Is anyone putting TTC on hold because of corona?

[Namechanger0800]

My DH has suggested it might be prudent while we see what happens with the pandemic? I think pg women have reduced immune systems and then there's obv increasing pressure on health services which worries me about impact on other care incl. maternity services

But then I'm in my 40s.......

Yes very much September and I think there was a peak in birth rate around 9 months from the beast from the east snow storms!?

It’s crazy that we are even having to consider the impact of this on longer term decisions though isn’t it?
My OH has been worried about losing his job and being made redundant if it impacts the economy, therefore not wanting to commit to our house renovations etc .

So much to think about but do we really need to put our lives on hold?!

I just don't see why people with coronavirus will get priority over all others in urgent need? Will they stop treating people in a&e then too? Those with sepsis? Kids with cancer? Those really unwell with CV need ventilators and respiratory care there is only so much of those machines that we can provide. That is the main strain in the likes of Italy.

Yes of course worse case scenario no one will get any health care at all but I'm not sure why maternity would be first to go. Unless it's because women are second class citizens which is grim. Non urgent operations, things like my DDs paeds apps, IVF etc will go first. Then maybe they'll limit GP services and move those staff over.

I'm not trying to kid myself it's going to be smooth sailing but I'm looking at logically. There are thousands of women like me who are already pregnant what choice to we have but to get on with it.

Completely agree birth rates will go up

I am a general adult nurse & definitely cannot see how they could possibly take midwives from maternal care in order to care for those with respiratory issues/CV. It is a completely different job role.

I do have some concerns about TTC throughout all of this, however lack of midwives to provide care isn’t one of them. I have been trying for a while now and it hasn’t happened as yet so although I am young, myself and DH aren’t going to withhold on TTC!

I read a psychic had written a book 15ish years ago stating a viral pandemic would take over the world in 2020 and then disappear just as quick, so I’m holding out hope that this is accurate (ha!) 😂🤞🏼

I think my dh will also say to wait

I thought about it and we aren't having any luck with ttc at the moment , been off pill simce end of July and absolutely nothing. So I'm just going with the flow , if it happens it happens.

We are going to keep trying, I'm now working from home for the foreseeable (work decided this on Friday) so if it happened it would mean I wouldn't have to hide early symptoms (morning sickness) but I do wonder what the implications would be over appointments etc but until pregnancy happens there's no point thinking of it.

I'm delaying my fertility treatment but I have underlying health stuff so want to avoid hosp

We're cancel our wedding in May - we were ttc from next month onwards but no way i want to risk it.
It is a new virus so no one actually knows the consequences of being pregnant, especially in the early stages of the fetus developing.

Sadly i have personal experience of when things go very wrong. My uncle was born blind and deaf due to contracting German Measles in the womb, his mum caught when she was only 5 weeks pregnant with him.
The biggest tragedy is that he is extremely vulnerable and if he gets COVID 19 he'll die. So a virus basically ruined his life and has come again to probably kill him 70 years later.

I’m glad there is a thread on this.
I’ve been Ttc a while now and my period is due next week. I’m actually hoping it comes. I don’t think I want to pregnant right now. If my period does come I will go back to contraception.

@Stef92 good point made about being able to stay indoors and hide first trimester easier.

Yukaplantpot I never thought about the unknown effects on the baby but that is a very good point. Remember the Zika virus that has caused brain development problems in 100's of babies who's mums caught it.

My advice to delay if you had time on side was all about pregancy lowering resistance. And the risk of the NHS being overwhelmed including limits on being able to get treatment if people need to be put on oxygen with pneumonia.

I also worry about scans, transmission to the fetus- it’s not that far from me that the newborn has been born with corona :( and the state of the NHS. Scary tunes.

@yellowflower22 we've been trying since June last year for our first child so we aren't going to stop because of this, if it happens it happens and we'll deal with it. My aunty is a nurse and she knows we are trying and she hasn't told me to put it on hold so that's good enough for me. We aren't tracking ovulation etc though whilst this is happening though.

@Blackbear19 this was also my worry - it's the 'unknown' but I think given it's similar to a lot of other viruses where there is no known effect this is less of a worry.

The research that has been done (granted only on a handful) of newborn babies to mums with the virus has shown no crossover through the placenta (although I know there is that one case in the uk now so who knows if this is still accurate).

I think like someone else has said to me on here if there was any suspicion then the rcog wouldn't be saying no increased risk. I also spoke with a consultant at my local hospital (I didn't ring specifically about this but thought I'd mention it whilst I had the opportunity!) and they very much said at the minute there's no reason to believe it is anymore risky in pregnancy. My worry is about getting a high fever as I know this can cause developmental issues in early pregnancy.

However I am also looking for positive optimism as I've continued ttc!

I won't trust the 'reseach'.
It will be unreliable and manipulated.
For example China are saying throusands died but I'm certain they've left off a few 0's on the end
It's not just China, I do not trust our gov. They are massaging the figures not to cause panic but I guarantee that the current UK deathtoll is absolutely wrong.

I feel strongly about this, having personal experience. It is too risky.
The is absolutely NO RESEARCH on pregnant women. Reliable, medically sound research takes months and years to be tested let alone published. Anecdotal stories of women who have been fine isn't good enough.

