and tbh, is anyone 100% sure that they can actually have kids until they are pregnant?
You need to live for now and not for possibles in the future. You never know what is around the corner.
I fell pregnant during my MRes (aged 41). I never expected to meet my partner and definitely didn't think I would be pregnant over aged 40. I worked right up until 5 weeks before giving birth then took voluntary suspension. This lasted 21 months as my son did not sleep through the night and woke around 6-8 times per night. I was just too knackered to go back to uni.
My point is that I intended to be back at uni within 6 months but it just didn't work out that way. Anyway, I am just about to finish and I start med school in September.
I would say go with your dream and apply and take life as it comes.
Good luck.
Heck, six months ago i thought i was going to die, and i'm 17, was 16
i'm ok ish now, hopefully nothign wrong i hope...(hope i didn't jinx myself)
life's short mate. don't assume you live forever, but also, don't assume the younger have more time ect
do what your heart tells you. It's perfectly feasale if you make a proper plan
... but i am no expert
Reply 6
20
I didn't go to a grad entry medical school but there were a fair number of graduates in my year doing the 5 year course. I know four people who started medical school in their late 20's and have had/are going to have children so it is definitely possible. One had her daughter at the end of second year and then took a year out before starting third year. One had her child over the easter break in third year and then some how came back two weeks later and continued the course. One girl that I work with has just gone on maternity leave having got pregnant during FY1 and is taking a year out then coming back for FY2 and one of my friends is due in November and is just about to finish FY2 and has a GP training post.
I think that the advice that was given earlier that you can't plan these things exactly is good. Whenever you find yourself in a situation where you want to have a baby/are pregnant you will be able to make it work. Most work places/unis are relatively accommodating.
I think that the advice that was given earlier that you can't plan these things exactly is good. Whenever you find yourself in a situation where you want to have a baby/are pregnant you will be able to make it work. Most work places/unis are relatively accommodating.
Reply 7
Cattree
OP
Thank you for all your comments. It's good to hear other people have managed kids and uni, and I agree with taking life as it comes - I have a tendency to over-plan!. Feel much better about it now. Thanks! 
Reply 8
I think it depends totally on personal circumstances, especially circumstances that you may not feel comfortable posting about on a forum.
I know it's something I've been told I must consider.
I know it's something I've been told I must consider.
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