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Your girlfriend is smart. You should listen to her more often.
I know that people wanting kids don't like to hear this, but kids cost money. A lot of money. Back in the 80's someone estimated that a kid would cost a million dollars by the time he graduated college. And we've had inflation since then. If you're not financially stable, it's really stupid to have a kid. Period. I'm pretty tired of hearing the "we'll survive on love since we don't have money" argument. Love doesn't buy the kid's food, medicine, clothes, much less toys.
Kids take a lot of work. You're talking about parents who are in college and who work - when are you planning on having time to raise your kid? Gonna give up sleep? That'll only work for a couple of days.
Kids are noisy as hell, especially before they turn 30. Apartments + kids = pissed off neighbors. This is why it's a very good idea to have your own house.
So to answer your question of how many people sit down and check that stuff off - only the smart ones do.
As for the waiting till you both have good jobs part - - - well frankly I would hope one of you gives up that job to raise the kid. I really fail to see the point of having a kid and then throwing it into daycare for the rest of its childhood once maternity leave runs out. Why are you having the kid? It's obviously not because you want to raise it - the daycare's doing that for you. My personal strategy would be the one who has the lowest-paying job stays home with the kid AT LEAST until the kid's in school full time.
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