Fewer Babies?

[TheCatsBlanket]

Not sure if this has been discussed before, sorry if it has but with the lockdown from late March, I was wondering if there will be fewer babies born at the beginning of 2021? I don't mean babies born to those who live together / married, but rather from the lack of new relationships starting up.
Worldwide there has to be fewer pregnancies doesn't there. Any medical folk here who can answer this?

[User158340]

@Namechangedforthisoct2

I think the opposite and there’s going to be a baby boom

Like there aren't enough people on the planet already.

[Bikingbear]

Sheep and Cow,
My logic has is the biggest issue the UK has is not investing and training enough young people.
Far too many end up in minimum wage no qualifications jobs, they struggle to get full-time work, and then they are being propped up by the benefits system.

It's easy to say we have a shortage of nurses, teachers, doctors, joiners, bricklayer, steelfixers but why the heck are we not training more?

And actually if the population drops a little that also solves the housing crisis, we don't have enough houses, so you either build more or have less people.

Yes you need working age people to pay for the retired people. But working age people are also paying for other working age people who are reliant on benefits because they have part time hours in a minimum wage job. Or they are run ragged trying to work 3 jobs.

[IceCreamAndCandyfloss]

I'd also be interested to see what trends there are in the number of marriages in the coming years

I think there will be far less that get married.

Many want their “big day” so won’t bother if they can’t have that. Which really is a good thing imo as marriage is about so much more.

[Nicknamegoeshere]

I had a baby late May, conceived of course before Covid was an issue. I personally would have put ttc on hold had I known (even though I'm 40 now) because maternity leave during the lockdowns has been horrendous.

[User158340]

It's easy to say we have a shortage of nurses, teachers, doctors, joiners, bricklayer, steelfixers but why the heck are we not training more?

Because the masses are packing off to Uni at 18 to get useless degrees instead.

[Nicknamegoeshere]

@IceCreamAndCandyfloss I agree. I'm excited to hopefully be marrying while the restrictions are still on (just waiting for a slight easing) - the guest limitations will be a huge bonus!

[user1477391263]

As I understand, the BMA not the government restricts who and how many can train as doctors, nurses and the like, and as this organization is basically a trade union it is in their interest to restrict numbers.

[SheepandCow]

@User158340

It's easy to say we have a shortage of nurses, teachers, doctors, joiners, bricklayer, steelfixers but why the heck are we not training more?

Because the masses are packing off to Uni at 18 to get useless degrees instead.

That's thanks to Tony Blair's:
'Education Education Education'

[SheepandCow]

@Bikingbear

Sheep and Cow,
My logic has is the biggest issue the UK has is not investing and training enough young people.
Far too many end up in minimum wage no qualifications jobs, they struggle to get full-time work, and then they are being propped up by the benefits system.

It's easy to say we have a shortage of nurses, teachers, doctors, joiners, bricklayer, steelfixers but why the heck are we not training more?

And actually if the population drops a little that also solves the housing crisis, we don't have enough houses, so you either build more or have less people.

Yes you need working age people to pay for the retired people. But working age people are also paying for other working age people who are reliant on benefits because they have part time hours in a minimum wage job. Or they are run ragged trying to work 3 jobs.

I agree. Except that I'd add in middle-aged and older workers. People made redundant after 50 are all to often left to languish on unemployment benefits until they reach pension age. They're overlooked by employers in favour of younger (cheaper) employees.

Retraining opportunities should be available - and a push to tackle the widespread age discrimination.

[BeingATwatItsABingThing]

@User158340

It's easy to say we have a shortage of nurses, teachers, doctors, joiners, bricklayer, steelfixers but why the heck are we not training more?

Because the masses are packing off to Uni at 18 to get useless degrees instead.

You need a degree for at least 3 of those.

[SleepingStandingUp]

@TheCatsBlanket

Thanks for all the answers and points of view. An interesting thought though to wonder what percentage of babies born in any normal year (just thinking UK as opposed to worldwide) are the result of new relationships or one night stands that would ordinarily have occured if pubs/clubs had been open and holidays abroad had been allowed where the booze flows freely.

I did think it might drive down the teenage pregnancy rate,

[jambeforeclottedcream]

I know several babies due January- February far more than usual

But agree with OnlyFoolnMothers in that there will be fall as people won't be able to form relationships

[Rabbitholebonkers]

Depends. My sister waited absolutely months to get her implant renewed and my best friend is having the same predicament. Large city too. There will be some unplanned ones with the state of sexual health services at the minute.

[Bikingbear]

Retraining opportunities should be available - and a push to tackle the widespread age discrimination.

That's so true. People need opportunities to retrain, and financial support to do it. Particularly if we want people to work to 68, they need work people can actually do. Many manual workers struggle with arthritis and dodgy joints to 65 nevermind 68.

[Guineapigbridge]

A population that has a very high number of older people who don't work and who have high medical need and a very low number of working, tax-paying young people will struggle massively.

Perhaps this pandemic has a purpose

[Guineapigbridge]

Callous. But nature always seems to have a way.