i started this thread ages ago at a time when i was contemplating 'PhD or not?' i was really stressed out at the time and so i posted my qn here. initially i didn't get much of a response and (especially after seeing juno's response) i decided to leave this thread! i began the PhD and am now writing my transfer report with no signs of baby yet! there is no right or wrong answer/decision to this qn - its a balance between career, family and logic; staff attitudes can be differnet between departments if you're worried about getting the cold shoulder from 'others'! anyway, pregnancy isn't the only thing that can take someone away from their project. we're happy (my husband and i) concentrating on our careers although if an accident should occur i don't think it would be the end of the world! i've lately seen people working way into their 3rd trimester and even one person who's water broke in the lab !! i don't think i would do things any different.. thanx again!

I am enjoying my PhD but its definately not a field i want to dedicate my x-many years of research to POST-PhD. Is it difficult to change fields (in my case, from Cardiovascular to Neurology) and would it mean i would have to undertake a research assistant/technician post before i could go onto a post-doc position?

The things that make me happy about my PhD is:

1) if i get through it, i can put my lousy 2:2 behind me and remind myself that i am 'worth it' again!!

2) that i will finish (touch wood) before my little sis finishes her undergrad - that way this won't feel like its going on and on and on forever!

3) I'll have my first paper published (2nd author, but one of main contributors!) within the next few months

4) I am in London where I love it most!!

hey..its my first day today...so i can imagine how you must be feeling...good luck with everything...hope it all goes well..

I will definately check out those websites mentioned.. Sorry to say but i'm not such a cynic and cannot possible compare having a baby to collecting data... but i know what you are trying to say.. i'd love to hear more opinions or advice... please?

First of all thanx A LOT (especially onwards&upwards for ur lengthy response) to everyone who replied so far.. My PhD is a physiology based project and yes, it involves equal amounts of time in the lab and analysing results. I know very well what the project is all about have already learnt the techniques since the project is actually an huge extension of the work i am doing in my MSc project - i guess my sup was impressed with the work i have done so far and wanted me to compete with others for the PhD he was advertising.. i did..and i got it!

I'm asking here at the forum in case anyone has had a similar experience or has stopped in between a PhD to have a baby and so forth...so please help me out. Thank youuuu...

I would really appreciate any opinions and experiences on this topic. The only thing(s) that stood in our way of having a baby was the fact that I was studying for an MSc and my hubby's MRPC exams. Now I've been offered a PhD which my husband wants me to take. However, I don't want to delay having a baby for 3 years at all - neither does my other half - but as a PhD student (starting in Oct) how would I manage it? Is it generally frowned upon? Or could I take leave for some to have my baby and get back to the PhD afterwards?

I always thought it was better to go to a different uni for PG studies..however I have done my BSc, am doing my MSc..and now i've been offered a PhD....all at the same university.. Needless to say..I am definately expecting to be asked why I stayed on at the same university for the last SEVEN YEARS!