salukigirl, I think you're thinking too far ahead. You're young yet and don't know what the future holds even thought you are envisioning some plans. I would wait to really think about all this at least until you are married.

I don't think you have to worry about the age thing so much. I believe it's age 35, not 30, that fertility really begins to decline. I had my babies at age 30 and 34 and had no trouble conceiving. I had my first one during my last year in grad school (I have a PhD). It probably delayed my receiving my degree by at least a year. I remember writing my dissertation in the evenings when my baby was about 1 year old. I worked during the day and the only time I had to write was at night. I just had to barricade myself in my bedroom and let my husband take care of her. When my daughter was younger, I had a hard time finding time to write. I hired a babysitter to take care of her for 3 mornings a week but found that I was so exhausted that during this time I went to sleep instead of writing.

Do you know what field you want to go into? Grad school is easier in some fields than others. I don't think it is wise to defer your career plans because of having babies as what often happens is you get so busy with being a mom that you never go back and go to grad school. So grad school first is the way to go, IMO.

Good luck.