Deciding whether to have children is a hugely personal choice and, often, includes so many considerations and factors it can be hard to even keep track of all the aspects.

Some people can find themselves almost immobilised with the perceived weight of the decision, and find talking to friends or family challenging.

Perhaps surprisingly, this internal debate is something that is often brought to mental health professionals as an independent, impartial facilitator, and a sympathetic ear.

Here, Dr Isabel McMullen, Consultant Psychiatrist, talks through her advice to people currently weighing up this decision, as well as some broader thoughts on the topic.