Baby Boom

[kittenpeak]

Putting this on pregnancy thread as it's about the expected baby boom..

At a recent midwife appointment , they mentioned they were estimating an extra 300 babies being born in February (a fair estimate as this is based on how many women are booked in). They said that this was all the babies conceived in May, ie peak lockdown.

For context, my hospital delivers just under 400 a month so almost a 100% increase.

I am due mid March and she said it would be quieter by then, but still busier than normal. It has made me worried, but then what did I expect having a lockdown baby!

Has anyone had any similar conversations with their hospital and have they explained how they'll manage the rush?

I am due in April and at my booking in appt my midwife did mention the boom and particularly mentioned February. She didn't say how they would manage but then I didn't ask. I am slightly worried as well. Especially as the hospital I will be giving birth at are already under the biggest investigation the nhs has ever had due to the mistreatment of mothers and babies resulting in their deaths over the years.

@rumandbiscuits sounds like we’re at the same hospital but I’m due end of January. If it makes you feel better I had my first 9 years ago and it was absolutely awful, but the care I have received this time is miles better and I can’t fault them

[quote Oneandabean]@rumandbiscuits sounds like we’re at the same hospital but I’m due end of January. If it makes you feel better I had my first 9 years ago and it was absolutely awful, but the care I have received this time is miles better and I can’t fault them[/quote]
It's good to hear from someone who will also be going there. I have recently been thinking about transferring but I did have my LG there 2 years ago and although I could fault a few things they did I could also praise them for others and luckily myself and my LG were fine although going through a traumatic birth.
Can I ask how you found it awful 9 years ago?

Are you in Shropshire @rumandbiscuits

@Mother2princess

Are you in Shropshire *@rumandbiscuits*

Yes I am

I don’t know what the reality is, but I heard from someone who works in a related field that the baby boom is a myth. No statistical evidence of one. Don’t quote me, just relaying what I was told!

My hospital has almost double the amount of babies due in feb, and many more for March. Midwife said a lot of hospitals are in the same boat for feb so we'll see!

@Inkpaperstars

I don’t know what the reality is, but I heard from someone who works in a related field that the baby boom is a myth. No statistical evidence of one. Don’t quote me, just relaying what I was told!

Weird- midwife told me the opposite - obviously there is statistical evidence. Maybe different parts of UK are different

If there’s normally 400 births and there’s going to be an increase of 300, that isn’t an (almost) 100% increase, it’s 75%.

I would imagine there are boom areas rather than all over the country.
When I had dc1 we had a local boom (don't know why) but they drafted midwives in from other areas, they've also had plenty of time to plan for this. The thing that was more of a problem was school places (dc1 intake was double any other year group) many parents didn't get any of their choices and there were more appeals than normal.

I'm due towards end of Jan so hope I can get in before the rush

You have to remember that although they have a lot of babies due at that time, that doesn’t mean they will all be necessarily born then, a certain percentage will be early or late. September is always a really busy month in the maternity services due to the babies conceived over Christmas/new year, so they will know how to handle a sudden influx☺️ Let the hospital worry about it, don’t give it another thought!