Hi there,

I have done this! I did 3 years full time and then had a baby (I deferred for a year) I went back part time and three years on I am still trying to finish it. It is really hard being a mum and trying to do a Phd. I would say you would be better to wait until until you are done and dusted with your Phd. even if you got pregnant close to the end of the Phd , you may have all the morning sickenss to deal with which can take tolls on energy levels and productiveness etc which is something to keep in mind! Good luck!

Just wondering if anyone has advice. I had a good run of My Phd for the first two and half years with the usual ups and downs of course , Half way through my third year, I became extremely exhausted and suffered from depression and anxiety. Some for my own reasons and alot to do with feeling completly isolated and upsupported within a department. I ended up deferring , moving country and getting a job which has helped enormously. however im now deciding wether to go back and finish ...Ive had little contact with the department since, and feel my supervisor has essentially lost interest. Has anyone else been in a similar situation ie deferring and tried to go back and try to finish and was it worth it?! Or has anyone just moved on and put their energy into something else. I also face Uni fees and family obligations too!

hi teek, i hear you, i know exactly the feeling , I have just been and still am going through similar to you ie with phd and relationships suffering and its such a weight..I.havent really done much work either in three months, but getting better ... hang in there, there are lots more important things in life than a working hard on a phd and once you give yourself some time and proper care and try to focus on the stuff that makes you happy , the work will follow when your feeling better.. thats what i believe anyway and hope!all the best

hey there! hope you are feeling better. I think you should give yourself a good chance find something to absorb your mind completly away from what is stressing you and try to relax.. your health and happiness are the most important things you can have!

ah cheers! its a bit of a time warp all right!!

hi everyone.. any tips am I a complete waster if I have acheived pretty much nothing in the first six months of my Phd except for make mess of papers on my desk?!