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Volunteer work vs. TTC
Hi there... long time board lurker, not much of a poster, but I now have a question and am hoping to get some advice.
I recently returned from a trip to Jacmel, Haiti where I did some volunteer work, building an orphanage, a dental clinic, and playing with hundreds of orphans. The experience was too amazing for words and has seriously changed my outlook on life, so much so that I fully intend to go back again next year, if not sooner. However, before I left, DH and I had discussed starting to TTC when I got back. Now that I want to return to Haiti next year, this kinda puts a knot in our plans.
If we start TTC and I get pregnant right away (which happened to 2 of my 3 sisters), then the baby could be just 2 months old next year, which I think is too young to leave, even if it's just for a week. If we start TTC and it takes a few months, I could be in my 2nd or 3rd trimester. Side note: I don't have to worry about vaccinations as I had to get them all for going this time around.
Originally, DH and I had a 5 year wait plan on baby (5 years after marriage we would start trying). But this summer marks the 3rd year and DH is getting antsy to start trying. I am as well, but I don't want to have a baby and not be able to do any of the volunteer work I've fallen in love doing. Am I just being too selfish? Should I suck it up and not go next year? Does anyone have any experience with going to a 3rd world country with a young child for volunteer work?
Sincerely, Seriously Conflicted 
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Re: Volunteer work vs. TTC
I'm sorry, I cannot tell you what you should and shouldn't do with your life.
I think that you need to sit down and have a discussion with your husband. Together, you need to decide if you are ready to start trying to conceive a child, or if you want to continue to wait. You need to discuss your plans, or possible plans, to travel again. It is something that only the two of you can decide.
Good luck!
I think I would base my decision on what is more important to me. Planning to have a child and trying now or waiting until you do all of the mission trips you want to do before having a child. Being a mom is hard enough and being pregnant is as well. I don't think you would want to go to a 3rd world country if you were pregnant or if you had a child at home. You would want to protect them as much as you could from any diseases that they could catch. (Not saying that going to a 3rd world country is a bad thing.)
P.S. I think what you are doing is a great thing though!!
My Ovulation Chart
TTC #1 since March 2010
DH - SA = Low Morphology. Great overall count.
August 2012: HSG - All Clear
September 2012: Timed Intercourse 100 mg Clomid CD 4-8 w/ Repronex & HCG Injections = BFN
October 2012: Timed Intercourse 100 mg Clomid CD 4-8 = BFN
September 2013: New Doctor: 50 mg Clomid CD 5-9 & IUI #1 = BFN
October 2013: 50 mg Clomid CD 3-7 & IUI #2 = BFN
November 2013 to ??? = On a mental break for now.
I agree with this. If it your heart's one desire right now to go back for this mission, then maybe it isn't time for a baby. But if your heart's one desire is to have a baby and you just are yearning for that same experience, I think you should go for it. There are just as many powerful, beautiful, and life changing experiences to be had in America. In my experience, it's always been the people that you're with that make the impact, not that place you're at.
Good luck, and keep doing the good work that you're doing! (Gal 6:9)
It's hard for me to answer this because for me, a week away volunteering vs. having a baby are not even close. Your trip sounds awesome, but I would 293472947234732 times rather have a baby than take any trip anywhere, no matter how rewarding volunteering would be. But it sounds like you're not sure which is more important to you, which probably means you're not ready for a baby.
I agree with PPs, there are probably lots of volunteer opportunities closer to home that you could do during a pregnancy or with a newborn. Maybe an afterschool program to help kids with homework or a family shelter would be fulfilling for you until you're able to get back to Haiti. I don't know how much planning is involved in the trip, but if you and your husband agree to TTC now and you're not pregnant in 6 months, you could still go on the trip next year.