Trying for a baby and Coronavirus

[Sauerkrauted]

Interested to see what others think. My DH and I were planning on trying for a baby from next month, once I remove my IUD. However, with Coronavirus I’m wondering:

1. Will it be possible to book an appt to get IUD removed?
2. Is it even wise to go ahead with this?

I’m 32 so conscious time is ticking on and we have no idea how long this situation is going to last for...

I'm 22 weeks and I would say wait. I had to spend 2 hrs this morning seeing a consultant and midwife at the hospital, then I had to go back in the afternoon for a blood test and pick up a prescription.

I felt so anxious being at the hospital. And I've got to go back next week. Then two appointments in April.
My GP has closed so appointments will now be at the hospital. It's so stressful.

I'd definitely wait if I were you.

I feel paralysed by this decision. I’m 33 - can I afford to wait a year? But would it be stupid to try?

On balance i would say wait, but I will admit that if this had happened when I was about to start ttc with my eldest it probably wouldn’t have stopped. Not sure if you’ll be able to get the IUD out any time soon though.

I'm 30 , we were going to start trying in a month or two but think I will leave to this time next year and reassess the situation, I feel I have time as this isn't my first , also I get severe sickness and would worry about no access to medication or treatment for that ,my previous pregnancy was consultant lead and lots of scans/appointments, I think I would just be on edge the whole time.

Definitely wait, 18 weeks here and things are scary with the confirmation I have to attend appointments alone (high risk) and may have to deliver alone also. Then may be bringing a baby into this shot show.

*shit

WAIT!!

I'm due my first in a couple of weeks and I cannot describe the worry and anxiety. We're not only worried about the virus and its affects on pregnancy or newborns, we're also worried about job security and what the socioeconomic landscape will look like in 6 months time. I'm worried that the hospital won't have the resource to support properly when I go into labour, or god forbid, if the baby or I need special care or extra support, we just won't get it.

I'm worried about raising a child in isolation without contact with other children and family members. I'm worried about food shortages - formula and nappies are sold out everywhere now.

Already I can't get the routine care I need such as blood tests, I can only imagine it's going to get worse. I'd really really recommend that you don't go ahead.

Obviously I wouldn't wish my pregnancy away, but our timing is atrocious.

I would give it some time. I work in sexual health. Our clinic is booking absolutely no one face to face for the foreseeable future, unless it was something really serious (like untreated syphillis). GP surgery also closed to face to face appointments. You can remove your own coil but honestly I’d just leave it a few months. You couldn’t pay me to go to a hospital right now and I needed scans from 8 weeks with all of my pregnancies.

I was all for going ahead last week. This week, as the situation had developed, I'm saying fuck no. I have an undiagnosed gynae issue and don't ovulate so my chances are incredibly slim in the first place. But I won't be actively trying now.

If I were in your position, I'd seriously think about leaving it until you're more likely to have a summer baby - would you really be happy giving birth/possibly needing a section right in the middle of normal flu season, never mind normal flu season PLUS the next winter spike of this?

Wait.

Surely it would be too stressful to purposeful become pregnant and then risk getting covid. You would be putting your needs before that of your future child.

Why would anyone want to have a baby now of all times?? Given the state of the world, I’m skipping it altogether!

I agree with a lot of the comments on here. I think there are so many reasons why it would be in your best interest to wait and re-assess in a month or two at least.

I am currently 11 weeks pregnant and I have to say the current situation is very concerning. I’m lucky enough to be able to work from home and work in an industry that is unlikely shut down unless government say there must be a complete lock down, but as this might be a possibility it is still worrying, and we are looking at things we can do financially in case the worst happens.

Also, I am due to have my first scan next week and I am worried about having to go to the hospital. Not only that but I have heard that some women haven’t been allowed to have their partners in their scans due to the increased risk of spreading the virus, which I totally understand, but it is a shame that dads are having to be shut out of a moment that is very special. I dont think the experience of being pregnant is going to be the same at the moment.

I would also hate to be in the middle of the 1st trimester while being in lockdown. I know not everyone has the same experience but I personally struggled through mine with exhaustion and sickness, and there were a lot of times I just felt absolutely miserable and down. Now I am nearing the end of the 1st trimester those horrible symptoms are starting to fade and I’m feeling a lot more able to cope with what is happening now. But going out to dinner and socialising with friends and family really helped lift my spirits during those times and that is something I wouldn't be able to do now.

I think for your financial, physical and mental wellbeing it would be safest to just hold off a few more months at least, when hopefully the situation may have calmed down and life is a bit more secure. You’re only 32, you’ve got time.

Thanks everyone, it’s been really useful to hear thoughts. It wasn’t like we thought a pandemic would be a great time to start a family. We had been planning to start in April for a while now but unfortunately this doesn’t seem to be on the cards now!

It's so tough to wait op. But honestly don't panic about your age. You are young yet. Even waiting three months (will seem like forever I know) but we all need to be sensible. X

No routine appointments. I’m due a smear but know I won’t get one for 6 months plus as GPs have already emailed telling us that.

I think it's wise to wait before TTC but personally I would switch to contraception that I could control. I wouldn't like the idea of having an IUD and being dependent on being able to get an appointment to remove it. You might not be able to get an appointment now but if the rules are relaxed at any point in the next 6 months I would get an appointment and get it removed. Then use alternative contraception like the pill which you can easily just stop taking if and when you decide to TTC.

It sucks to be pregnant atm but if this goes on for a year there's only so long so you can put your life on hold. So I would be reassessing in the autumn.

I’m currently 30 weeks, even though at the time we obviously had no idea what would happen I wish it had taken longer for us to conceive (and I don’t say that lightly, it took over 8 months and fertility meds) if we hadn’t of already conceived by the time the virus looked like it was spreading we would have waited. I’m scared, not just of the virus and possible affects on the baby both inside and outside my uterus, but because of the recession that WILL hit us afterwards. No ones job is safe and I’m scared of the implications.

Please wait, 32 is NOT too old and 34-35 will be fine

@BrokenBrit I'm overdue a smear and have been looking to pay for one as a one off

My baby is due in 10 days and I'm terrified.
I'd definitely wait if I were you.
Had I known this pandemic was coming I would have waited myself. It's not a good time to be having kids

Another thought. Are you hoping to have more than one child?

Personally I would consider getting a fertility check up (for both of you) before putting TTC on hold for a long time.

A healthy couple in their early 30s still have plenty of time. But if you wait a few years and then struggle to conceive, you may be lucky to have one child and then it might be too late to have more.

Surely in 9 months time this will all be over

Totally wait.

Surely in 9 months time this will all be over

Possibly? Probably? The actual virus, hopefully. But the effect on the economy, people's jobs, incomes, the NHS, the world in general? No. We will just be starting to pick up the pieces.

At your age OP I would wait. If I was late 30s or over I would TTC now.