dr.jones,

Hi ! If you feel that planning on trying for your first child next year is the right time, then you should definitely go ahead and bring a child into the world. If you read around here on the MomMD forums, you'll see that many view that the "right time" is when you feel it to be, only b/c there is never a perfect time to have a child. There are of course better times than others, but many of those times are in the future which can never be accurately predicted.

One thing that I do believe is this. Many of us concern ourselves on having *another* child meaning #2,#3, etc. Having a child already gives us parents the taste of having to juggle between children and school/career. It is quite different going from already having a child than from going from none to one. You go from having the freedom of time (although I'm assuming that med students are always short of it ) to a very limited amount of time and having to manage it to a much greater extent.

Depending on your situation provided that everyone has different cases, you may very well be able to do it. If you have family or excellent child care under your belt then it is easier than those who have to do it all on their own. I only believe that it is something to think about before you decide that having a child as soon as you want to is what you TRULY want. You still have options.

However, children are such blessings and bring us such joy that all of that can be overlooked without a problem. I can tell you that from a mom and student's perspective. You eventually forget about all of the worries the stresses and difficulties and you start to think that it isn't really that hard. Unless you consume yourself with regret and living in the past (when you didn't have a child) or by comparing yourself with those who are not in your situation, life becomes pretty grand. This is because balancing school and family becomes your life and your life is all you know.

I just want to attempt to give you both sides of the story. I'll tell you one thing. Having a 4 y/o daughter is the best thing I can ever imagine. Sure, times get difficult but I keep going aware that this is my life...my daughter is my life. That in itself makes my life wonderful and every ounce of stress, hardship, worries, etc. is worth it by a million. If you feel that you are ready and that you are capable of taking on the whole package (the good and the bad) at this point in which you stand, then you will more than likely feel the same way I do .

I wish you and your husband all of the joy and luck. Keep us posted!

Annie