Right or wrong? negative press about September births

[foxcote90]

Would love to know your feelings on this. Husband and I are considering TTC for baby number two at end of December. Nothing to do with anything other than we feel we're ready and with lockdown potentially continuing for a while then I'd rather deal with morning sickness when we can't see anyone anyway.

However on social I've seen quite a bit of content around midwifes and health workers saying please be responsible and don't have a baby in September as it's their busiest period and they're usually overwhelmed.

Is it irresponsible to try in December in your opinion or do you think we should crack on regardless?

Would also love to know what experience you had if you had a baby around September from health workers / midwifes etc. We had a home birth with number one and would hope for another but then I suppose if they're super busy they can't guarantee someone would be available...

Thanks

@BitchyHen

The day with the highest birth rate is 16th September - 9 months after peak time for Xmas parties. I don't think it will be such a problem this year somehow.

I thought it was the 26th September? I've seen articles saying it is the day of highest births (and I remember, as it is my birthday!)

Ha ha! I work in obstetric theatres, and mid to late September is absolutely silly season for people having babies. We don't mind though, people are always going to have fun over Christmas and New Year. I myself was due 25th September (corresponds to ovulation around New Year's eve/day btw. I was on Clomid and didn't want to miss the cycle). I missed the busy period though as I needed an early induction. Early September was surprisingly quiet.

There's another spike in November btw. Funnily enough, it falls about 9 months after Valentine's Day.

I had my DD in September on the most common day to be born - it was actually in the paper later than week that it had been a huge spike in births and was a record number. Admittedly the wards were busy, and I had difficulty getting through on the phone when in labour (which was a bit stressful). But I still got a water birth and good quality care. The midwives being busy meant it took Us a little longer to be discharged because nobody was available for the paperwork, but that seemed to be the only issue.

That's fucking stupid
Get pregnant whenever you feel is right for you

This. Can’t believe we’re being told when we can and can’t get pregnant now

I’m a midwife and say these things in jest - people can have babies whenever they want to! Yes it’s busy in September but it’s also busy many other times throughout the year.

Had my first on 14th September last year ( 2 weeks overdue!) and didn't notice it particularly busy but I guess I had nothing to compare it to. I had no one in the beds next to me on the second night in the post natal ward though!

I find picking what month you'll have a baby utterly unrealistic tbh. There are so many variables that you cant control. Its not just about the date sperm meets egg.

If you want to have a baby at a specific time of year, it'd be more realistic to aim for 'a winter baby', 'a spring baby' etc.

Strange thing to say. DD was born over New Years and the birth unit was so busy someone gave birth on the antenatal ward I was on.

Y second was born in March. (2013)
Due to a spike locally, they had to double the amount of midwives clinics at the local GP. The babies were born Jan-June. (Including 5 on my street!)
You never know when the busy periods will be.

Is this really an issue? Midwives told me that you couldn't always predict if and when my son was born in November it was one of the busiest times.

Generally July- early October is busy.

I really wouldn't hold off because of that. There's a strong chance you won't get a September baby anyway.

@Jellybean100

I’m a midwife and say these things in jest - people can have babies whenever they want to! Yes it’s busy in September but it’s also busy many other times throughout the year.

What are the quietest times generally, December and jan?

The posts about September being busy are meant to be jokes for HCP, they aren't serious!

@RainbowCookie

I’m confused are people more likely to have September babies as they were conceived at Christmas when everyone has a few days off and a few drinks, or is it because people are aiming for a September birthday so their kids ate the oldest in the year? I have a September baby although where I live this makes her one of the youngest in her year.

I think both.

I had a September baby, the hospital situation wasn’t ideal and I didn’t get my epidural in part because it was so busy (part because of speed of labour).
I was meant to be induced and had to wait days for a bed. My induction didn’t work and I had a spontaneous labour anyway. After birth I had to wait in the delivery room for 12hrs as no beds on ward.
I still had a hugely positive experience but I’d probably not plan a September baby.

Do what you feel is right! It took us 2.5 years to conceive so you don't when you will fall pregnant! You can't plan these things unfortunately. My baby was due in August, but I had to have her early so she was a July baby and it was busy! My sister has just had a November baby and it was quiet! You just can't predict x

I had an August baby and when I phoned up when I was in labour they told me to phone back later as they were full and they might have to send me elsewhere.

As a teacher, I can tell you with years of experience that most (not all) Autumn babies find the first half of primary easier. Midwives might hate me for saying that though...

We wanted to avoid a summer baby and I was worried that if we aimed for September the baby might be premature and born in August, so waited for an October birthday. Conceived second cycle so baby was actually born in November. It was really busy - maybe because conception actually took place around Valentine’s Day! But wasn’t a problem. Don’t factor that into your plans!

Look you conceive when you conceive. Don’t over think this. The type of women who conceive immediately in the first attempt are really, really rare.

I had two January babies - hospital was so quiet for both of them. No one wants a Jan birthday lol

My niece is a September baby but was meant to be an August baby as my sister went overdue. These things aren't an exact science.

I had a September full moon baby. The maternity ward was full to bursting that night and people arriving after me were sent elsewhere.

I have a child with sept 17th birthday.

She was 8 weeks preemie but the wards were full to bursting and I couldn’t get in my own consultants ward for 2 days. Also the amount of birthdays that week is ridiculous I’m always skint in September.

However I wouldn’t worry when you’re trying to conceive, as you see from me you’re never going to get or miss a particular time.