There could be a baby boom soon and it's got nothing to do with the date

People are convinced that a baby boom could be on the horizon, despite the declining fertility rates in the UK.

According to the Office for National Statistics, last year, births in England and Wales decreased for the fourth year in a row, this time to their lowest level in nearly half a century.

But, things could be about to change, as the weather is heating up in the UK and around the world to record-breaking temperatures due to climate change - not to mention the scorching Super El Niño that’s on the way, which is predicted to be the strongest in decades.

And it seems that the sunshine, having time to relax, and soaking up vitamin D, helps with getting us in the mood, as according to official birth statistics reported by MailOnline, more babies are born nine months after the UK’s May bank holiday than at any other point in the year.

Tyla spoke with experts about the potential of an upcoming baby boom (Getty Stock Image)

Could a baby boom be on the way?

Gemma Logan, wedding and relationship expert at The Stag Company and Hen Party Deals, told Tyla: “From a fertility and relationships perspective, the idea that warmer weather could contribute to a baby boom isn't as far-fetched as it sounds.

“Human behaviour is heavily influenced by our environment, and sunshine has a remarkable effect on mood, energy levels, and social connection.”

The expert explained: “When the weather is warm, people tend to spend more time outdoors, attend more social gatherings, and generally feel more relaxed. Longer daylight hours can boost mood and increase feelings of well-being, which often translates into stronger relationship satisfaction and greater intimacy.

“Put simply, when people feel happier, more connected, and less confined by gloomy weather, romantic relationships often benefit.”

Gemma outlined that, while historically, we've seen seasonal patterns in conception rates across many countries, there isn't one universal ‘baby boom season’.

But, there is evidence that ‘certain times of year encourage more opportunities for connection and intimacy’.

The warmer weather can create the perfect backdrop for holidays, weddings, festivals, and spontaneous socialising, all of which increase the chances of relationships forming or deepening.

And it’s not just the heat, as longer days and more sunshine hours also contribute to more couples, ahem, wanting to make a baby.

Dr Lucy Hooper, private GP and co-founder of Coyne Medical, agreed that in countries like the UK and other northern European nations, longer days ‘genuinely do appear to boost ovulation rates and sexual desire, through a hormonal pathway involving melatonin and the reproductive axis’.

Romantic relationships often benefit from warmer weather and longer days (Getty Stock Image)

What does the science say?

However, it’s not quite as simple as that, and while it sounds like warmer weather could be the perfect recipe for more people to conceive, sometimes it actually leads to the opposite.

Both experts outlined how high temperature can actually work against conception, as sperm production is highly temperature-sensitive, and research has consistently shown that hot weather suppresses sperm quality, reducing count, concentration, and normal morphology.

Additionally, Dr Hooper explained: “Interestingly, a large preconception study of over 14,000 women found that the biological window of peak fertility actually falls in late autumn and early winter, not summer.”

While Gemma added that there ‘could be a tipping point where hotter does not necessarily mean more babies’.

The relationship expert concluded: “As for whether a baby boom is on the horizon, it's difficult to say. “Many couples today are balancing family aspirations with financial pressures and lifestyle considerations.

“However, if warmer weather encourages people to spend more time together, strengthen relationships and prioritise connection, it may well create conditions that support more pregnancies.”

She reasoned: “Sometimes the ingredients for a baby boom are less about temperature itself and more about what sunshine encourages people to do: slow down, connect, and enjoy each other's company.”