How bad is this in reality? New PhD student query

[AnxiousFish]

Hello,

I was wondering if any experienced PhD supervisors would be willing to give me a view on a problem before I approach it with my own.

Social science subject, started PhD THIS MONTH - so, brand new, literally just out of the gate and working on research plan for submission at the end of this term. Full time student.

I have just, in the last few days, found out I am pregnant. Without going into endless detail, I have had a very complex fertility journey with multiple complications and recurrent pregnancy loss. I applied (and started) this PhD after making peace with the fact that that journey had come to an end and that I wouldn't have any more children (I have one, school aged). This pregnancy is unplanned and very much a surprise, but also very wanted.

Ultimately, this would mean a break in studies after only 8 months. Not ideal.

Firstly, is this likely to cause major issues with how I am perceived? I am not funded by the institution and I have existing relationships, including with my supervisors, as I completed my MSc with them last year (I also have some credit having won the award for best overall student in my cohort that year). They know I am dedicated and able, but won't see this coming.

Further, would I be wise to tell them now, even though it is very early, in order to be transparent and aid planning? I am leaning this way, but there is also still a good chance this pregnancy won't have a happy ending for us.

Any advice from supervisors with experience greatly received. Thank you!

congratulations!
At the university I work at students can take intermission (leave of absence) from studies for maternity leave, and your PhD submission date should be extended to account for the time away. If you google the name of your university, student and maternity leave there will probably be a published policy.
In practical terms, do you have to complete a first year assessment or similar? You might want to think about whether you aim to complete that before going on maternity leave.

Hi @SOWK Thanks for your reply! Yes, I can take a break in studies and it'll extend my registration period. I have a progress review at this end of this academic year (June sometime), and then my upgrade would be next March.

I think it can work practically - I'm mostly just worried about getting off on the wrong foot and giving the wrong impression I think!

It's not a big deal. You don't need to tell them for planning or otherwise, take your time to settle in and see how the pregnancy goes.

Honestly, they'll have seen it all many times before and a short halt to your studies is no big deal.

Congratulations on your pregnancy. I know two people who have had a baby during their PhD and taken maternity leave so it is not that unusual. If you have a funded PhD they usually like you to complete within a set time but the time you take off to have a baby is not usually counted towards that. You say yours is unfunded so that should not be a problem.

I am not a supervisor but I think you are worrying too much.

Congratulations!
Don't worry about the impact on the PhD - and tell your supervisors when it feels right for you. All sorts of things happen during people's PhDs and the university should have well established ways of dealing with them. All the best for your pregnancy.

What is your supervisor like? If you are worried about their reaction, is there a director of graduate education or pastoral lead in the department that you could talk to first?

It's early days in the supervisory relationship, but so far they seem supportive and engaged. Fingers crossed I've got that right!

Congratulations, OP! Bearing in mind that you will have a relationship with your supervisor for at least three years if things go well, I personally would not mention the pregnancy until it is established. It just feels more professional. Boundaries and all that.

When you do, I think it will help to sound confident and as though you expect your supervisor, school and uni to treat you well

Of course, if you need time off for pregnancy related reasons before then you will need to come clean, and I would expect your supervisor to respond in a professionally sympathetic manner

Like you I had a complicated fertility journey and started my PhD thinking that was behind me. Then a year in - decided to try again. I actually discussed this (in the pub...) with my supervisor who said that at my age I had better get on with it! I intermitted for 2 years in the end so that I could effectively go PT and take 2 years to do my third year. That child is now applying for university. If you want to wait past at least the 3 months to talk about it that seems entirely reasonable. In many ways it's easier now, during PhD than later.

Many years ago in my dept we had a student who had 4 babies during her registration! She was part time and her registration lasted about 10 years. She got there in the end and we were all delighted for her. No one had an issue with it.

I wouldn't tell your supervisor just yet. For what it's worth, I had two children during my own PhD. I took 2 months off with the first, but only 2 weeks with the second. Admittedly though, it was a part time PhD (I had a teaching job in a school in addition). Social sciences also. My university did offer maternity leave from studies though, but I just wanted to get on with it or it would never happen!

Hi everyone, thank you so much for your reassuring replies. For anyone interested - I had supervision yesterday and I did share the news with both my first and second supervisors. They were wildly supportive and appreciated the transparency. I feel so much better about the whole thing, and feel that, whatever the outcome of the pregnancy, it will be OK.

Onwards with the PhD for now!

Thanks again.

Congratulations!