My mom did NOT want to have babies, but birth control was not effective enough and she had four. Our upbringing was pretty awful, and I knew I was a dysfunctional mess by the time I got out of my mother's house. Sadly, the way I escaped was to marry too early, to a husband even more arbitrary and controlling than my mother. (Young women tend to "marry what they know.")
But I thought I would spare humanity, and an innocent child, the burden of birthing another one, and decided young not to have children. I also, way back in the 60's, could see that overpopulation was a problem to take seriously, and didn't want to add to the burden the Earth was already carrying.
But five years later, still in that rocky marriage but having done a great deal of emotional work and self-improvement, I was amazed to wake up one day with the knowledge that I was to have a child, and that I'd be a good-enough mom. I went off the Pill and was pregnant a month later. I read parenting books voraciously, and took copious notes, ate well and exercised religiously. And had a beautiful, healthy baby girl.
I stopped with one child, knowing I didn't have the emotional or financial resources for more. And I am more concerned than ever about the future of the millions of babies we're putting on this planet. But I gave my daughter my best, and it was good enough. I did a great deal more growing up, as motherhood requires, but my delight was beyond measure. Sleepless nights and constant demands were not more than I could endure (although if I had been challenged then by the health issues that plague me now, I would have suffered more, I'm sure).
Between four sisters, we have only two, now grown, children. Two sisters realized that they are badly screwed up, and resisted the temptation to reproduce. One of them has been emotionally disabled for decades, and the other rescues dogs. I've been a grandmother for 6 years now, and am part of my grandson's life – another source of bottomless joy. I love those opportunities to see the world and its wonder through the eyes of a child. Because I made such a conscious choice to be the best possible parent, I can honestly say every single day, even the highest-stress ones, were/are worthwhile and deeply rewarding for me.
I raised a happy, healthy, responsible, caring daughter who married a brilliant, capable and caring man, and they are now raising a son who is so much like her (and him). And we are all still below the "replacement" number of babies, so I don't feel guilty about the environment.
But I don't want to talk you into something you're not sure about. I do think you can wait to be sure you want to parent – I did and most of the women I know did. I also have a number of older women friends, who, for a range of reasons, never gave birth. They are largely content with their lives and don't feel than anything is missing. Some of them are beloved aunties to other people's kids. Some of them consider their pets to be family enough. Many of them are remarkably accomplished scholars and career people. Having babies is not a requirement for life happiness, and it's not for everybody. Thank goodness birth control is available now.