Just found out you’re pregnant?…apparently lots of people do in 'Due-anuary'

Lots of people seem to find out they are pregnant in January. Read more about why this is and what the most common months for giving birth are.

According to experts, 17 January will involve pregnancy tests-a-plenty. It's been found that a women takes an average of 6 different pregnancy tests when they get a positive result, just to be sure!

The date has been calculated as falling just over 2 weeks after National Babymaking Day on 2nd January. It is also 38 weeks before September 26th which, according to ONS data, was the most popular day to be born over the last two decades.

ONS interactive graph

 Use the ONS' interactive graph to find out how popular your baby's due date is:

The most popular time to give birth is towards the end of September and into the start of October. It is has been suggested that this increase in births could be due to couples planning to have children at the start of the school year. Although the Christmas seem to be a popular time to make a baby, 6 out of the 10 least popular dates of birth fall in the Christmas and New Year period.This is probably due to high number of bank holidays, when induced births and elective caesareans are less likely to be scheduled. 

Interesting facts based on data from past two decades (1995-2014)

  • There were 8 days where 1,440 babies were born, meaning there was one born every minute.
  • On average, a baby has been born every 48 seconds.
  • April 1 is ranked low, perhaps due to April Fool’s Day.

10 tips after finding out you're pregnant

1. Use our tool to calculate your due date

2. Contact your GP or self-refer to see a midwife. 

3. Give yourself a health check, including calculating your BMI, working out your usual caffeine intake and making a note of any medicines you take. 

4. Start taking folic acid

5. Stop drinking alcohol and if you smoke, giving up is the safest thing you can do for your baby. 

6. Make a note of any foods you should avoid

7. Start taking Vitamin D tablets and any other supplements you need

8. Read about symptoms so you are prepared. 

9. Sign up to our emails that tell you all you need to know, week by week. 

10. Fill out our wellbeing plan to make sure you have support during pregnancy and after birth. 

Data from the ONS, original report can be found here

Information referenced from The Independent article, 2018. 

Support for people trying to get pregnant 

The time it takes to get pregnant can vary. Most women get pregnant within a year of trying (age can makes a difference here), with around 1 in 3 getting pregnant within a month of trying. Around 1 in 7 couples in the have difficulties getting pregnant.This can be a really difficult time, especially if people around you are becoming pregnant, but there is support available. The Fertility Network has support and forums for those affected by infertility and we have more information you can read on our website.