Advice wanted from City lawyer mums

[Gangle]

I am thinking of starting TTC and dithering about when is the right time to try. I'm 30 and got married last year and would like to start trying soon. Problem is, I started a new job back in May 2006 and it's going very very well - lots of worldwide travel, promotion and very well paid AND I really enjoy it. Having had years of struggling with nightmare jobs I feel really lucky! So, I'm worried that having a baby will mean I can't do the hours I do or the amount of travelling and that, as a result, my career may take a nosedive. Would love to hear and of your experiences in how you juggled both and what impact having a baby had on your career. BTW, I'm 5.5 years PQE.

Go for it - being broody is the best reason of all. i don't think anyone confortable with themselves regrets their children and everything falls into place. Fertility only declines with age and stress, so if you are feeling broody, happy and confident, then I'd go definitely for it.

I'm going to go for it too. I feel broody, I'm 32 soon, DH is keen and I have just reached the threshold for the best maternity rights, but us control-freak lawyers are always worrying about unsettling situations and the unknown. I worked so bl**dy hard to get here I don't want to let my hard work slip through my fingers. It won't slip, but there are changes to be made - maybe going for a non-fee earning role. I like my job, but not my firm, so why not? Another push is that my lovely SIL who is 35 has been told she has a very tiny chance of conceiving without egg donation, which is scary.

good luck, gangle and woodmouse