How old were you when you had your first baby? And...

[uptown_urbanist]

I was 29, but was done with school (although am currently thinking of both more kids and getting a PhD). I would have found it extremely difficult as an undergraduate, and would have had difficulties during my initial years of grad school (my MA work took a LOT of time and didn't offer much flexibility) but I've heard from others that having children slightly later in graduate school can be very good timing; you'll still be exhausted, of course, but at least it's easier to fit independent research (as opposed to formal classes) around a at-times complicated schedule. I don't know if that works for your particular program or field, as I assume things can vary greatly. I would, if at all possible, at least try to get one year of school done before having the baby; you'll get at least some of the core requirements out of the way, you'll know everyone and how things work, and you'll be able to better figure out how to adapt your schedule. Also expect the unexpected (sorry, know it's a cliche!); my son came early, and we both had some medical problems over the next six or so months. Try looking at the Chronicle of Higher Education's website - some of their articles are available without a subscription, and certainly the issue of balancing career/school with children is something a lot of women (and men, too) are dealing with, especially considering that for most women the prime graduate school years are also the prime childbearing years. Also, maybe after you start your program you'll have a better chance to see if other people are having or have had kids, and how they've dealt with it; they'll be able to give you specific advice or recommendations based on your own program. I do know people who have successfully balanced both, so it can definitely be done. (look into daycare, too, if that's going to be an issue - sometimes even the school-based programs can have extremely long waiting lists for infant daycare - some to two years! - so you might want to put your name on the list way before you need it, just in case.)

[suzie02]

Originally Posted by thegirlinaz

Thanks for all your responses! I am going back to school for my master's degree in the fall, but we want to have a baby in the next couple years... I just don't know if being pregnant and going to college will be too challenging for me, but we also don't want to wait several more years before having a baby.

Sounds like baby fever. There would be only a couple of reasons not to wait.
1.) Your are older than 35
2.) You are planning to have lots of kids
3.) You may have reasons to believe that you may have trouble getting pregnant.

There is nothing anyone can tell you that will prepare you for what it means to have a baby. It is 24/7 and no vacations. You will be torn between school and the baby and both will suffer. Be a little patient. It will be worth it.

[crazyme4878]

Originally Posted by suzie02

Sounds like baby fever. There would be only a couple of reasons not to wait.
1.) Your are older than 35
2.) You are planning to have lots of kids
3.) You may have reasons to believe that you may have trouble getting pregnant.

There is nothing anyone can tell you that will prepare you for what it means to have a baby. It is 24/7 and no vacations. You will be torn between school and the baby and both will suffer. Be a little patient. It will be worth it.

Oh, I don't know. I guess I disagree. For some people it works really well and neither schoolwork nor baby suffers. But yes, nothing can prepare you for life post-baby! The worse part--not knowing what kind of personality your baby will have. Up all times of the night, or sleeping through the night early on... etc.