My wife is having contractions!!!

My exam is in 5 days. Yesterday, I got a 15 point boost in the NBME form 14. I was planning on taking the Free 120 tomorrow and Ambos HY ethics and QI 2 days before the test.

Wife is 38 weeks pregnant with our first. We carefully scheduled this exam for the day before she turned 39w, but it seems like baby doesn’t wanna wait. She just woke up to painful contractions every 3-5 minutes that last less than a minute. She also has diarrhea with every other contraction; she went out to lunch yesterday with my brother so I’m just hoping (or coping) that the food isn’t sitting right and that’s what’s causing the contractions…

But, most likely than not, baby might come very soon. Wife might give birth right before test day, or worse, that same day. What should I do? If I postpone it, will I be able to study with a newborn? If I keep the date, will I be able to concentrate on the actual test, knowing that my baby just came (or is coming) and I’m not there for him or my wife? What if this is my time to take it, and postponing will cause me to get a lower score, or miss the window to apply later this year?

I’m scared out of my mind. My wife is beside me having a contraction and I’m here thinking about this stupid, career defining exam that has put my whole life on hold. She’s being very supportive and telling me to do what I have to do. My brother is also supportive and is willing to help.

What’s my best next step?

UPDATE - 07/30/2024 - 4 days after

Baby girl came Sunday morning. Wife sent me home to sleep that night after 48h of non-stop action.

Monday I came back to the hospital to sleep with mom and baby, listened to Divine all day/night. Got little to no sleep.

Today, Tuesday, I just said goodbye to my babe and ninja warrior fighter of a wife. Omw home to do some ethics/Qi/vaccine qs and go to sleep early.

EXAM TOMORROW. Everyone is happy. I might drop 10-15 points from my estimated score but in exchange I get to give my baby and family my full undivided attention, which in the end, that is what remains.

Thanks y’all, and good luck to all of us.

UPDATE - 08/14/24 - Wednesday is here!

I am beyond happy. I’m glad I didn’t postpone it. My baby’s growing and developing well, my wife became a supermom, and I spend every waking second with both of them.

If anyone’s interested, below are my scores.

NBME 13 (1 month prior): 223

NBME 12 (15 days): 225

UWSA 2 (10 days): 251

NBME 14 (7 days): 242

birth of my baby girl (4 days prior)

actual score 248!!!

God is good!!!