PhD and planning to TTC?

[SarahH12]

I've posted a few times about starting a PhD in a few weeks. One of the things influencing us the most with my decision is our desire to start a family - well technically extend our family as we have DSD (5). We really don't want to wait another 4 years but I am no stranger to the world of academia and so know how much of a slog it can be even without DC. Has anyone got pregnant / had DC whilst doing a PhD? Can you go part time at all? DP is in a professional job with reasonably long hours (and significantly more pay than me) and so if we had DC it'd either mean me going part time or us putting them full time in nursery. If others have been in a similar situation I'd really love to hear your experiences.

[user1490285009]

I got pregnant in my 4th year while writing up. I would strongly advice against it. All that sitting meant I got little exercise/walking in. Baby was breech and I ended up having a c-section. Constant state of stress-can't have been good for baby though she seems fine now. I could never really enjoy the process of pregnancy either ( ftm-might not be the same for you) I always felt guilty I was neglecting taking care of myself for baby, then when I did anything except writing felt bad about not working. First trimester fatigue and nausea also didn't help. It was just a rough time in general. Supervisor was ok about it ...I think. I mean what can anyone say except congratulations.

It might be marginally better to conceive at the beginning of the course.

[Ofcourseineedmorewine]

I haven’t been in a similar situation. I’m currently finishing up my masters and hoping to go on to a PhD after. But from my research I do know that yes you can do it part time. Also, I found some PhD fares that you can go to if you are thinking of doing one and need advice. They do one at the university of Sheffield which I know of because it’s fairly close to me but if you google it I’m sure there will be others

[Herewegoagain01]

I’m about to go into my 3rd year (pt) and have an 11 month old. It’s tough, I’ve not really got anything done the last year. Luckily being in social sciences I don’t need to be in a lab or anything like that. Hoping to catch up over the next couple of years. It’s definitely do-able if you are in the right subject, with a supportive supervisor (mine is lovely). Wouldn’t even consider full time tbh. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[EffRam]

I'm in my 2nd year and due in October when I'll be 18 months in (I started in February 2017). It's worked out quite good timing for me really - I will have my upgrade out of the way, and hoping to have done quite a whack of data collection by then, and can wrap it up before I have a few months off, then return to begin analysis. My studentship includes 4 months full bursary for mat leave on top of my 3 years.

I know there is a possibility of going part time but unsure how that would work with my bursary as it was originally awarded as full time only. It seems in general to be more flexible once you've started though! Having said that, I should maybe report back on the other side as to what the return is like...!

[surreygirl1987]

I'm doing a part time PhD at the moment - just finished my second year of it, alongaide a full time job as a teacher. Currently 32 weeks pregnant. Don't know how I'll find being a new mum and studying - might have to leave the studying for a month or two... But am going to give it a damn good go!! At least I won't have to.go back to work for a year anyway...