Are others still delaying TTC because of covid?

We put it off for a few months, partly because I found that I had a bad vitamin D deficiency but also because I was worried about COVID affecting the baby. We are starting trying again this month. I'm lucky that I can WFH so my risk of catching it is fairly limited. Community transmission in north London (where I live) is very low now anyway. My doctor said there's no point putting it off for COVID - risk of complications even if you catch it is not high (unless underlying health issues or potentially if you're from a BAME background, which I'm not). There hasn't been any evidence that the baby is affected like it would be with something like rubella.

I won't be going near any big gatherings and will be careful about infection (which I have been since the beginning anyway). I'm not particularly bothered about my husband being at scans and nor is he. The only thing I'm bothered about is being able to have a birth partner, and the RCOG has been very clear that birth partners are important, so I can't see them budging on that.

I am 33 and this would be my first child, so I don't want to put it off much longer.

We had put off ttc because I recieved a shielding letter and oh is waiting on his driving test , so I would have to get public transport to appointments. However I've just been made aware that due to the fact that I'm shielding that im entitled to patient transport, so we have decided to start trying next month. I'm nearly 32 and have health issues, so we are aware that it may take a while and since we want two kids, we dont have forever to hang around

@DontStandSoClose so sorry to hear your sad news, must have been especially awful with everything going on, but am glad to hear you've had some joy since! Congrats! I am feeling really reassured by all these messages. I already have 1 DC so like you wouldn't be terribly put off by solo appointments either (tho can obviously understand not everyone feels the same, especially if it would be their first) xx

I started trying at 33 and am nearly 36 with no baby, so those thinking it will be easy and you can wait, if you've known health issues then I wouldn't.

If you are 30 and no known health issues you might be able to wait as even with needing time for investigations and treatment you will be OK if it is going to happen for you.

We had been putting off trying for a third child for a few months due to career related reasons. We decided to go for it literally the week we went into lockdown and fell pregnant right away. I miscarried at 6/7 weeks but we carried on trying and I am pregnant for the second time.

I didn’t really see the point in holding off to be honest, this isn’t like zika which had risks to unborn babies and as this is my 3rd I’m not really worried about having to go to scans alone. I might feel a little different if it was our first. We are also both turning 37 this year too so we don’t have the time to sit around waiting. I think each to their own, but I don’t feel any more worried being pregnant now, if anything it makes life easier not having to try and hide it right now. I’m happily sipping lemonade during zoom quizzes in a gin glass and no one is remotely suss.

Well I for one have really enjoyed reading people's thoughts and experiences, thanks all for sharing. I hope it will provide peace of mind to people who are uncertain. I didn't realise appointments had reverted back to being face to face, that's reassuring! x

Thanks @Greyhoundgirly it was a bit of a surreal few days!
yes I've found my care has been fine too. First midwife appointment over the phone, but they have now changed to all future ones face to face. I think most trusts are now doing this. They aren't allowing partners in scans which isnt ideal but I understand it, I dont think there is any view to change this any time soon. But I've been happy with my standard of care, I imagine it depends on location though (but that's the same without a pandemic!). I think things are calming down a bit now.

We delayed TTC too but are now planning to try this month. We had decided to try in June at the start of the year but put it back a little. This will be our first cycle. Time is on our side (I'll be 32 by the time a baby is born) but I'm conscious that we may want another baby after this one and I would like to wrap up the baby days before I'm 35. I think that means we need to start now. I'm also worried about being pregnant in a pandemic but I feel the benefits outweigh the risks and it may take a while to conceive in any event.

Oh and I'm BAME and my midwives have not been worried about extra risk, except the same factors that affected pregnancy as before (eg higher risk of gestational diabetes so glucose test)

I found out I was pregnant just before lockdown. It's my 2nd so I am able to compare care to pre covid times. Initially it was very surreal and staff were adjusting however now it's just the 'norm'. Aside from having my booking and 16 week over the phone I've had everything as before. More so, as I had to have extra bloods done.

All my future appointments will be face to face and that's when it really counts. 8 week appt is pretty much a chat about yours and your partners medical history. Only thing I didn't get from 16 week was hearing the heartbeat on a doppler but that has always been dependent on the trust so not guaranteed everywhere if face to face.

You still get all necessary bloods taken, you can still book in for immunsations and if you need extra like the glucose test you'll still have it.

In terms of isolating, there's no need. Just be mindful of distancing and really that's particularly pertinent after 28 weeks. You can carry on as the rest of the general public before then.

