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AIBU?

to worry about TTC at the moment?

21 replies

dribblychops · 16/07/2009 19:26

Right, apologies in advance as this is a swine flu related thread. I'm not trying to add to the general hysteria, just after opinions!

Yesterday I was sent an email about swine flu from the NCT which was a government document aimed at pregnant women and those with young children. Basically, the advice is if you are trying to conceive then you are better to wait until the pandemic is over.

Now I know that swine flu isn't too different from regular flu (probably less severe at the moment) and that if you catch flu in general in your first trimester then there is a chance that a fever can damage foetal development. We are about to start TTC baby no.2 and it's in the back of my mind that maybe we should follow the advice on waiting. I work in the NHS too (directly with patients) so there's probably going to be a high chance of catching it.

Am I being paranoid? I'd rather not put our baby making plans on hold as I don't want a big age gap between DD and the next baby.

I probably need a healthy dose of realism...
Is it just government hype or do you think it's sensible?

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Morloth · 16/07/2009 19:27

Seriously? The government is telling people not to get pregnant? That is quite worrying.

We are TTC and I am not taking Swine Flu into account, there is always something.

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dribblychops · 16/07/2009 19:45

This is what was said:

The Department of Health advises that it may be sensible for those trying for children to consider delaying conception whilst the pandemic is going on. This may reduce the risk of your catching flu and may reduce its severity because pregnancy affects your immune system. For women who are part way through a fertility programme, you will need to balance possible difficulties in deciding to interrupt the programme by choice or because the service becomes unavailable against the urgency to complete the programme and the safety of the pregnancy and newborn during a pandemic. Your maternity/fertility service should be able to provide more information about what services it can continue to provide

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Morloth · 16/07/2009 19:47

It almost sounds sinister. Could just be me though.

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Scorpette · 16/07/2009 19:52

I hadn't heard this - and didn't know that flu in the 2st trimester can damage the foetus - and am worried now. I am 36 and about to TTC for my first child (in middle of AF right now). What worries me is how long will the pandemic last - for women 35+ like me, every month counts when TTC; I'm not prepared to wait another year just cos of the 'what-if' of swine flu.

Shit, this has worried me now. Live in Notts, where there's a lot of swine flu and I work with the public and use buses as can't drive, so am in contact with large amounts of people. I also have some underlying health issues as well. Buggeration, am going to have to chat with my Doc about this.

Thanks for bringing this to our attention - is good to know about.

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mrsboogie · 16/07/2009 20:11

I am 41 and hoping maybe to have another (DS is 10 months) so haven't got the luxury of hanging around too long but I still wouldn't ttc until I have either had it or been vaccinated. Hopefully we will know how this is all going to go much sooner than a year from now.

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sazlocks · 16/07/2009 20:18

Is the world going mad ?
I heard today that the pandemic could last 5 years so what's everyone going to do - wait until its over before TTC.
I am just going into my second trimester and have a toddler so double worry in terms of risk. I also work in the NHS with clinicians albeit I am not directly in contact with patients. It might just been my pregnancy addled brain but that paragraph above quoted from the Departmnet of Health doesn't make any sense to me.
FWIW I am slightly concerned about swine flu but seriously there is more risk getting in the car every day than dying from swine flu.

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canttouchthis · 16/07/2009 20:27

This has been a topic on the back of my mind for a while now. We are ttc no2 aswell, but very half-heartedly. I'm slightly concerned of the dangers of catching flu (or swine flu) whilst being at any stage of pg. We'll let nature take it's course as it's taken 18 months so far to fall pg again...it may never happen, so could be worrying over nothing!

I agree with sazlocks in a way, we can't all live in fear incase the worst happens, esp when we don't know when that will be exactly. Life is too short.

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dribblychops · 16/07/2009 20:59

Well, just found this as well. Obviously it's winter over there. Strikes me as hysterical but still a little frightening

www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/07/16/2627934.htm

Hope the link works.

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Bumperslucious · 16/07/2009 21:09

Oh dear, we have started TTC no.2. I don't want to leave it though. Are pg woman to be vaccinated? Is vaccination safe when you are pg?

I'm not going to stop trying (hell, I have let a bout of tonsilitis stop me!).

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ElfOnTheTopShelf · 16/07/2009 21:12

Scorpette - whereabouts in Notts are you? Have you had loads of people you know poorly with another bug that seems to be doing the rounds?

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Bumperslucious · 16/07/2009 21:12

Gosh that article was very hysterical. I can't imagine that sort of advice here.

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moomaa · 16/07/2009 21:15

I got that email too and it freaked me out, I went out today and bought paracetemol, Calpol and hand sanitiser stocks. I wouldn't admit that in rl as I know it's a bit mad

We are thinking of trying for DC3 from Christmas and I will put it off if it all kicks off as a result otherwise I will fret. If I were older or having fertility treatment etc I wouldn't.

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Morloth · 16/07/2009 21:17

No-one I know in Sydney is actually concerned and I have a couple of pregnant friends. Just the usual advice, wash hands stay away from sick people if possible.

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moomaa · 16/07/2009 21:17

Just thought, I'd better go and check battery stocks for the kid's thermometer.....

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Yurtgirl · 16/07/2009 21:17

If I was ttc (Im not and havent got anyone to ttc with!) I would just carry on and ttc

Dont let the govt boss you about

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poppy34 · 16/07/2009 21:28

Is this a wind up? Sorry to op as clearly it's sensitive but I have not heard egos anywhere else and it doesn't seem to correspond to anything I can find on their website. There is also advice on here from a senior consultant on coping with swine flu. IMHO ttc is not something that can be timed like a supermarket trick and as I am not getting any younger I would balance that issue against potential of swine flu and it's effect.

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Scorpette · 16/07/2009 22:02

Elf - work in Nottingham, but don't live in city. Yep, quite a few people have had a nasty bug doing the rounds, inc. a work colleague. I'm worried about that and s f, as am about to go on hols and TTC...

Where are you?

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ElfOnTheTopShelf · 16/07/2009 22:10

I work in the city centre, and live in Carlton.
So many people I know have had that horrible bug.

DH and I had been thinking of TTC but there are so many things that keep making me change my mind, and back again

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RedLollyYellowLolly · 16/07/2009 22:19

I just googled "government advice on swine flu and conception". The first two hits are Mumsnet threads

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dancingqueeen · 17/07/2009 00:06

my mum told me on the phone that she wouldn't reccommend ttc right now, due to the risks of flu and pregnancy. she trained as a midwife and also had 5 children, so I do have some respect for her advice. However, I'm late twenties and have been ttc for a year now, and as other people have said, it seems the pandemic could go on for several years... I just don't think I can bear to but ttc on hold that long. think i'm going to keep ttc and if I get pg just minimise my contact with people etc... its a horrible choice to have though . If I was super fertile I would probably decide to delay until the vaccine was ready (but, would they give it to those ttc??)

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sazlocks · 17/07/2009 06:45

At the end of the day I think all that people can do is follow basic advice.
So use tissues when you cough or sneeze and then chuck them away. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use a hand sanitizing gel. Teach your kids to do the same.
If you are going to get it then you are going to get it. Its very contagious at the end of the day.
I don't think its that realistic to minimise contact with people for 9 months of a pregnancy. In any case you could get it from the postman, home delivery service, visitors to your home etc etc
I know its a sensitive topic and as I said previously at 12 ish weeks pregnant with a toddler in tow I am more at risk/ have more reason to be concerned than others. Seriously though I think people need to get things in perspective, take some basic precautions and then get on with life.

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