Couples postponing planned pregnancies due to Covid fear

Nagpur: While unplanned pregnancies during the Covid-19 times are on rise and baby boom is expected in the months of October/November this year, the planned pregnancies have gone down during the pandemic period.
The national trend of couples postponing plans to conceive a baby due to Covid-19 fear has caught up in Nagpur too. Many couples who were planning to have baby in 2020 have decided to wait for another six months or so.
Specialist doctors in the city have observed that there has been a significant decline in preconception consultations. “The baby boom is expected because unintended pregnancies are on the rise, but at the same time those who are planning pregnancies have deferred it,” said Dr Vaidehi Marathe, president of Nagpur Obstetrics and Gynaecology Society (NOGS).
“Doctors too are advising the same thing, especially to people taking treatment for infertility. We have told them it’s better to postpone the pregnancy for some months, until the whole picture of pandemic becomes clear,” she said.
The test tube baby centres and the infertility centres in Nagpur, which cater to patients from entire Central India, had stopped their services for at least three months during the lockdown period. Now too they are taking up very selective cases.
“While most couples have decided to go ahead with the planned pregnancies, some 10% of them who read a lot about Covid-19 asked us to put their IVF plans on hold,” said Dr Natchandra Chimote, veteran infertility specialist in country.
In what he termed a unique trend, Dr Chimote said many couples who were due for IVF or IUI processes got natural pregnancies during Covid-19 lockdown. “This could be due to lack of stress during initial phases of lockdown,” he said.
The picture is completely different in rural areas. “Couples coming from the periphery have hardly put on hold their pregnancies for Covid reason. Government hospitals have got same number of pregnancy cases during lockdown as well as unlock period,” said Dr Sajit Chavan from GMCH Yavatmal.
Doctors also agreed that deliveries are going to become a bit costlier in the coming days. “Cost of disposables has increased the total expenses due to use of PPE and other protective gears. But it is not that significant,” said Dr Marathe.
Why pregnancy plans put off
Covid fear | Pregnancy may lead to compromised immunity
High risk | Though pregnant women not considered as high risk, people still want to be sure
Hospitals | Emergency visits to hospitals difficult during Covid-19 times, prior appointment must
Expenses | Many processes have become costlier due to PPE and other gears