More work for the stork?

A social parenting community recently revealed that the pandemic has not deterred new parents from starting or adding to their family. In fact, the pandemic is likely to lead to a baby boom!

BabyDoc Club found that 81 per cent of couples surveyed actively trying for a baby right now. While almost half of those looking to add to their family or recently pregnant described the lockdown lifestyle restrictions of more time together and zero pressure to consume alcohol as the ideal time to start a family.

This is despite worries regarding attending medical appointments and birthing without the support of their partner affecting 80 per cent of couples actively trying for a baby, rising to 86 per cent of pregnant mums.

The financial impact of a new baby troubled 54 per cent of expectant parents, with most hoping to pick up some of the big ticket items now in the online January sales or borrow from friends and family.

Commenting on the survey, Parenting Expert with BabyDoc Club, Laura Erskine said: “While uncertainty continues to prevail regarding how long we may have to live with the pandemic restrictions, the planned rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine programme has offered hope that a more normal maternity healthcare service will resume sooner than later.

“New parents initially struggled with the lack of physical extended family and friends support that they could have traditionally relied on, while purchasing the baby essentials was difficult. Thankfully we now have social bubbles for new mums to get the mental and physical support they need and pre- and post-pregnancy baby classes and baby basics have all moved online.”

Supporting parents as they prepare to bring their baby into the world, BabyDoc Club summarises the baby essentials parents might need in its Baby Basics Pregnancy & Newborn Guide. The guide gives parents a preview of what to expect, a list of what they actually need and some advice to help them along the way.

The guide is available to download for free from the BabyDoc Club website and comes with a guarantee that no retailer or brand has paid to appear in the publication.

Analysing the published birth numbers over the past 40 years, BabyDoc Club has identified a significant link between the birth rate and economic prosperity. With babies conceived following the first lockdown now due, BabyDoc Club predicts the birth rate to surge in 2021. This is in line with the parenting community's observations that when the State’s economy experiences turbulence the birth rate increases, yet when it shows signs of recovery, the birth rate slows down.

The pandemic looks set to mirror the historical data for baby booms in Ireland, as we see the devastating effect that Covid-19 has had on livelihoods nationwide. This, together with the lifestyle restrictions imposed by the Government and the message to stay at home, it is very likely that couples will continue to embrace the time at home together. Dr Brian Higgins, GP at Galway Primary Care said: “We have certainly seen an increase in mothers presenting to our practice for confirmation of pregnancy. It seems there may well be a pandemic baby boom on the way following Ireland’s ongoing national lockdowns.” He continued: “We have been fortunate so far that we can provide an ultrasound service in our practice so fathers can experience exciting early pregnancy scans. Generally, our mums opt for combined hospital and GP care for their pregnancies to avoid any issues with restricted travel and to allow their partner to attend appointments.” Dr Eleanor Galvin, GP at Rosemount Family Doctors in South Dublin, said: “Covid-19 has certainly had a major role to play in the rise in the number of patients presenting to our practice to confirm their pregnancies and receive maternity care. Looking at the same period last year we have about 20 per cent more pregnant patients attending our clinic, with due dates from now all the way into the summer.”