This week's Second Opinion dilemma comes from Antonia. She's currently working in a full-time role that she sees as her Christian 'calling' - a high-level position in a welfare organisation, where she gets to help improve people's lives. She loves the job and after dreaming about a role like this for years believes God led her into it.

But in the past year, only a few months after she stepped into this new role, Antonia got married. And while her husband never talked much about kids before they tied the knot, suddenly he feels it's time to start a family. Seeing his friends and siblings having children, he really wants his own. He's not forcing the issue, but it's pretty clear that his desire to have kids soon isn't going to go away.

Antonia never wanted kids immediately after getting married, at least not for five years or so - and she doesn't feel she can do both her job and motherhood at the same time. Working part-time might seem like an obvious answer, but her role isn't something that could be easily downscaled. It was advertised as a full-time position, it's the type of job you work towards for years, and it really needs someone dedicated to the task five days a week.

Motherhood, or marketplace. Which should she choose?

 
• Antonia has thought about trying to negotiate some special arrangement with the boss to work part-time in her role, but in her heart of hearts she feels that if she tried to juggle both the job and being a mum, both would suffer.

• She's also wondering if it's selfish that she wants to continue her job, rather than start a family. Is it wrong that she would rather work for a few more years rather than raise a child?

• And is it wrong if she doesn't agree with her husband that now is the time to start a family? Should Antonia be submitting to her husband's wishes, and if so, how can she change her mindset to be more enthusiastic about the idea of becoming pregnant and leaving the job of her dreams?

Give Antonia your advice below. If you're a woman who has faced this dilemma, we'd particularly love to hear how you made your decision.