China only realised there was an issue at the end of last year so there is absolutely no research on very early pregnancy or even pregnant women.
Look at the dates, it doesn't add up.

This is so scary and so far we're dealing with it immediately and no way is anyone able to consider the effects on specific demographics, including pregnant women.
We haven't got there yet.

I think you're playing Russia roulette if you go ahead and TTC.
I find it irresponsible.

@yuka I completely agree with you. The thought of being pregnant right now terrifies me. I’m actually praying my period comes next week, oh the irony when the months before I’ve been desperate to be pregnant and now hoping I’m not.

One thing to consider, and without wishing to add to anyone’s stress but if you are thinking of TTC it’s very relevant. Apparently for some men who have had Coronavirus it will impact on their fertility. Might be worth going ahead with it on that basis.

@Yukaplantpot I completely agree with your points about there being no research in early pregnancy and that is what worries me too but I find your statement saying it's irresponsible to continue ttc a little harsh and it's down to each individual whether or not they want to take the risk based on their circumstances.

Nobody knows how long this could continue for, it may never fully disappear. Like you've pointed out for the research to take place it's going to take years. People can't put their lives on hold forever.

I don't feel my comments are harsh in any way. I'm realistic and tbh at a time like this we need to stop being sensitive and no we can't have the attitude of its up to the individual. This is such a selfish view especially carrying on TTC when you could be creating a seriously ill baby. Trust me as someone who has experienced this in real life I couldn't care less if someone thinks I'm being a bit mean, at least I'm being selfless and sensible.

I am voicing my opinion and yes I find it irresponsible to try for a baby right now in the current situation - which I have to say is unprecedented.

Fizzl would you still think it's 'harsh' if a Doctor said don't TTC right now?
Stop being sensitive or being offended, there is no time for this now. We're not in the position where we can choose.

The way things are going you're going to have to accept that life is not going to be the same for some months and there are some harsh realities ahead.

I agree that there's not enough data available to yet confirm for certain the impact of Coronavirus on pregnancy but I think they can make a decent judgement call since it is very closely related genetically to other viruses that they do have the information on. We are going to keep TTC, I am not in a high risk group and so if I contract it I will mostly likely have mild symptoms. People have to do what they feel is right for them, I think calling some people irresponsible is a little harsh.

My grandmother contracted German measles when she was 5 weeks pregnant. She gave birth to my uncle who was born deaf and blind.
I will never be able to express how tragic this was and how angry it makes me when we actually have the choice here to do the right thing.
Everyone can call me harsh, it doesn't bother me. Until you experience it first hand you'll never appreciate how life changes forever and watching someone with such a terrible quality of life .
I find it incredibly ignorant and irresponsible just to think it'll all be ok.
For the sake of your unborn child just wait a few months at least. It's not about you it's about the quality of life for your unborn children

German measles is a different matter entirely. Which is why they insist pregnant women should have been vaccinated prior.

@Yukaplantpot I can appreciate that your personal experience has been difficult and you have seen first hand the impact of contracting an illness in early pregnancy, but measles different to this virus. It's well known that the measles virus is very dangerous in early pregnancy. This coronavirus is very similar to many other viruses and there is no evidence yet to suggest its linked to birth defects. From what I know (and I'm certainly no expert) there have been some studies around SARS and swine flu (and just your bog standard flu!) etc which are similar to this virus and although it's very limited research there doesn't appear to be any obvious connection to birth defects like measles. I do get this is a new virus so it is unknown still but it does seem so far like the risks are going to be quite small.

I get your personal experience is going to influence how you think and feel about this but I don't think it's necessarily helpful to project this on to others when at the minutes there's nothing to suggest it's going to be harmful. It will further fuel panic and anxiety, possibly unnecessarily. Especially for those who are already in the early days of a pregnancy.

There are a multitude of viruses and illnesses which we can still contract in pregnancy (including measles, chickenpox, slapcheek etc) that run the risk of causing birth defects. We will never be able to fully eliminate all risks but I do get that now seems a little more risky because of the unknown.

I guess for those that want to wait a few months to see how it plays out, it may be a sensible approach but it won't be for everyone and I don't think we should judge. Some predications expect this virus will reappear around Oct-nov and then what? Do we wait until after then? What if it's still circulating in a years time? Do we wait until research is undertaken which like you have said could take many years? It might not be as simple as just waiting a few months.

I am very much on the fence btw as I am anxious about the unknown but trying to be balanced 🤷🏼‍♀️

@Yukaplantpot I completely sympathise with your personal experience and I’m sorry that’s been the situation for your family.

Your comment questioning if it would be as harsh to be advised by your doctor to not TTC during this time makes no sense. There’s quite a significant difference being told to not conceive by a stranger on a message board in comparison to a medically trained professional in that field.

Say (hypothetically) that the coronavirus does last for a number of years, and every person on earth withholds on TTC throughout that time period..?

(I am fully aware this would be impossible however for the sake of @yuka suggesting everyone TTC whilst this is ongoing is ignorant/irresponsible I am curious as to what the proposed outcome would be if the world was to stop reproducing?)