TTC during COVID

[bestwisheskindregards]

Hi all. This is my first post here! Nice to meet you all!

For anyone who is currently TTC, how did you decide whether to go for it during COVID?

I thought I was pregnant this month (out of the ordinary timing of some PMS symptoms) and I felt incredibly disappointed when I got a BFN but I also felt relieved due to concerns about COVID maternity care. I haven’t started TTC yet but thinking I might’ve been pregnant has made me realise HOW MUCH I want it and I’m trying to decide whether we hold off for a bit longer or just go for it.

Prior to COVID, early next year would’ve been when we would start TTC but I’m just not sure now due to the idea of being alone a lot during appointments and after the birth as I’ll be a FTM and I’m a pretty anxious person! Plus a part of me would be sad that I’d miss out on some ‘first time’ things.

I have absolutely no judgement for anyone who is - I’m just hoping some other viewpoints will help me decide If I had been trying for a long time or if I was older, I’m sure there would be no question - I’d just go for it. I’m currently 29 and new to this!

Thanks in advance for any thoughts!

We decided to try's for 2nd dc late summer as 1st dc turned 2 in June, we always wanted two children and had always said we would try when ds was 2yrs and as you can never tell how long it will take to fall. Talked Dh into trying with the promise of months of lots of sex ( fell on 2nd cycle) very lucky I know.
Lucky our hospital is good and covid restrictions are not to bad, he can come to all scans ( we still had private ones to). I'm also a high risk pregnancy so have been seen by consultant every two weeks and need to have an cervical stitch. Covid hasn't impacted the care I have received at all. Only thing that has been different is not seeing midwife until much later.

I would say look at the hospital you would like to book at and see what covid rules have been put Into place and see if that impacts ur decision.

I do feel that if u want a child there is never a perfect time will always be something that comes up new house new job etc and also never know how long it will ttc xx

Hi everyone

Thanks @boymum88 for your insight.

I've wanted to ttc since losing my first baby in Nov 2019 but covid didn't help last year. I don't want to wait any longer so your reply is really helpful.

I am in a similar situation such that I'd need consultant care and a cervical stitch. Could you maybe privately tell me if we're nearby? I'll be near Leeds Teaching Hospital - is the care the same there?

Kind regards
Hafsa

Hi @Mysleepingangel sadly im not close I'm in Cambridge but I know leeds has one of the best incompetent cervix specialist about mr Simpson. If you join incompetent cervix uk - pregnancy related on fb, you will find loads of info and lady's close to you or under his care, people travel for hours just to see him. I know he also sees lady's while/before ttc to make sure they have a plan in place that have had previous probs with cervix xx
Any questions feel free to ask xx

Ahh I'm in the same position as you OP. Trying to decide whether to go for it or wait a little longer. Our son turned 1 in October and we were due to get married this spring and we're planning ttc after the wedding. Covid really is messing with everything isn't it.

@boymum88

Yes I will be under his care and we have a plan now to follow! He is brilliant and I feel lucky to be nearby :)

have you had the same care as you'd imagine before this pandemic?
I am desperate to try again but am feeling like this covid situation won't help. Any advice?

Thank you and keep us updated on your pregnancy journey.

@Mysleepingangel tbh the care I have had has been great so far, my consultant is lovely, got seen at 10+5 had to push to be seen that early but once they spoke to consultant she was happy to see me early, cervix was 2.6cm at 10 weeks so short so agreed to place stitch at 13+5, which went well just had to stop in one night, then been seen every 2-3 weeks and is now 3.2 at 24+5 weeks so holding well,
I'm normally a front line healthcare work so tbh covid and pregnancy has work in my favour, I have been off either on special leave or sick leave for most of my pregnancy so have been able to take things really slowly and just cook this baby, hopefully to term 🤞
I sort of having the mentality that I've been though worse of having a baby at 28 weeks in a foreign county ( not by choice) so can deal with most things that come our way, yes things may not be perfect but when is life ?

@boymum88 thank you for your reply!

That's nice that you have been seen and are doing well. I've learned that you need to be armed with knowledge before you see anyone so you can ask informed questions.

I am currently training to be a teacher so my initial plan was to try in April because I'd be near the end of my training which will help when it comes to placing a stitch and taking it easy. I'm now thinking about trying now because I'll be going in school but it'll be quite easier compared to what it would have been. However, if we come out of the lockdown and everything goes back to normal in Feb/March, it might be difficult then to juggle full time teaching (as it'll be more responsibility towards the end of my training) and standing etc while having the stitch because I'll be paranoid the whole time.

Sorry I've ranted, I just wanted to get your insight as I feel it is helping me 🙈
The wait would be only a few months, but I have such a strong urge to try ASAP.

Lots of love to you and your bump

@bestwisheskindregards I'm sorry I've sabotaged your thread! I hope you don't mind

It's hard can't really answer if you should try now or wait, but failing quick is not a given but then it could happen so you have to weight up what would be best if u did get a bfp quickly xx

We started trying at the end of 2019.
When the first Covid lockdown happened in March we put our plans on hold due to the fear of the unknown, risks of covid, losing our jobs etc etc.
Towards the end of 2020 we have realised that covid isn't going away and we need to just follow our dreams of starting a family.
I am 26 and husband is 30 so I'm hoping that we get pregnant soon but no luck so far.
We need to get pregnant before April to have a baby by the end of this year so realistically it will probably be next year before we are welcoming a baby into our family.
If you really want a baby I say go for it, there will always be something in the way!
Best of luck

We decided to TTC despite the pandemic. Our theory was that if everyone waits then it will have a horrible knock on effect on the school year intake and the number of children vs number of places.

Plus, maternity services (although altered slightly) are still broadly speaking around the same levels as usual. If everyone puts off having babies they'll be quiet for now, and then suddenly will end up completely swamped when everyone starts to decides it's 'safe' to have a baby.

Also, if this past year taught me one thing, it's that you don't know what's round the corner. For me having a second baby soon and 'completing' our family was more important than waiting for a potential perfect future date. We started trying in the run up to Christmas and got my BFP last week.