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.......

@peachypetite I totally agree. I’m in my 2ww anxiously waiting for my period to start. So sad as a baby is desperately wanted. My DH and I have decided to postpone TTC for a while if I’m not already pregnant. I’m in my mid-30s so feels like a gamble but hopefully will only be for a few months.

I think people are likely to be careful. I am in the 2ww. I'm 37 with no children. Next month I wasn't going to try anyway so I'll reevaluate after that. But I'm secretly thinking that if I get a BFP now it'll be bitter sweet! However, everything else in my life has gone that way so I wouldn't be shocked. Even though we've not managed it so far....

@paintfairy if you are then try and enjoy it :) All the evidence points to pregnancy being pretty safe. Being placed in high risk category is just to err on the side of caution.

If I’m pregnant this month I refuse to not feel some joy. Will just have to be extra careful.

I think its more the money/social issue that would worry me. Than getting the virus itself. I'm stressed I cant buy baked beans!

Exactly! It’s all the other things on top that make me worried.

I'm amazed people just go ahead, unless they don't have much choice due to age tbh. I just don't find the idea of being pregnant and worried about the pregnancy itself, the CV, the doctors' availability, potential job losses, money and being able to get by when everything around is collapsing appealing at all.

I was pregnant twice, sadly MCd, but being pregnant gives you enough of a worry that you've never felt before, not to mention anything else.

But maybe I'm wrong and overthinking.

I agree. This is such a worrying time.

I did a pregnancy test this morning. Period is due tomorrow. However I usually get spotting and feel cramps 3-4 days before my period. Nothing. Test is negative but in my sleepiness this morning I thought it was a first response. It’s actually a cheap boots’ own one so now I’m worried it’s not sensitive enough. GAH.

@MrsMGE well thanks for making those of us who are older and maybe don't have time to put ttc on hold feel so much better about the situation.... 😢

As if the situation isn't bad enough

I'm amazed people just go ahead, unless they don't have much choice due to age tbh. I just don't find the idea of being pregnant and worried about the pregnancy itself, the CV, the doctors' availability, potential job losses, money and being able to get by when everything around is collapsing appealing at all.

I was pregnant twice, sadly MCd, but being pregnant gives you enough of a worry that you've never felt before, not to mention anything else.

But maybe I'm wrong and overthinking

But what exactly is your issue @claireb707, the truth?

I clearly said "unless they don't have much choice due to age" meaning I'd continue if I was older because it doesn't leave much choice then.

Don't direct your sadness about the circumstances at me, we're all upset here.

Ignoring the difficult reality by not mentioning it is unhelpful.

Also the fact we're stopping leaves space and chances for better care for the older mums who hopefully will succeed with TTC and will inevitably need more care and attention. I'd be very careful with your wording @claireb707, you seem to be ignoring things very conveniently.

What a funny time this is! So many of us who are usually desperate to get a BFP now hoping for a BFN. I'm 9DPO with AF due in 6 days. I'm a medical doctor, 30yo and this is month 6 of TTC. I'll still be delighted if I get a BFP but it'll be slightly bittersweet.... and I'll have to announce it immediately so I can isolate. The 12 week isolation for pregnant women is probably not fully medically necessary but I think it should be adhered to because it makes sense to follow rules like this.

If not pregnant this month I'm going to continue TTC based on what I know about the virus. I entirely understand why people would stop TTC but I disagree that it's "irresponsible" to continue as I've seen suggested. SARS-CoV-2 (the name of the actual virus btw, COVID-19 is the term for the disease it causes) is one of a family of very similar viruses. None of these have been postulated to cause issues in the 1st trimester and the Chinese data suggesting premature labour is sketchy. There's no reason to suggest that SARS-CoV-2 would behave any differently to the others in it's family - sure, it's more virulent but it causes the same clinical presentation as the others, spreads the same way etc etc. Sure if you get a bad infection of any sort during pregnancy then that's not ideal but with isolation and care the vast, vast majority should be fine.

There are no certainties obviously, and it definitely will be a more difficult time to access GP care but midwife and obstetric care should continue. I think if time is on your side and you're anxious, then absolutely stop. But if you're 35+ and desperate to conceive I personally don't think you're being "irresponsible". Pregnancies are risky things - having an increased BMI, autoimmune problems, kidney/liver/lung/cardiac problems etc etc puts people in higher risk categories already. Sure there is some risk from SARS-CoV-2 but this virus is going to be an issue for quite a while yet.

