I fell pregnant and gave birth to my children during my PhD. I took unpaid leave with both, and after giving birth to my first child I also went part-time. It took me over 8 years total to complete my PhD part-time.
The specific challenges I faced was around insufficient financial support (e.g. maternity leave) for PhD students from the government and universities, as well as the unique challenges that COVID presented to caregivers. Because PhD students are not considered "employees", our rights around paid government maternity leave, workplace leave etc. are not protected in the same way that employees rights are. The majority of my part-time PhD stipend went on childcare, so I could not have completed my PhD had my partner not had a stable job to financially support our family. I am exceptionally grateful for his support, but also saddened that other women may not be able to complete a PhD because of these challenges. COVID presented the unique challenge of having to continue the PhD with children at home.
I am now an early-career researcher, and I am extremely happy that I persevered through the challenges of navigating and juggling pregnancy and caring for young children whilst completing my PhD. This journey has helped develop my resilience, time-management, and maturity, all of which has been of benefit to my career.