I'm actually quite relieved to see (a) the number of people who seem to be thinking the same way as me on this and (b) who are taking pragmatic approaches.
At the moment we're in our first month of try for a little one! So these were timely posts.
Good luck everyone, and well done to everyone who's managing to balance everything!

I think they'd want you to 'upgrade' to an undergrad degree via the extra year first.

I'm in a very similar position, my husband is six years older.
I may well end up taking the AHRC up on their maternity leave, which I think rates very well in comparison with that available for 'proper' jobs. I am, however, seriously concerned about my supervisor/departments reaction to me having a baby mid-way through my PhD (and I don't think I'd make out it was so planned!) as well as feeling guilty about using money that could be used for studentships for others -- however I expect they must allocate a separate pot of money for this....
I think the hardest thing if you're planning on a first child at this stage is not knowing how you'll react/ how easy it will be to leave it in child care etc... Actually the PhD life of an arts and humanities student probably fits in quite well with babies...

The AHRC do 9 months paid + 3 unpaid.....
Megara, you're with the AHRC too right?

Thanks -- the ticket is a new emailed ticket, rather than one you put your card in the machine for, apparently the ticket inspector has to see the card to check you are who you say you are. Because we'd be one initial out on the card I decided to do the honest thing and try and resolve it.... so much for that!!!
I'll see if they respond to my complaint about them processing the transaction......hmm!!!

Hi,
I basically booked some train tickets on a well known train company and accidentally used my husbands card not mine.
This is a problem as I ordered an E Ticket and apparently ticked a box that had small print saying you had to carry the card used with you on the journey and that it had to be in the main travelers name (me... I'm traveling alone).
The company are refusing to let me travel on the e ticket irrespective of whether I have the card with me.
1. Are they allowed to just refuse the service like this? I've offered any number of solutions but the only thing they'll 'let' me do is buy another ticket at £60.
2. It's quite obvious I used the right card as in the 'name' box I put my name and in the card details my husbands. As a card with these details doesn't exist, are they allowed to take the money?

Indeed many of us will be aware of the system in the US. However this is not a US forum, therefore without you being explicit about where you are referring to, you're going to create confusion.
In the UK, where the vast majority of the students on this forum are from, it is virtually unheard of for people to complete a PhD in two years. I suspect there would be major concerns raised about whether the depth of research conducted for a 2 year PhD was sufficient for a PhD to be awarded. I know some exceptional scholars... not of whom have completed there PhDs in this time frame.
Also science/humanities PhDs are likely to differ. Whereas lab work -- if everything goes 'right' --means luck might be an element in the length of one's PhD, I'd hazard a guess that this is rarely the case with arts/humanities/social sciences.

The OP comments are not very helpful.
For a social science PhD, which is what yours sounds like, you generally have to submit a proposal (rather than applying for advertised PhDs which are extremely rare).
You'll generally be expected to hold a first degree and a masters degree, preferably in a field that is very relevant to your topic, though professional experience may be taken into account.
Start by looking at university politics departments websites and looking for academics with suitable research interests at places you'd be interested in studying. Explain who you are what you're interested in etc... and they should help 'hand hold' you through the process to some extent, though it would be worth cluing yourself up via the Uni website, on application procedures, etc...
If you require funding this is very difficult to get, the (usually limited) places you can apply will again usually be on uni websites. See also 'funding councils' e.g. AHRC, ESRC etc... for where your subject area falls. If you can self fund the procedure will be more straightforward.... but expensive....
HTH

The OP comments are not very helpful.
For a social science PhD, which is what yours sounds like, you generally have to submit a proposal (rather than applying for advertised PhDs which are extremely rare).
You'll generally be expected to hold a first degree and a masters degree, preferably in a field that is very relevant to your topic, though professional experience may be taken into account.
Start by looking at university politics departments websites and looking for academics with suitable research interests at places you'd be interested in studying. Explain who you are what you're interested in etc... and they should help 'hand hold' you through the process to some extent, though it would be worth cluing yourself up via the Uni website, on application procedures, etc...
If you require funding this is very difficult to get, the (usually limited) places you can apply will again usually be on uni websites. See also 'funding councils' e.g. AHRC, ESRC etc... for where your subject area falls. If you can self fund the procedure will be more straightforward.... but expensive....
HTH

It depends entirely on where you got your funding from....

Linguist -- are you a UK student?

Because what you're saying suggests not, and this is a UK based forum, so you're going to be speaking cross-purposes with most people.

You don't.
Although if your partner works you may be able to get help if you purchase childcare vouchers directly from your wages....
I can't tell you any more about this as I don't know, but I'm sure if you google....

Send me a PM with the nature of your discipline.....
I can probably help depending on what it is....

These are a pure science thing. Many people on here (the majority?) are not scientists so they won't know about them, in which case your slightly patronising spin on things probably won't be appreciated.
Getting on science PhDs is very different to getting on, say, arts and humanities PhDs, where unless you've top grades you probably won't see a penny (and indeed, quite often you won't despite the top grades).
Be grateful that these are on offer, but try not to rub them in other peoples faces....

I think stressed has got it about right.
Generally you need to take the lead from them -- with people I've met/ am planning on working fairly close with, but haven't emailed before, I tend to say Dear Andrew (I hope it's OK if I address you like this).... or something to that ends. After all it'll just come across as sweet (I figure) rather than inappropriate.... with everyone else I start using Dr. xx form and then if they reply with their first name, use that....
I think the best thing is to be relaxed about it, I'm sure it;s equally awkward for them sometimes!!
Sx