family question

[deucerp]

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I know that PD's aren't really "supposed" to discriminate with respect to the family/children situation, with that said...my wife and I are couples matching, we're not having a child yet but have thought that 4th year might not be a bad time. Do you think competitive fields like radiology worry about this or put this as a mark against you? Thanks in advance.

 

[RadGirl]

Not against you, but probably against your wife. Whether or not programs openly discriminate against married women, going to an interview obviously pregnant will be a difficult obstacle for her to overcome.

 

[deucerp]

what about if she has the baby before interviews?

 

[NUgirl]

what about if she has the baby before interviews?

I just had a baby at the beginning of my fourth year (Aug). I went to interviews and I didn't mention it, unless I was specifically asked if I had any kids. I wouldn't volunteer the info if I were her or you. Most places don't ask if you have kids, so I wouldn't worry about it.

Fourth year was probably the BEST time to have a child because it has the most flexibility.

 

[f_w]

I know that PD's aren't really "supposed" to discriminate with respect to the family/children situation, with that said...my wife and I are couples matching, we're not having a child yet but have thought that 4th year might not be a bad time. Do you think competitive fields like radiology worry about this or put this as a mark against you? Thanks in advance.

Most PDs don't ask whether you want kids or whether you are pregnant because it would be illegal to do so.

One thing to consider is that you are restricted from doing fluoroscopy if you are pregnant. At places with only radiology resident on-call, that means you might not be able to take call during pregnancy which would considerably screw up the schedule for everyone else.

So, no I would not mention family plans and if asked about it I would give the usual nondescript answers 'oh, who doesn't think about having children etc.'

 

[conure]

I have been asked "inappropriate" questions on over half of my interviews including family questions. I am male so I can only imagine that it is even worse for women. Beware.

 

[alimarie81]

I just had a baby at the beginning of my fourth year (Aug). I went to interviews and I didn't mention it, unless I was specifically asked if I had any kids. I wouldn't volunteer the info if I were her or you. Most places don't ask if you have kids, so I wouldn't worry about it.

Fourth year was probably the BEST time to have a child because it has the most flexibility.

My husband and I are considering pregnancy during my M4 year (currently I am M3, he is not in medicine) due to medical problems- what months should I expect to interview, and thus try to avoid "showing" ? Oct-Nov-Dec?? Nov-Dec- Jan? Would it be better to have the baby during 4th year, or would it be worse being pregnant during intern year and then having baby PGY-2? Thanks for any input...we are faced with some difficult "timing" decisions. THANKS!!!

 

[RadGirl]

Expect to interview Nov-Dec-Jan. I can't answer your other questions, it would be best to talk to people who have done it and are in the field you're planning on going into. I know that I have a fair number of classmates who have had babies during fourth year, which is great during fourth year, but much less great when you have to leave that baby at home during internship. All said, there aren't many "great" times to have a baby as a doctor, so do what's best for your chances of conceiving.

Also, if you're going into Peds (which I doubt since this is the Rads section), I wouldn't worry too much. A 37 week pregnant girl in my class has been interviewing in Peds and has only positive responses to her pregnancy. They freaking love babies over there.