Is It Possible To Have A Baby In Medical School?

Hi! My name is Ellie and I am currently in my fourth year of medical school at King’s College London, balancing being both a mum and a medical student!

Becoming a mum during my fourth year of medical school- best decision I ever made!

“The problem with medicine today is that women get pregnant and have babies and do this part-time malarkey.” Once said a consultant to me in my third year whilst on placement in the cardiology department. Little did he know that I had plans to do just that- have babies, and balance my time between motherhood and medicine. Awkward. Or is it? Looking back, I wish I had had the courage to speak up and tell him my plans! 

Fast-forward a few months and there I was, pregnant. Ecstatic about the 2 pink lines that appeared in front of my eyes! Despite being so happy about the news, I was fearful about how it may be perceived others, especially within the medical school. I didn’t want for people to think I wasn’t committed to becoming a doctor. I vividly remember telling my head of year the news and being met with the kindest, most supportive words of congratulations. I realised then, that those words from the consultant in my third year, were by no means a reflection of the rest of university. From then on, I was flooded with well wishes of support.

After taking a year out to spend with my daughter, I am now in my fourth year of medical school and my daughter is just over a year old. I can honestly say having a baby during my medical degree was the best decision I ever made! After speaking to many women in medicine, ranging from medical students to consultants, they have often been really encouraged by my story. It made me realise that there are so many people out there who don’t feel it is possible to have a baby during medical school, or even during speciality training. Finding the ‘right’ time in medicine with non-stop exams and never-ending training can seem impossible! That’s why I started @medicmumma , to share my story in the hope to reassure others that is it possible to balance starting a family whilst training to be a doctor!