Incredibly helpful opinions presented here and from what I gather, it's a personal thing. I'm probably the type that could pull it off with the right kind of organizing, planning and small team of friends and family about. One of the key reasons I am heading towards a phd is because I want the more flexible schedule - even if it means 2-4 weeks in remote locations or at conferences.

Funny thing about that biological clock: I did not want children under any circumstances until about a year ago (31). Then it hit, and it hit hard. While my head said, 'no way', my body would have incredibly powerful emotional responses to other babies and pregnant women. At this point, no 'research' could ever tell me that the biological clock is socially constructed. My body is speaking loud and clear!

Thanks so much for your responses! It is all just theoretical worrying, at this point. And worrying might be all it is -- I am looking for some anecdotal evidence that it would all be ok, that I (and my partner) could manage and that I could finish while not being a too-neglectful mother. Money wouldn't be abundant and is usually in fluctuation (he being a freelancer and me a student), but we do have a couple of secondary, fixed forms of income. Am I worrying needlessly?

Hi there -

I am at the nascent stages of pursuing a PhD. Am currently 32, will be 33 when I begin, and am being fairly realistic when I say that I will probably be a mother before I complete my research (ie 3-4 years from now). Does anybody else have advice on this? Is it realistic to think that I can begin a family while completing the PhD?
Thank you in advance.