"I am totally dedicated to getting into your medical school and believe I would make an excellent doctor. However, I'd like to have a baby sometime during those four years, take some time-off, breastfeed for as long as possible, and be an involved parent. When would be the best time to do that?", says Kate to her medical school interviewer.

Can you imagine actually asking this in any interview, let alone one for medical school? But for many MomMD members this question at the top of their 'cannot-be-asked' list.

There seems to be no 'perfect' time to have a baby during medical school, yet there are many women having planned or surprise babies during medical school, and it is something that can be done.

"It is definitely possible to have a child during medical school. I had a baby during my 4th year, and took the year after my graduation off before starting residency. However, I know several people who have taken breaks mostly at the end of 2nd year. This is kind of a natural break point, because at most medical schools the first 2 years are spent in the classroom, and the second 2 years are spent doing clinical rotations. There are also some cushy research jobs that can allow you a great deal of flexibility if you look around," says one MomMD member.

But why on earth would anyone choose to have a baby during challenging medical school years? There are many reasons, including for some older non-traditional students, a "booming biological clock", says one 33 year old first year student.

Emma says, "I had my (now) 4 wk old son during the middle of my third yr of medical school. I am now 33 and could not wait to finish med school or residency to reproduce."

Joan's pregnancy was a surprise, "I am 30, starting med school in August and found out this week I'm pregnant. (due in the middle of December.) I really don't want to put off school any longer. Assuming an uncomplicated pregnancy, I am thinking that I will deliver and have a few weeks for Christmas break before I start school again in January. "

But is a student like Joan being realistic, how can she manage?

"From my experience I think doing first year medicine is doable with a newborn - however - my daughter was born before we started and I was able to take a lot of time away from classes. I think you need to prepare yourself that it will be difficult - especially because for the first few weeks all I wanted to do was lie around and look at the baby," suggests one member.

K, tells us about her twins!

"I am a 2nd year med student, and just had twins in January. I was put on bed rest for 10 wks (preterm labor), and so didn't get to finish the Fall quarter as I had planned. I am taking time off from school now, and will return next Sept (joining this year's 1st year students). I can't imagine doing school right now, but then I have twins and have to get up twice as much as a singleton mom. My brain is fried from sleep deprivation. My husband says this is good practice for when I am an intern. A 2nd yr classmate of mine had a baby in Dec - her husband quit work for a year to stay home with the baby. It is definitely doable (being a med student and mom) but it is so much harder than just being a student. I am particularly worried about studying for the boards and finishing 2nd year when the twins are 1 yr old. It's a lot to do. I have heard many people say that early in 4th yr is the best time to have a baby. But then your baby is pretty young when you start internship. It's probably tough no matter how you do it."

Another member, Angela, shares her experience, "I am just about to begin my third year of medical school, and I have an almost 10 month old son. My intention was to wait until 4th year to have a baby, but my husband and I revised our plans! Anyway, I was pregnant from December of first year on, and had my son 2 1/2 weeks into my second year. I went back and took my first exam of second year when he was 10 days old. My son is still breastfed to this day ... needless to say, I did a lot of pumping at school. In all, it was rough, but doable ... as long as you have a good support system and don't always need complete quiet to study!"

The MomMD family friendly medical school survey discovered that some schools do offer the option of extending the first or last two years of medical school. It is often something that is not widely publicized, but available to students on a case-by-case basis. In some cases, some (although a few) schools offer students quite considerable support.

"In terms of making accommodations, my school went all out for me. I was hoping to finish Fall quarter of my 2nd year and had already completed midterms when I was put on bedrest (unexpectedly, of course!) I was still allowed to complete 3 of my 5 classes from bed. The Student Affairs office staff brought my final exams to my house, and proctored them for me - while I laid in bed. The Histology professor even came to my house, with slide projector, and projected the final exam slides on my bedroom wall! I also used my microscope lying in bed. I cannot believe the extent of helpfulness and supportiveness I got from my professors and the Dean," says K.

Emma, also found her school was surprisingly helpful. "My situation is a bit unusual because I am an MD/PhD student. I was hoping I could have gotten pregnant and delivered in my fourth year of med school but not so... Because my research years count toward a 4th year in med school, I am not officially required to do a 4th year. I ended up having to split my third year in two with a maternity leave. I have already completed internal medicine, neuro, and family practice. Following my preggy leave, I'll have to finish surgery and ped/ob (save the hardest for last). Anyway, I did find the school administration very supportive (our dean of the students is female and she has a son). The attending and residents were also very supportive with sending me home early when we were on call, not letting me take on too many patients, and avoiding climbing stairs for me in my last trimester. (In fact, one of the residents I worked with was also 7 months pregnant at the time that we worked together). So, although having a baby in your third year of med school is harder, it is doable. The other women in my school who had babies did it during the first, second, or fourth year."

The above experiences may paint rather a rosy picture of having a baby during medical school. There are other MomMD members who experienced pressure from other students to have an abortion or leave medical school altogether. Many pregnant medical students may feel isolated and unable to discuss the situation with others. It is also worth mentioning that less than 20 of the over 190 U.S. medical schools bothered to reply to the family friendly medical school survey, thus indicating their attitude to combining parenting and medical school.

However, with more women having a medical career and more non-traditional applicants the number of medical school moms may rise. Sharing experiences and advice with other women can be invaluable, and in some instances a sole source of trusted support. MomMD is the only resource where women at all stages of their medical career can openly discuss the challenges of having a family.

One member tells MomMD, that "the advice from the mothers at this web site has been wonderfully uplifting and a real testament to the strength of mothers". Support from family, friends and the medical school is key to balancing both medical school and young children. Good luck!

* All names have been changed to protect identity. This article was based on discussions in one of the medical school forums.