Just started PhD and pregnant... anyone been in this situation?

[TomMartow]

So... I'm a (very!) mature student with other dcs, my supervisors won't be expecting this. I'm 11 weeks along, very happy about it other than my worries & hoping to not need to tell them til after my scan, so I've been ignoring it til now but now I'm starting to worry about reactions and how things will work out.

How do unis usually handle pregnancy during a PhD, have people found them supportive? How much time did you have off & did you get an extension etc easily? Tell me it'll all work out ok...

Haven't been in your situation but have supervised two students who have taken maternity leave part way through.

Don't worry about your supervisor's reaction - it'll be no big deal to them.

Your university will let you suspend your studies for maternity leave so the clock will stop ticking and no fees will be charged. If you are research council funded you can receive maternity pay.

Just spend the next six months tying up loose ends and making a plan for completion on your return.

I have just had a second during my PhD, I was at the tipping point of falling into my third year and was denied the right to come back and complete PT. Thats been a bit shock. I also struggle to afford childcare and I have real issues working when tired.

However as RC student I got ML (unexpectedly). I wish I have stopped sooner than I did (39w) because the last month of work was pretty dire now I look back on it.

But the Uni were supportive and I would take a baby over the PhD any day!

Thanks for your responses - bec my funding isn't research council (its partly industry & partly uni - the industry part is what worries me a bit with the reactions I'll get) so I don't think I'll get mat pay but hoping I might get mat allowance? I need to look into it properly.

I've still not told anyone, anyone know if there's a point by which you have to tell them by? I'd like to put it off a bit longer!

Eyelet - that sounds very hard work having two during a phd! But you're exactly right, although the phd is something I've always wanted to do I'd take the baby over it too :) congratulations btw.