We were but have decided to throw caution to the wind. There will always be a reason to delay, but I'm 33 with a myriad of health complications so... next month definitely, undecided on whether to try this month. I need to decide quick as I ovulate on Sunday

@queenatom sounds like you have a decent employer and a good work set up, hope all goes well for you ttc. I agree, how long can lives be put on pause...??
@Whiffle77 many congrats! But what a time to find out, must have been a bit scary initially!! Thanks for clarifying the guidelines, I suspected (hoped) this would be the case, but I suppose I've become a bit apprehensive as to what the recent loosening of guidelines might mean!
@Sailor2009 haha love the persistence!! Good to hear they seem to be giving conception the nod!
@PlanBea sorry to hear you've not had an easy ttc journey so far. Its really heartening to hear you're continuing, wishing you all the best with it x
@mongoosebaby congrats on your happy news. I understand your reservations about scans etc. I know it's not exactly the same but would you look into a private scan so you and partner can 'meet' baby together? Xx

It's a difficult decision and I understand your uncertainty.

We started TTC when I had just turned 34. I was fit and healthy and had perfect 28 day cycles so I thought we wouldn't have any problems even though I was in my 30s. It took us 2 and a half years to conceive.

I think if it was me I'd still go ahead as planned. It's not possible to know what will happen but as far as I know pregnant women still got all the usual maternity services, even at the virus peak, but obviously delivered in a different way.

We paused TTC in March and April, but started again in May. I'm now 8 weeks. I'm approaching 40 though so it was now or never really. I'm glad it's not my first baby though as antenatal care is quite disrupted in my area. Not really looking forward to going to a scan alone, especially at my age with the higher risks.

I've been off contraception since January 2019, I was just about getting to be referred for further tests when covid happened (though in January I got a new job and we were holding off on the appointment at least until I would get SMP from my new job in March... Then, well, you know). We've been trying every month but at the moment it's not been very promising.

I'm the main earner in a secure job but we have a comfortable savings bubble, we're already struggling and we're in our 30s so there was no way we were going to stop TTC, just not with the additional help we thought we were going to get. If by September (full mat benefits) we still don't have progress we'll push with the doctors again, irrespective of what's happening with covid.

@Greyhoundgirly thank you so much. The nurse who removed mine said they had been given updated guidelines at the end of May and that TTC was accepted as a reason for removal. It's possible they were just sick of me calling every week to ask though.

I found out I was pregnant the day after lockdown started, the guidance to me is pretty clear. At the moment pregnant people up to 28 weeks are classed as vulnerable, but all that means is that you have to follow social distancing/handwashing etc. - so exactly the same as everyone else has to! You dont have to isolate or shield, unless there are other health conditions.
After 28 weeks you need to be more careful, but again no need to shield.

Mumsnet has a link to the latest rcog and midwife advice.

It's not an ideal time to be pregnant but it could be worse. This is going to be around for awhile I think, and if I hadn't fallen pregnant I wouldve carried on ttc.

The likely risks to mum and baby are not high (again, unless you have other health conditions), they are just being careful. Most pregnant women who get it will get a mild version, in the same way most of the rest of the public will.

I am in a very similar boat to you - we were originally planning to start trying in April but when this all kicked off we considered hanging fire. Now we are further down the line, we're going to start trying - yes, there are potential risks from a second wave but I think we are now in a better position when it comes to knowing how to handle it, and I feel quite confident that my company would let me work from home indefinitely if that became necessary.

Ultimately we have no idea when this whole COVID situation will be over (or if it ever really will!) and also no idea how long it will take to conceive - I'm not prepared to put my life on hold indefinitely. I have just this afternoon managed to get an appointment to get my nexplanon implant out, so as of next week so not long until we can get started!

@Sailor2009 good luck to you in your ttc journey. Also, I feel a bit more optimistic hearing that they've started removing coils... Feels like a green light?!

@JoeExoticsTiger sounds like a good plan, build a little money pot and look forward to your lovely wedding next year! Totally understand the mixed emotions, it's entirely possible to be 100% happy for a friends baby news whilst also feeling a pang of envy (or at least I think it's normal!!)

@Sanch1 many many congrats to you, enjoy!! Xx

We decided to carry on as planned. I am 12 weeks today! We're both on the older side so didn't want to wait.

@Greyhoundgirly @Lagirl20 thank you for your kind words! It’s strange isn’t it, as I feel disappointed in myself for getting upset/jealous, and I’m also very happy for the people involved. Totally weird emotions! But I think it’s just been a tough year so far and I feel like everyone else is getting on with life and ours is on hold for the foreseeable...

I think maybe what we could do is ‘prepare’ to TTC, eg. Track cycles, eat healthily, exercise more, save a pot of money for future mat leave, take multi vitamins etc... at least then it will be a bit more positive.

We started this month. Originally our plan was to start in April but my doctors stopped doing coil removals when lockdown started and only started doing them again at the beginning of June.

@newphoneswhodis very true. All the best to you x