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'Baby Boom' More Like 'Baby Bust' During Bad Economy

Report: Condoms, Morning After Pill See Increased Sales

POSTED: 6:24 pm EDT June 10, 2009
UPDATED: 7:18 pm EDT June 10, 2009

With Octomom and "Jon & Kate Plus 8" grabbing the majority of headlines these days, it would appear that another baby boom is under way, but expectant mom Christie Gaita said she and her fiancé seem to be the exception.

"A lot of my friends are waiting -- definitely -- until they have things fixed and they have more money," said Gaita.

With the worst economic climate in 80 years, doctors said patients have been more concerned about the cost of raising a child.

Christie Gaita and her fiance.

According to a published report, the average family spends $5,500 per year during the baby's first two years.

"I have noted that people take the decision to become pregnant -- they always take it seriously I suppose -- but I think it is more of a weighed decision for people," said Dr. Hy Simhan of Magee-Womens Hospital.

Slate Magazine reported sales of condoms and morning after pill jumped 10 percent in the first quarter of 2009.

Simhan said women may want to consider more than money when deciding whether to have a child.

"As women get older, the likelihood of getting pregnant decreases and the likelihood of pregnancy complications increases," said Simhan.

Factor in college and the cost of a child could rise to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

"But it's nice -- what you get in the end. Perfect," said Gaita.

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