Can we expect a lockdown baby boom?
With a national study by
money.co.uk, suggesting that one in ten UK couples are planning a new baby in lockdown, can the UK expect a
coronavirus baby boom?
Following the Second World War, there was a baby boom as the world settled back into normal life.
Now, amid the current coronavirus pandemic, it is thought that we may experience the same trend.
There could be a surge in the number of babies born in the UK as a result of the lockdown.
According to new research, those most likely to plan for a lockdown baby live in London (18%), the North-east (18%) and Yorkshire & The Humber (14%).
7% of couples say that they have already fallen pregnant while in isolation.
Lockdown has meant that generally, couples are spending much less money, so can many might choose to use that additional disposable income to press ahead with plans to have a baby.
Salman Haqqi, personal finance expert at
money.co.uk, said:
“It definitely looks like we can expect a lot of lockdown babies to be born in early 2021.
“Ensuring you are financially prepared for the arrival of a new addition to the family is really important, so if you are considering getting pregnant now is the time to start budgeting to avoid any costly surprises when the bundle of joy arrives in 2021.”
Almost 23% of couples said lockdown has given them the opportunity to save money and try for a baby immediately, when they otherwise might have waited.
Many couples reported that the lockdown has forced them to re-evaluate their priorities, resulting in them making more time for one another and for their families.
Even Health Minister Nadine Dorries has questioned how busy maternity services will be in nine months time, tweeting:
“As the minister responsible for maternity services, I’m just wondering how busy we are going to be, nine months from now…”Health experts have also warned that it is vital that contraceptive services can still be accessed during the lockdown. Clare Murphy, director of external affairs at the British Pregnancy Advisory Service said:
“Couples may not actively be planning a pregnancy in the current climate, but all of us across maternity and abortion services are bracing for an increase in unplanned pregnancies as a result of the prolonged period in lockdown combined with expected difficulties obtaining contraception.”
Only time will tell whether we will see a new generation of coronababies!
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