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.......

1. No pregnant women have died from corona virus in fact noone younger than 9 has died

2. studies have been done on pregnant women in china 3rd trimester women who catch covid -19 did not have adverse outcomes neither did their babies HOWEVER there is little data on 1st and 2nd trimester women

Currently pregnant with twins ( nearly 29 weeks) and this is stressful but at least the end is in sight I personally wouldnt start trying now until we get more idea of how things are likely to pan out

at least the end is in sight

Is this a joke ?

My friend is being trained this week to go onto a ward environment from a community team with zero ward experience just in case it is necessary to redeploy. Just because it hasn't happened in our lifetime doesn't mean it won't now.

I think if it turns out the virus caused deficiencies or abnormalities resulting in severe damage or distress for the child the guilt would be the least of your worries.

My worry is more around the state of the NHS and not being to access help. It’s terrifying.

As @Fizzl says it's very si ilar to other viruses such as Sars and other coronavirus and also flu. I'm a scientist and have done some research into this and I'm happy to continue

I'm 40 1/2 and we've already been trying for 7 months, we aren't delaying

@Fantasiaa no I don't believe it's a joke. China is getting back to work therefore it's not going to last indefinitely. Yes I appreciate that the worst is yes to come for us but the fact that China is reopening is a positive sign

@wohdk I think the science / medical guys at the press conference said it was more prudent for women in 3rd trimester to isolate. Less of a concern for 1st and 2nd

Hi OP,
Thanks for starting this thread, it's really good to hear everyone's views.
I turned 40 recently and have been TTC for the past year. First IVF round resulted in a MMC in December so since last month we have been trying to conceive ourselves for a while to see what happens.
I don't have any option to delay at my age and feel that this virus doesn't change that. DH and I are continuing on regardless.
My feeling is that the NHS is continually under pressure be it the yearly flu outbreaks and / or lack of funding, I know this is a largely unprecedented situation with CV but nonetheless there is never a good time for the NHS.
We intend TTC for my next 3 cycles and if no luck go for a second cycle of IVF, assuming the hospital is still able to go ahead depending on the status of CV.
I feel that If I don't try everything I can to have a baby I will deeply regret it. CV or no CV.
Good luck everyone with your choices, don't let anyone else deter you from your gut instincts.

@claireb707 no I heard them say that there is only research currently in the third trimester and not the first and second. Therefore they want to take a precaution until they know more and advise all pregnant women to do the 12 weeks isolation from the weekend (or whenever they announce).

I don't have time to wait but I'm scared to death with the news coming out of Italy and the reports this morning about how our health system will be inundated. I had an ectopic previously and now am high risk for another so I am really scared that I need another op there will be no-one to do it

I will regret it though I'm sure if ultimately it means no more kids but I think you have to make the best decision based on what you know at the time

@ChipsAreLife that’s how I heard it too although I think advice is to consider isolating from now? No research yet on 1st and 2nd trimester but all research on 3rd trimester is encouraging that it’s not transmitted from mother-baby (no virus found in umbilical cord, placenta etc). Other virus’ from same family (SARS and MERS) are more extensively studied and also show no vertical transmission so it’s very very unlikely we’re going to have a zika type situation on our hands. Which is reassuring as I’m in my 2ww!!

Yes, we were going to start TTC in May/June but definitely holding off now.

We've stopped trying and having the coil fitted today. Completely understand people who are continuing but since we aren't in a rush and this was our first month trying we're going to wait.

I’m in my mid 30s. I’m not waiting. I only have a 15-20% chance of getting pregnant every month.

We've decided to put it on hold for now. I'm 35 and have 1 dc so understand others feel differently if older and/or no dc

From a midwife in another thread.

"OP I am in exactly the same boat. To be honest, I have no intention of stopping work, my asthma is very mild and well controlled and honestly, I have resigned myself to getting this virus at some point anyway. I am also concerned about childcare etc and being redeployed into the hospital as our services have been hugely cut already - no more homebirths, bf support, antenatal classes etc"

I'm a little concerned. I had a miscarriage in January and got my first AF end of February and started TTC straight away. But the last few days I've decided to put it on hold for now. The thing is I could have caught already, which normally I would be excited about, but now I'm actually hoping I've not. It's hard to know what to do for best. I'm 33 so I'm able to wait I suppose, I have 2DS already. But I understand why people who don't have time on their side want to continue to try.

Things are changing daily and it's such a surreal situation at the moment. such a tough call for everyone to have to make.

We are on cycle 8 and have no intention of stopping trying. I probably won't fall pg anyway so no harm in keep trying.

I put it off for long enough already.

It's been announced in the news today that anyone having ivf should delay or freeze embryos (if alrssdy started treatment) and my ivf clinic have said its likely our treatment won't go ahead at the end of adpil. Absolutely devastated. Also said anyone TTC should delay. Yes, like we all have time to do that.

*April

I've just had a quick look at what it's saying in the news and can only find 2 articles - one in the sun and one in the daily mail. So I looked at where they had got their info from and it's here: www.eshre.eu/Press-Room/ESHRE-News#CoronaStatement27feb

It seems pretty clear that they are advising couples considering IVF to postpone as a precautionary measure because some women in China gave birth prematurely. I presume this advice is to give couples who have struggled with fertility the best shot at a completely healthy/uncomplicated pregnancy. Or it could be because they're trying to reduce the amount of strain on the nhs at the minute? Not sure, I'm guessing at that.

There is no advice about people ttc or postponing ttc. The article is re-empathising again that at the minute there are no known considerable risks and the advice is very much precautionary because of how little they know.

Hope that helps, didn't want people to start panicking just yet!

The increased risk of potential premature birth, if confirmed, would apply to all pregnancies, not just to IVF pregnancies. It's too early to say whether it is indeed increased due to CV.

The IVF cycles are cancelled because a) the risks are unknown, b) why add more risk of negative outcomes to pregnancies in situations where people have struggled already and their chances are limited, c) staff will be called into CV patients, and possibly private clinics will be converted too.

Hardly the best time to TTC right now in view of the above if both public and private gynae/ob/fertility teams will be affected.

Best to wait for more research first at least.

@JeanieInABottle

I’m also interested in whether the birth rate will increase a bit in 9 months. I think there more than likely be a lot of pregnancies resulting from couples and families having to isolate as well as a lack of anything else going on in general. However, there will more than likely be those who cancel TTC plans and becoming extra cautious in light of everything happening. Also I imagine now a lack of new relationships forming from socialising, night life, online dating etc etc, no flings and one night stands as well!

I am 27, but we have been trying since jan 2019, so just carrying on at normal

I disagree there will be a baby boom. Most people I know are worried about money, job security, nhs strain. To get pregnant right now would be disastrous for many people. I am waiting and hoping for my period to arrive and will definitely stop TTC if it does. I am in my 30s and do not have that much time on my side but feel it would be irresponsible to continue trying in these circumstances.