Millions of mumzillas-to-be are meticulously planning the timing of their new arrival around weather, weddings and work commitments, a new study has found. Researchers found the excitement of discovering a new baby is on the way has been replaced by an operation reminiscent of a military manoeuvre, involving times, dates and even locations.
Among the factors which now play huge parts in the timing of a pregnancy to fit in with our hectic lifestyles are school entry dates and term times, work holiday entitlements and even friends’ weddings.
In fact one in four couples admitted putting conception attempts on hold at certain points of the year as they don’t want a newborn’s arrival to clash with other ‘important engagements’.
The study, which was carried out on behalf of OvuSense – a new real time fertility monitor – found as many as 34% of those researched who have given birth in the last year or plan to have a baby in the next two years, admitted they were planning to have their baby in a specific month.
September was named as the most popular month for couples want their bundle of joy to arrive.
A further 62% said they would always prefer to have a baby in the summer months and shockingly, one in twenty revealed they would be disappointed if their baby didn’t arrive in a certain season – or even month.
Rob Milnes, CEO of the creators of OvuSense, said:
“Women tend to juggle a lot of responsibilities in their lives and making the decision to have a baby is huge, especially the first time around.
“It’s understandable that many busy women have certain calendar dates they would want to avoid.
“Equally the research found trying to conceive so that the baby arrives early in the new school term seemed surprisingly very common with mothers.
“You can try to plan as much as possible but sometimes solely relying on meticulous planning doesn’t work.”
“It’s a fact that one in seven couples struggle to conceive, and although most women think they ovulate in the middle of the month 70% do not.
“This confusion and uncertainty can cause stress, especially for women who are used to being in control of every aspect of their lives.”
The poll found 40% of the 1,000 women polled said there were certain things in their career they wanted to accomplish before starting a family, and 32% wanting to earn a certain salary before trying to conceive.
More than one in 10 women said they set themselves a target of reaching a £30,000 salary before attempting to start a family.
And more than half said it was vital they owned their own house before trying for kids – and nearly two thirds wanted to be married.
One in ten wanted to reach management level and an ambitious one in twenty were determined to own their own business before becoming a mother.
But a more practical 21% said they needed to pass their driving test before having kids and 28% said a garden was a must.
Perhaps more surprisingly one in five wanted a flash car before settling down with a family and 22% want to experience a once in a lifetime holiday.
In addition, attending a wedding, being a bridesmaid and attending important meetings or events were all listed as things women would hate to do whilst being heavily pregnant.
The study found 55% of respondents felt modern women were used to meticulously planning their lives and that embarking motherhood is no different.
More than a third of women said they worry they will be over looked at work once becoming a mother and nearly a quarter said it’s impossible to return to the same level once having a baby.
Interestingly, the poll found that couples were having sex on average about four times a week in order to have a baby at the right time.
As far as couples trying to conceive one in five couples use ovulation kits or monitors and 67% lie with their legs in the air after sex in order to increase chances of conception.
Kate Davies, Fertility Practitioner RN BSc (HONS) FP Cert, said:
“The modern woman is certainly very used to planning all aspects of her life and trying to conceive no exception.
”It is important to a woman to endeavor to plan her pregnancies to fit in with her career aspirations and general lifestyle.
“Women want to be more informed with regards to their bodies and have a desire to feel in control of their fertility.
”They want to know when they ovulate each month and when in their cycle they are the most fertile.
”This knowledge is incredibly empowering for women and ultimately helps them to successfully navigate along their fertility journey.”
TOP THINGS WOMEN WANT TO ACCOMPLISH BEFORE STARTING A FAMILY
1. To be married
2. To own my own house
3. To have matured enough to be a mother
4. To have travelled
5. To have cleared any debt
6. To have completed further education / necessary qualifications
7. To have a garden
8. Go on a once in a lifetime holiday
9. To have passed my driving test
10. To own a nice car
11. To have £10,000 in savings
12. To have said goodbye to my party days
13. To lose weight ahead of getting pregnant
14. To be earning £30,000
15. To have reached management level
16. A long awaited promotion
17. To reach the top of my game at work
18. To own my own business
19. To cut down on my alcohol intake
20. To be earning £40,000
21. To have paid off my student loan
22. To be earning £50,000+
23. To move back to be near my parents
24. To complete a sporting accomplishment
25. To have earned enough to afford a nanny
TOP THINGS MOTHERS WANT BABIES BIRTH TO COINCIDE WITH
1. The spring
2. The summer
3. The start of the academic year (September)
4. The six week school holidays
5. Christmas