Pregnancy Pandemic

There has been much joking online around the idea of a baby boom following lockdown- The Coronials. Especially now Poundland have released information that sales of pregnancy tests in their stores has increased by 25% For many of us who are self-employed in birth based roles this has been a light hearted ray of hope at a time when much of our work has been stopped or radically changed due to CV19 social distancing rules. Perhaps when we have made it through this, our businesses will be back to usual and busier than ever. We will again be able to offer the support we are so passionate about in the way we are trained to. Although we are putting our hearts into the online resources we are providing, there is a certain kind of support provided by the physical presence that is much harder to match remotely. But lets think for a moment outside ourselves and what we would like to do. This 25% increase- what does it mean? It means that more people are experiencing sex without preventative measures. Why? We can pretty much rule out one-night stands and casual hook-ups due to social distancing.I also doubt that many people have decided now, amidst global pandemic, is the time to start a family. The best case would be that those already hoping for a baby are now finding more time together leading to more positive outcomes. It is likely that many who hadn’t been planning for a baby are getting more quality time together too. GP’s surgeries and sexual health clinics are now closed to non-essential appointments. These include face to face contraceptive appointments. Some people may not be requesting contraceptive appointments under the assumption of them not being essential or they may be avoiding GP’s surgeries due to fear of catching CV19. To these people; YOUR SEXUAL HEALTH IS ESSENTIAL! Many GP’s are now offering contraceptive appointments via phone call. With these you can discuss available options and their relative suitability in a contactless way and your GP can prescribe you a 6-12 month supply of contraceptive pills. The prescription is sent electronically to your chosen pharmacy where it will be made ready for you to collect. You can also phone your GP to request emergency contraception (the morning after pill) and access it from your pharmacist in the same way. This can be effective in preventing pregnancy when taken up to 72 hours after intercourse. Due to the nature of administration, contraception by injection, implant, or IUD is now being avoided wherever possible. However, if there are concerns around your suitability to either of the pill-based contraceptives, the risks of unplanned pregnancy can outweigh the risks of receiving appropriate contraception and arrangements can be made to best suit your needs. Condoms are still available with a range of textures, flavours, and special effects, as well as latex free and vegan in supermarkets, pharmacies, and online. Another reason for an increase in unprotected sex, is an increase in unwanted sex. Along side the purchase of pregnancy tests, calls to the National Domestic Abuse Helpline have also increased by 25% whilst visits to their website are up 150% from pre-lockdown figures. With many people now at home with their partner and no external outlets or support available, acts of domestic abuse are increasing in both frequency and severity. This means there is now far more opportunity for unwanted sex to occur in the home. Some people who's domestic situation has become worse after lock down may feel they have no where to go and no choice but to wait it out. This is not the case. There is still support for those wishing to leave an abusive situation. Refuge is just one charity can support you to leave an abusive environment. Due to this increase in unplanned pregnancy, I fear we will also see an increase in unwanted pregnancy. This can lead to a rise in people having negative pregnancy experiences and considering abortion, both of which impact feelings of poor mental health and isolation as well leading to higher risk of postnatal depression if the pregnancy is continued. If you find yourself pregnant unexpectedly, the organisation BPAS (British Pregnancy Advisory Service) are able to offer unplanned pregnancy counselling, discuss options to help you decide if abortion, adoption, or pregnancy is right for you, and provide treatment if that is what you want. Medical abortions for early term pregnancy can be had at home with medication posted to you. Other forms of abortion remain available on the NHS but will require hospital or clinic admission. DO NOT PUT OFF CARING FOR YOUR SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH! I am a Womens Aid Ambassador and a member of Doulas Without Borders providing trauma informed care to families. I have experience supporting people in domestic abuse situations. I offer support through all fertility journeys including long awaited IVF babies, VBAC, scheduled c-birth, planned home and freebirth, as well as the heartbreak of a loss or abortion for any reason. If you need support- reach out.

Links to resources

-Goverment information regarding domestic abuse and links to specialist helplines: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-and-domestic-abuse/coronavirus-covid-19-support-for-victims-of-domestic-abuse - DWB find out more and make a referral: https://www.doulaswithoutborders.com/ -https://www.womensaid.org.uk/covid-19-coronavirus-safety-advice-for-survivors/ -What to do in a domestic violence emergency: https://www.policeconduct.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Documents/research-learning/Silent_solution_guide.pdf -Unplanned pregnancy support: https://www.bpas.org/abortion-care/considering-abortion/ Related articles -https://www.fsrh.org/documents/fsrh-ceu-clinical-advice-to-support-provision-of-effective/fsrh-clinical-advice-to-support-provision-of-effective-contraception-covid-26.3.2020.pdf -https://www.policeconduct.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Documents/research-learning/Silent_solution_guide.pdf -https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52157620 -https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/03/31/england-leads-way-uk-after-u-turn-covid-19-abortion-access -https://www.itv.com/news/central/2020-04-22/poundland-pregnancy-test-sales-up-by-25-since-the-start-of-coronavirus-lockdown/?fbclid=IwAR0AjOINE8C-wbvwR67TzYsSBcDkzIqbxl6BbZdtad0tD5CZHiG6Rpr-3cY