Pregnant Advisor

[OliviaV]

I am a phd student, ABD, writing my dissertation. I am planning to finish December, 2013. But I just learned that my advisor is pregnant (and I learned it from someone else and I asked her, she confirmed). I will be working on my dissertation over the summer and plan to make a timeline, which forces me to submit chapters and receive feedback over the summer. However, she is probably due in mid-summer and I am not sure how to approach the subject.

 

I am happy for her, but I am worried about my progress as well. To complicate the issue, I should add that I will be moving out of this state and live in another state starting with early-August, 2013.   

 

Was anybody else in my situation as well? Thanks for your responses in advance.

[fuzzylogician]

Practically speaking, you'll probably need someone else to support your progress once your advisor has her baby. I'd be very straightforward about it and involve her in the process - discuss this concern with her and try and come up with a timeline and support system that will get you through the writing stages as fast as possible. This probably means involving someone else on your committee in the day-to-day advising, or taking on a second advisor. You should weigh these options together with your advisor and choose someone who you can both work with and who not only knows your work but generally agrees with your advisor about the expectations and goals for your dissertation.

[TMP]

Don't make a huge deal out of it but simply say that you hope to finish in December . What is a realistic timeline given your and your adviser's calendars.  It's a chance for your adviser to reveal herself that she's pregnant and can do this or that.

[queenleblanc]

It sounds like a lot of the feedback you will need / get will be virtual (over email, etc) -- I'm not sure why a pregnancy would impact your advisor's ability to respond to you, except for perhaps the weeks right when she has the baby.  She isn't falling off the face of the planet... but maybe that's just my perspective.  My sister-in-law had a baby in August, and a friend just had her baby in mid-February -- they are quicker back to their computer than anything else, so I could see this actually as a benefit to you.  It would be prudent to at least have the conversation to find out if she plans to return to her position after whatever amount of appropriate time and continue to advise you with a possible December finishing date.  Other than that, if you end up keeping your advisor and finishing on schedule, just try to email her whatever you need to get you through a few weeks during that time in mid-summer.  

[juilletmercredi]

Since your advisor has already revealed to you that she's pregnant, I don't think it's untoward to ask her to meet with you about a timeline for your dissertation progress and then being relatively direct about the question of midsummer progress check-ins.  I wouldn't frame it that way, or make it about her child at all, but just ask her if she plans to be around during the summer for you to make progress and get feedback about your dissertation.

 

For all you know, she's hired a full-time nanny who is available to take over the care of her baby after two weeks, or her partner is staying home.  Or maybe she's already thought of someone on your committee who will step up and take a greater role while she is recovering.  Like kcald716 says, she's not dropping off the face of the planet, she's having a baby.  She'll probably be less available for a few weeks at best.

Edited February 26, 2013 by juilletmercredi

[oopalfrootz]

Hm. Perhaps you underestimate her. My supervisor took only a few days off when she had her kid, and we didn't lose out on her time. Her group is clearly one of her priorities, or she wouldn't be in this job. She's thought about how you'll be doing wrt this! It's misconceptions like this that lead to sexism in hiring, to be totally honest... don't worry! 

[whirledpeas13]

I'm inclined to say that this is exactly the kind of thinking that necessitates the feminist movement. I had my baby at the end of May, took 2 weeks to recover, and then began my summer research internship full time. My baby, of course, was and is my first priority, but my research and education is my passion. I make time for both. Communicate with her in a tactful, caring way that shows you are concerned about her well being -- not just your own progress. For that matter, you are fully capable of working ahead of schedule if finishing before August is your biggest concern. We are all human beings and life happens. It's always better to work ahead when possible. I mean even if she was not pregnant what would you do if she became horribly ill and was out for a few weeks? Plan for life to happen -- including babies.