I had to chuckle a bit when I stumbled across this article on CNN.com: Many women put pregnancy plans on hold in shaky economy.
After all, I got pregnant on purpose right after our country went into financial meltdown last fall. I distinctly recall the discussions with friends and Hubs about whether we should wait to try for #2 until things got more stable/optimistic. But I pretty much brushed that logic aside and thought, “Screw it! Let’s make a baby!” There’s evolutionary instinct for ya.
Didn’t take long for the premeditated babymaking to “take.” And now here we are, 30-some weeks later, totally redoing our house and nesting like crazy, feeling the little man kick and wondering how it will be to raise two whole kids. The economy hasn’t really improved, as far as I can tell, and I don’t see signs that it’s going to anytime soon. But for now, we fortunately still have the income we need to get by and insurance coverage to stay healthy (and deliver the baby). So regrets? I have none — baby boy is coming and I’m glad glad glad.
What about you? Have you put off plans to procreate until the recession is declared “over”? Or are you all crazy like me and going for it, recession be damned?
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10 thoughts on “Postponing Pregnancy?”
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As I explained to my spouse, when he thought I was nuts to even consider trying for a second in this economy, “There’s never a perfect time (or bad time, for that matter) to have a baby!” If we all waited just until the situation was exactly right, no one would have kids. I’m due July 29 and taking it one day at a time. No regrets here, either.
I’m due in Jan. It was planned and wanted, and yet, I’m scared!
Our financial situation has gotten worse since I got pregnant, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Life’s too short to plan around the economy.
Just gave birth to my daughter Brooklyn 4 months ago and could care less about the crappy economy. The timing was right for our family and that is what guided our decision to have our second child when we did… Couldn’t be happier!
I’d really like to have a third, but I will not do it until I have gotten us to the position for me to stay home- no side work, no writing all night, no daycare juggle and feeling shortchanged. I’m all for women working, but I can work once the kids grow up. This time cannot be repeated, I don’t get any redos. I love my job, I made very good money, but the opportunity cost is no longer important to me. I am at least a year out so that I can hopefully sell my house for a little more money. I’m dodging layoffs so that I can keep saving and paying off some lingering debt. I’m waiting until the new fiscal year for the state (in July) to make sure that my husband doesn’t lose his job and throw a wrench into the whole idea. There is no perfect time to have a baby, and you will always find a way to make ends meet. But at the same time, if you want things to have a greater chance to work out the way you want them to, you can’t just close your eyes tight, roll the dice and hope it will work out. That’s a recipe for heartbreak.
Nope, I’m right with you… 30 weeks along and figuring that now is as perfect time as any.
That'd be great. Except we have been trying for over two years. Sigh.
Oh hahahaha. The timing is just too funny. I hemmed and hawed about having another baby because I was worried about the economy. We got pregnant during the summer when things were still looking OK. Then, days after I found out I was expecting, the banks started to fail. Then, three weeks after new baby arrived, husband got laid off. How’s THAT for the Universe having a sense of humor.
like i always say to friends thinking about getting pregnant:
"no time is the perfect time, but anytime is a GREAT time." sappy, but true/.
(congrats susan! i had no idea!)
I've been reading around the blog and thinking about this post quite a bit as I enter into the final decision making and specification for our new house here in the inexpensive, rural place where we live… Do I build the house I think I "need" and put my family in the position of needing 2 incomes to pay the bills? Or do I take this chance to solidify an opportunity to stay home? I was reading The Juggle this AM and found some posts from the Brazen Careerist that really spoke to me and are making my decisions a bit easier. Here is my favorite:
http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/19/my-financial-history-and-stop-whining-about-your-job/
Sorry for being anonymous, I just don't want to take the risk my coworkers could google me and directly tie me into this comment. 🙂