It's an impossible situation, but we really mustn't make people who have been TTC for a long time and who are already older feel irresponsible or ashamed to continue trying. The data is just not there.

@MrsMGE no I don't have an issue with the truth but you don't have to go over the top..

Being amazed that anyone would try at the moment (I appreciate you did stick a caveat in about age) and then saying you don't find it appealing isn't helping the situation

I wasn't directing my sadness at you at all but equally saying things like you did is also unhelpful

Oh trust me @MrsMGE I am not ignoring things at all conveniently or otherwise

Maybe it's you who needs to watch your words

@Maisie17 great post!!

I'm a scientist and have looked into similar - it really isn't very dissimilar from SARS at all

From other SARS (missed a word out)

Everyone has to make the best decision for them.

I don’t think anyone has tried to make anyone feel awful for whatever decision they have decided to make.

Personally, being pregnant while a pandemic is going on, locked up in my house, struggling to access to best care and potentially being at risk from COVID-19 far outweighs having to wait. It was an easy decision for me.

For others, the risk of not being able to have a child due to age etc outweighs having to be pregnant on lockdown etc

This could go on for 18 months. I’m not waiting until I’m in my late 30s. Then there could be a new pandemic or climate change or war.

🤷🏻‍♀️

The decision is made for me this cycle as I already ovulated a few days before everything became crazy....so we will see if it pans out. I think the risk is associated with fever in early trimester and that still doesnt mean it will cause major issues.

Me and my husband are going to have a chat about what to do if we dont catch this month, we may postpone for a month or two :)

But I will be delighted if we are pregnant this month 🥰🥰🥰

I think absolutely its made worse by people saying "couldnt imagine anything worse than being pregnant at this time" or "it's a no brainer decision". I feel it takes any potential joy away so let's be careful with our words 💗💗

Thank you for your post @Maisie17, it actually offered me the first real relief from my anxiety for a while as I wait to see if I’m pregnant this month.

If I postpone for 18 months I’m seriously gambling with my chances of ever having a second child. I might postpone for a few months if I’m not already pregnant but not much longer.

Everyone has the right to say as they wish. I think there's no point in getting stressed out about people stating the facts. The world does not consist of rainbows and unicorns.

It's everyone's personal choice and we do not have to understand or agree with each other. But everyone is free to express what they think about the topic - this is what the thread is about.

Thank you @Maisie17 it's nice to hear a balanced and rational view.

I totally understand some people will chose to wait and some people won't. I think this is all the original poster was asking. Not for everyone's opinions on other people's choices during this difficult time, and for people to express such strong views around this and to be told they're irresponsible. Be kind everyone 💛.

@HeyJupiter No problem. Look, if this was a virus even vaguely related to Zika or another known "problem virus" in pregnancy I'd be the first to say STOP. But it's not. It's causing huge anxiety and of course, TTC and conceiving during this time is not without a small amount of risk. But it's a balance.

We accept risks every day in our lives, personally and reproductively - people could say someone with a BMI of 35 was irresponsible to TTC, or someone over 40yo, or someone with a family history of a significant genetic illness. I could go on. These are all known and proven risk factors. SARS-CoV-2 is currently not. The government is being cautious in the absence of any high quality evidence - and rightly so. But they're been clear, as have the RCOG, that there is no proven risk here at the moment.

If you've got health anxiety and think you're likely to panic with any symptom/change/issue in pregnancy then maybe now is not the time to TTC. But otherwise, and particularly if the clock is ticking, until there is good advice to the contrary, I think the vast majority of medics would say there's no good reason to stop!

Thanks @Maisie17 - from what you know, would you expect midwifery to be running a skeletal service for the next year or so? I'm already 10 weeks and that's my big fear as I'm high risk due to previous gestational diabetes and pre eclampsia

@YukoandHiro Anything is possible. But maternity services are essential services. I'm a cancer doctor and our service will look a little different over the next few months as we try to bring patients into hospitals less frequently but I can say with near certainty that cancer wards and clinics aren't going to suddenly boot all the cancer patients out and fill up with COVID-19 patients! Patients will continue to receive treatments. Equally women are not going to be left to give birth on the streets because all obstetric services have been diverted to the COVID-19 crisis. The odd junior doc rotating through obstetrics may need to help out, and maybe some of the consultants will too, but not to the detriment of their obstetric patients. The NHS is halting routine operations and limiting non-essential appointments but obstetric services are essential and cannot be delayed/compromised significantly.

I'd keep calm for now, mind yourself, attend your appointments and avoid panic!