KUCHING: While it is quite common to postulate a plausible baby boom whenever there are conditions, pandemics, or disasters that lead to restricted movement, it would take about nine months to see if the Covid-19 movement restrictions had truly caused an increase in birth rate compared to previous years.
Dr Tan Yiap Loong, obstetrician and gynaecologist, urogynaecologist at KPJ Kuching Specialist Hospital, said baby booms had been noted in the past after hurricanes in some parts of the world.
He was commenting on whether there could be a ‘quarantine baby boom’ at the end of the year or early next year resulting from the movement control order (MCO), conditional MCO, and recovery MCO implemented since March 18 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“However, there are other factors that may affect this, including the usage of contraception during this period, the suspension of certain reproductive technique services, decision of couples to delay having a child for fear of the potential consequences of pregnancy due to the disease, and worries of future economic difficulties,” he told New Sarawak Tribune when contacted on Friday.
“Nonetheless, in Kuching whilst working in the Ministry of Health, I do remember seeing an increased rate of deliveries in Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) after the rainy season and flood that occurred in 2002-2003,” he said.
Dr Tan pointed out that this was rather similar to that of a hurricane situation, in terms of restricted movement and staying at home which tended to enhance intimacy among couples.
