Doctor foresees Valentine’s baby boom

As many celebrated Valentine's Day with some sweet loving from their partners, Dr Daryl Daley says he is expecting many new patients in the next six weeks.

The obstetrician and gynaecologist (OB/GYN) told THE STAR, "There's certain times the numbers tend to increase in pregnancies. Christmas, New Year's, Valentine's. That's essentially it, you get a big rush after that and after carnival too."

As pregnancy is counted from the last day of the menstrual cycle rather than from the date of conception, most women not intentionally trying to conceive find out when they are about six weeks pregnant as their periods would be late.

Daley posited that while he hesitates to assign a numerical value to the number of pregnant women he anticipates, he is sure there will be an increase.

IT'S SEASONAL FOR SURE

"I can't really give a number but it is definitely increased and it correlates in terms of what is going on. It's seasonal for sure. You know six weeks after Christmas, six weeks after Valentine's, six weeks after carnival for sure, there's a significant increase. That's when people having sex," he said.

Commonly finding that most pregnancies around these periods are unplanned, Daley says he finds a large number of these new patients coming from younger demographics.

"I think it's just everybody 'cause everybody has sex, once you're in the reproductive age group. I'd say probably 20s to the 30s, more so the early 20s if you want to be specific," he said.

Daley added "Most of them aren't disappointed. I mean it's unplanned but it's not like they want to not have their pregnancy. It's unplanned but they're willing to go ahead."

While many might feel overwhelmed by this newfound responsibility, Daley is advising that persons get a good support system.

"Find an OB/GYN that's willing to talk to you and counsel you and be there for you. Most pregnancies are unplanned so you need a supportive spouse, a supportive doctor," he said.