FIRST Minister Nicola Sturgeon was asked about sex and planning for pregnancies at today’s coronavirus press briefing.

The SNP leader was presented with a serious question about those who may be planning to start a family in the near future – but also those who have been left stuck in the house with little to do as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.

The SNP leader passed responsibility for providing the advice onto Chief Medical Officer Dr Catherine Calderwood. She told the conference: “I’ll hand this over to the obstetrician in the room.”

Calderwood then joked: “The labour ward is always busiest nine months after Valentine’s Day.”

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However, she went on to provide serious information to those looking to have children in the near future.

She said: "This has occurred to me that we do need to be advising people...You're right about people having time on their hands".

For those who are already pregnant, Calderwood gave a reminder that most maternity services are emergency services and encouraged expectant women to continue receiving care. Calderwood added that in some places virtual clinics will be available to help reduce travel amid the lockdown.

Calderwood went on: "It has been suggested to me that we talk to people about contraception.

"And about really thinking about the fact that 50% of all pregnancies are unplanned.

“We would always encourage people to think on their own health: 'Is this the right time for me to start thinking about having a baby?’”

So far, the UK Government has issued little guidance on sexual health during the coronavirus crisis.

However, one expert gave some advice earlier in the week. Professor Paul Hunter said self-isolating couples who fall into one of the vulnerable categories should avoid sexual contact.

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This means if one person is 70 or older, has an underlying health condition or is pregnant – and one of the pair has possible Covid-19 symptoms like a cough or fever – the couple should abstain from sex.

Under social distancing guidelines, couples who do not live together should not be meeting during the current stage of the UK response to the virus.

Currently members of the public are only allowed outside their homes for one bit of exercise per day, to make essential journeys for groceries, medicines, to help a vulnerable person or go to essential work.

Police can enforce fines or disperse mass gatherings under new emergency legislation.

For full details on the current rules and Covid-19 in general, visit www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/