Should I wait until I've finished studying before TTC

[lilyrosepeony]

My Dh and I agreed that we would wait until I am 31/32 until we start trying for a baby. We reasoned that we both will have finished all of the studying that we would need to do to for our careers by then and that it would be too stressful to have a baby whilst we are still studying.

I would just be starting out in this career after studying at 31 (but Dh is already established in his field). My worry is that if I wait until then that it would make it difficult for me starting out fresh in this career with a new baby. That said, jobs in this field are primarily part time so I would have the opportunity to work part time if I wanted to. I suppose I had just always assumed I would have a full year off with my baby but know that I probably need to accept that this won't be possible.

I am just wondering now whether actually it would be better if I were to have the baby earlier at say 29? It is going to be difficult either way... It is probably better to wait but I am broody . The other option is to wait until mid 30s to start trying but I would be worried about my fertility declining. Ideally I would love to have two children but would also be happy with one.
I know there is no perfect time to have a child but it is really difficult to decide when it would be best to start trying. Any thoughts on this? Thank you

It is really hard studying with a baby - speaking from personal experience and seeing my students. You also need to consider your course. If an undergraduate degree then your final year can count for most of the marks. It would be a shame if you had worked hard earlier in the degree but then found in the final year your marks dropped due to baby, fatigue and general nappy brain.

Thanks @shouldwestayorshouldwego it is postgraduate but you're right in that it will be harder towards the end. It's so difficult to decide.

I would definitely get the studying out the way before trying as even with a calm easy baby it would be really tough but you could easily end up with a colicky, non sleeper which honestly could impact massively on you finishing your qualification

Thank you. You don't think it would be too difficult to start out in new a career with a new baby?
My mum keeps telling me not to worry and things will just fall in to place but I'm a worrier and not so sure!

Babies are massively disruptive whenever you have them. If your dh is well established in his career would there be scope for him to go to working a condensed week or taking shared parental leave so you can get back to work sooner? There will never be a good time, however you have to imagine that you are ill throughout the pregnancy and then you have a non- sleepy baby. With studying if you don't make the grade then you won't pass, whereas with a job you will have some protection if you are ill due to pregnancy and proper paid SMP/maternity leave.