What's the least of the two evils? PLEASE HELP ME DECIDE

[Lalla525]

Hi all.

I am 30w pregnant and I have been diagnosed with a condition (vasa praevia) which requires baby to be born well before natural labour and possibly before it puts too much pressure down (becomes engaged). Mortality rate if that does not happen is 90+%.

In normal circumstances, I would get hospitalised between 32 and 34 weeks so that they can monitor daily and would deliver the baby hopefully around 36w, however, I would be in the hospital if labour starts earlier and doctors can attempt to do an emergency c-section. (There is no chance of survival if I am at home).

However, the consultant told me that this needs to be balanced with covid risk so ultimately decision is mine (of which risk I prefer). The alternative to hospitalization is going there at 36 weeks for the elective cesarean.

I am lost and worried because I don't want to catch the virus. I'm very much afraid of it. But if I stay home and labour starts before the scheduled cesarean, I lose my baby.

What would you do?

Did people saying 'GO IN' read this??

The consultant said that if I am asymptomatic (no bleeding, no contractions etc..) and the risk of labour before 36 is low, I should probably stay home

Consultant says 'stay home' but you're all blithely saying 'go in' 🤨

Definitely go to hospital. It’s not a given that you’ll get COVID - I know of someone in hospital with a serious, not-COVID related, lung condition and she has been OK so far (touch wood).

Did you read the part that said if she was at home there was no chance of survival, @IncrediblySadToo? This isn't just a matter of getting the kind of birth she wants with candles and dim lights. I can't imagine how worrying it would be to sit at home worrying that labour might start and progress too quickly to get to hospital for a c section.

OP, have you read up on what covid protocols are in place at your hospital? That might inform your decision. Most places seem to have very strict procedures in place which would make your stay not much fun (ie no visitors) but would help ensure your safety and make you feel reasonably comfortable about a long stay.

I would go with what the consulants advice would be if there was no covid. If being in hospital increases the chance of a positive outcome for your baby then this is what I would do.

I think hospitals will be extra careful with cleanliness at present and you may find that your chance of picking up bugs in general in hospital such as mrsa is lower than normal.

I would go in. I have had two friends who were pregnant with this condition. One spent a horribly stressful few weeks in hospital (pre Covid) but took her little boy home. For the other the condition was sadly undiagnosed and she went into natural labour and her gorgeous little boy didn't make it.

They both used to be posters here. I'm not sure if they still use MN but if they do I'm sure they would say the same.

There is nothing blithe about my response at all. I read the thread twice before decided whether to gently comment on this as it is such an emotive matter, one of which I have experience.

Her consultant said 'probably' actually. They also said 'in normal circumstances' it would be between 32-34 weeks.

5-10 minutes is just too long I'm afraid. Every second counts. Sorry that is just the way it is and in my personal opinion it is not worth the risk to an unborn baby.

Hospital for sure!!

Go to the hospital and stay where you are safe.
I had exactly the same condition with my DD my placenta fully covered my cervix and it was very high risk. I stayed in hospital and lucky I did as after four nights in there my waters spontaneously broke and I needed an emergency c section straight away. This is a serious condition and more life threatening than the chance of Covid in terms of immediate risk to life if something goes wrong.
Tough decision you’re faced with but go where you can have the help you need on hand.
Good luck!

I would feel much more comfortable being in hospital than out and wouldn't be influenced by the covid situation.