46% of mums-to-be due dates are inaccurate

Family Investments, the market leader in Child Trust Funds (CTFs), today reveals that 46% of the predicted due dates for expectant mums are inaccurate by at least ten days.

Pregnancy can be a highly stressful time, both physically and emotionally, so given that the average mum-to-be only takes two to four weeks pre-natal leave, it is not surprising that many struggle to fit in planning their child’s financial future - an important part of good parenting. Family now hopes to help expectant mums tick the CTF off their ‘to do’ list with the launch of its unique CTF Due Dates Service.

Given that 25% of parents miss out on investing their CTF themselves as it can get lost in the whirlwind of the first year of parenthood, Family’s unique Due Dates Service hopes to prompt more mothers to claim their free £250 from the Government. The Service allows mums-to-be to register with Family via a quick call or email for tailored information explaining the CTF scheme. After registering, mums-to-be are sent an easy to read mini-guide to CTF's especially created to help them understand the scheme and their options. Several weeks after they have given birth, Family will send a further reminder to get their account set up.

According to Family’s research almost half (46%) of predicted due dates of the mothers questioned were “inaccurate”, while nearly a third (28%) claimed that their due date was “completely wrong”, with their baby born at least two weeks later or earlier than predicted. Furthermore, it seems first-time mums-to-be undertake more research in those critical weeks before birth than second time mums. While 22% of first-time mums prioritise researching financial products, only 9% of subsequent mums repeat the effort. The need to provide easily accessible and comprehensive information for mums of all stages is therefore paramount if they are to make the most of the tax-free CTF for their child.

John Reeve, Chief Executive of Family Investments said; “Given that an alarmingly high number of mums-to-be are given an inaccurate due date prediction, it is not surprising that many are stressed in the run up to their child’s birth. Family hopes to ease the burden with the launch of its new CTF Due Dates Service, providing simple and informative advice on what the CTF scheme is, while explaining the options and guiding busy mums-to-be through the set up process.”