Are others still delaying TTC because of covid?

[Lagirl20]

Hello,
We were due to start TTC this month. We decided to put it on hold when the pandemic started (general worries about being pregnant right now, contracting the virus, receiving less care, and I am asthmatic). Initially we thought we might be able to TTC in September, but we are worried about a second wave and are considering waiting until January 2021. I am 31.

I am wondering what others are doing? I'd like there to be no judgement either way on this thread please! It's a personal decision for sure but I'm curious how others feel. A big second winter wave is our main worry - we know covid will likely be around in some shape or form for a long time to come potentially.

I am tempted to TTC anyway, as I know it could take a while and we might be wasting precious months of trying. It's so difficult to know what to do!

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)

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.

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.

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

Thank you everyone for sharing your thoughts, I found it really useful - especially to know that face to face appointments are restarting!

Best of luck to those currently trying, and to those who are still holding off - we've got time on our hands to prepare and be in the best shape possible :)

I'll check back in on this thread in a month if I'm able to ressurect it. I'm making an appointment to have my copper coil removed in July and I'll go from there... one step at a time! :)

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.

@dontstandsoclose congratulations!!

Being able to hide it at the moment and take it easy at home is definitely a plus :)

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.

@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

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

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.