Why people are less likely to conceive during COVID-19 pandemic...

Over 80 per cent of people are not planning to conceive during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, perhaps putting to rest suggestions that the lockdown could lead to a rise in birth numbers, say researchers.

The main reasons that led people to this decision included worries related to future economic difficulties (58 per cent) and any potential consequences on pregnancy (58 per cent) due to the disease.

Looking at parenthood desires during the ongoing pandemic crisis in Italy, a team of experts, led by the University of Florence, carried out 1,482 online interviews.

Their results, published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology, show that some 1,214 (81.9 per cent) did not intend to conceive during the pandemic crisis.

Moreover, of the 268 participants who were planning to have a child before the pandemic, over one-third (37.3 per cent) then abandoned the intention.

The questionnaire, carried out in the third week of the lockdown in Italy, surveyed 944 women (63.7 per cent) and 538 men (36.3 per cent) aged between 18-46 years, and in a stable heterosexual relationship for at least twelve months.

"In our study sample, the majority of participants gave significantly higher total scores to their mental wellbeing before the pandemic, while lowest scores were reported in the answers referred to the COVID-19 period," said study author Elisabetta Micelli. IANS 

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