Valentine's Day causes a baby boom nine months later

Valentine’s Day causes a baby boom nine months later, NHS figures reveal.

Conceptions are expected to be five per cent higher this week than at other times of the year.

In 2015, 16,263 babies were conceived during the week of February 14, compared to the average of 15,427, the figures show.

This makes February second only to Christmas for the number of women becoming pregnant.

Sarah-Jane Marsh, chair of the Maternity Transformation Programme at NHS England, said: ‘Love is most definitely in the air at this time of year and it is fantastic to learn that the NHS sees a mini-baby boom nine months later – bringing with it great joy to families across the nation.’

Valentine’s Day causes a baby boom nine months later, NHS figures reveal (stock)

IS MARRIAGE GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH?

We’re social creatures – in the past we always lived in packs and groups and in today’s world with pressure and demands, it’s healthy to have a sounding board to share the ups and downs of the day.

In 2010, the World Health Organisation found marriage can reduce the risk of depression and anxiety and singles are more likely to suffer the blues than those who are married.

Last year, Aston Medical School in Birmingham released details of a 13-year study, with one a million participants and concluded that being married is better for your health than being single. Married individuals were less likely to die from conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

The researchers cited that one reason for improved health was the encouragement received from their partner to eat healthy, get enough exercise and take their medication. Perhaps not surprisingly, men fared even better than women.

Expert warns against catching an STI this Valentine’s

The week after February 14 2015, 16,344 conceptions occurred, NHS figures add.

Yet, Valentine’s passion may take its toll, with conception rates reaching an annual low just a fortnight later, with a weekly conception of 14,465.

This comes after a researcher from Plymouth University warned contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI) this February 14 could be life-threatening.

According to Dr Tina Joshi, a lecturer in molecular microbiology, antibiotic resistance is on the rise due to the unnecessary prescription of medications to treat infections that could once easily be cured, such as gonorrhoea.

Dr Joshi said: ‘It’s Valentine’s Day and I’m not telling anyone not to go and have fun.

‘But beware that those dangerous liaisons might be more dangerous than initially thought if you don’t use protection and understand the antimicrobial resistance threat facing all of us.

‘Unprotected sex is nothing new in our society. People think “what’s the worst that could happen?”

‘If you get a nasty condition, you can be treated with antibiotics. Right? Not necessarily. Antibiotics are ceasing to be as effective, and imagine where we’d be then.

She said: ‘Without antibiotics, sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis, which are caused by bacteria, wouldn’t be treatable.

‘Even worse, STIs often go undiagnosed meaning they don’t get treated until it’s too late.’

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