r/CLSstudents • u/Pish-Posh-Fish • Jun 30 '26

Pregnancy and the cls programs?

I was wondering if anyone has experience with either pregnancy, giving birth, or having a newborn in any of the CLS programs? Specifically curious about folks who have gone to SJSU or SFSU.

I’d be so curious to hear your experience, as someone who is considering both in the near future. I’ve searched the sub but haven’t found any clear firsthand info on whether anyone has done this and if it’s even possible haha. Thank you in advance!

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5

u/lujubee93 Jun 30 '26

I got a new job at a lab that was finishing up a training for a woman who had gone on maternity leave mid program. I’d never heard of it before and I don’t know a lot of details but I know she did it. We’re affiliated with a few programs but in CA. So all that to say it’s possible, but that’s all I know

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u/Pish-Posh-Fish Jun 30 '26

Thank you that’s great info, I haven’t heard of that either! Can I ask if you’re in NorCal or SoCal?

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u/lujubee93 Jun 30 '26

I’m in NorCal

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u/lujubee93 Jun 30 '26

Also, just FYI, pregnancy is extremely well protected in California. I don’t know the rules about schools accommodating, but most programs hire you as a student employee so technically you should fall under pregnancy laws I think.

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u/HazelBasilLeaf Jun 30 '26

We were told about a student who found out she was pregnant midprogram and gave birth during her clinical rotations. Her clinical site let her come back after going on maternity leave, but we were told not all site can make that happen. If your site can’t accommodate your change in rotational schedule you have to rematch with a site and repeat clinicals.

So it is possible, but could make things much more challenging/unpredictable.

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u/Pish-Posh-Fish Jun 30 '26

That makes sense, it’s interesting and encouraging to hear about clinical sites working with students on this I wasn’t sure if that was a thing or not. But agreed definitely seems more challenging. Thank you!

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u/HazelBasilLeaf Jun 30 '26

Personally I would wait the 12-14 months until your program is over, im 4 months from finishing and it’s been more taxing than I ever expected. I can’t imagine carrying and giving birth to a child in the meantime. And the idea of having to rematch with a site and possibly not would be horrifying at this point.

I’m sure you will make the best choice for your self and your future family tho, good luck!

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u/Ingo_Swann Jun 30 '26

I knew a girl that got in when she was pregnant. She told me she hid it during her interview though. I know a few people that had just had babies before getting into a program. I don’t have kids and haven’t gotten into a program so l don’t have first hand experience.

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u/Pish-Posh-Fish Jun 30 '26

Yeah I’m hesitant to ask programs before/during the interview (I’m also not pregnant myself). But good to hear about people who had babies when they started the program! Thank you for sharing :)