Pregnancy Guide

Deciding to start a family of your own is likely to be one of the biggest decisions you will ever make in your life, and as such, it is important not to rush into a pregnancy and take the time to consider whether getting pregnant and starting a family is the right choice for you and your partner. Regardless of whether you choose to go ahead with a pregnancy, or to put it off for a little while, the decision is yours as only you and your partner can decide whether or not it is the right time to start a family.

Things to consider when starting a family

There are many different factors that need to be taken into account when deciding whether or not to have a child, and this article aims to briefly illustrate some of the most common and prevalent concerns in today’s world. No two situations are identical of course, and as such the information provided in this guide is yours to adapt and interpret in light of your life.

Finances and starting a family

One of the biggest issues couples have to contend with when it comes to deciding whether or not to decide a family is financial. Depending on what stage of your life you find yourself in, you may find yourself more secure where money is concerned, and that is often a better time to start a family. Of course this isn’t true in every case, but as the business of having a baby can be expensive, financial security is often something that many couples look to establish before getting pregnant. The costs of having a child are not just limited to having another mouth to feed and body to clothe, but there are longer term considerations which can often impact your decisions, for example, saving up for higher education.

Your relationship and getting pregnant

Another big issue to consider when deciding whether to go ahead with a pregnancy or not is whether or not you and your partner are prepared to start a family. If you are reading this article and considering starting a family, then chances are you are ready to go ahead and get pregnant. However it is always worth taking a moment to consider whether you and your partner are both ready for a child as the many demands of a baby can be stressful and take its toll on a relationship.

Similarly it is important to make sure that you and your partner are on the same page as far as having a child is concerned. Having a serious talk about whether or not having a child is something you both want and are both ready for is the best way to do this, and should you decide to go ahead with a pregnancy, or even to put it off for a little while, doing so with your partner ensures that that decision is in line with both of your wants and needs.

Concerns about fertility

Fertility is a sensitive issue, which can put many people off pregnancy. If you or your partner are concerned about your fertility, then you are far from alone as countless couples in the UK experience the same thing at one stage or the other. There is a lot of support available, both on the NHS and privately, for couples experiencing fertility issues or concerned about the potential for fertility problems, and if you are concerned the best thing to do to put your mind at ease is investigate these many resources, or have a chat with your GP or another healthcare professional about your worries.

Concerns about hereditary diseases

Unsurprisingly if you suffer from a genetic disorder, or have a family history of hereditary illness, you might be particularly cautious about having a child of your own. It’s important to remember however, that not every hereditary illness will necessarily be passed down to your child. In fact in most cases your child will only have a small chance of inheriting a genetic illness, and thanks to advances in medicine there are invaluable screening and testing options available for the early stages of pregnancy.

If you are concerned about the possibility of passing on a genetic illness then discussing the matter with a healthcare professional is always your best choice. There are many sources of advice, support, and more in both the NHS and private healthcare. These will be discussed in more detail in the relevant parts of this guide, and more information is undoubtedly available from the Internet and your GP.