To be worried about giving birth mid corona virus/financial implications

[Vworried0]

Good afternoon

I’m due to have my second in 8 weeks. At first thought this corona virus issue was just a big exaggeration but over the last two weeks and especially the last few days I have become really worried!

First of all there’s the actual issue of the virus - my household have been self isolating minus DH who needs to work or doesn’t get paid (self employed). Is it/will it actually be safe to give birth in hospital? Will hospitals recommend home births and continued isolation?

Second of all I’m worried about actually getting supplies for my baby - obviously this virus wasn’t predicted and I only have half the stuff I need. All of the shops are closing, money has been tight recently so haven’t been able to go and buy it all otherwise I would have. I still need clothes, bottles, a pram, car seat etc.

The third issue is that we don’t actually have the money for these things - with DH being self employed work is very scarce at the moment due to other people self isolating and also having financial issues (Building trade) and he’s not bringing/will not be bringing enough home. I don’t know if we’ll even afford our rent this month/next month let alone feed us and purchase what I need for the baby. I ordered our pram a while back with a deposit and we were going to clear the rest in the coming weeks which isn’t possible now I don’t think.

Is anyone else having these worries? Is anyone feeling optimistic?

Try and buy the clothes off facebook/ shpock and wash them 2x and do a boil wash.
You really dont want to be spending unnecessarily right now. If you have 8 weeks you can do a safe exchange in a public place. Bring a box and dont touch the clothes for a week (i think this is the advice for deliveries)
God try to breast feed so you dont have to rely on formula. You dont need a lot of things. I never used half of what was on the 'essentials list' for newborns.
Things like sippy cups- we went straight to cups and it was easier.
Try and find some reusable nappies- you can get them second hand too. Just be careful.
You cant hot wash reusable nappies (makes them leak) so wash them and dry them in the sun.
Money is going to be so tight for so many people so dont waste £7 on a pack of 7 vests at asda when ypu can pay £10 for a bin bag full of everything you need.

You might not need a pram if we are in lockdown for ages. And i would get a baby sling instead of a pram- people always try and touch babies. Its harder when theyre strapped on you.

Please leave it to the bare essentials and second hand. You'll be helping put someone else and the extra money you save will be so worth it when youre struggling to keep a roof over your head.

Shops are open, buy clothes online or second hand, mine where all second hand for my two anyway.
On the washing of second hand cloths follow the laundrette guidance which is leave for three days in a sealed bag, then wash.

When I was just about to have my DD2, DH lost his job and we had v little money. My mum bought me reusable nappies- second hand and they were a godsend. I also breast fed and used all DD1s clothes, so we had to spend v little money for months.

You will be ok. xx

And please phone your midwife and talk about your worries re giving birth.

Also could a neighbour have a spare pram in their garage you could borrow? Just until things get back to 'normal'.

Mine's barely had any new stuff - almost everything given second hand by friends and family or bought from eBay. We currently have enough nappies but a friend of mine who can't get hold of any has cut up towels and using YouTube tutorials do old-style terrycloth ones in the day and eke out her remaining disposables at night.
Our builders have just told us they won't be coming any longer, leaving us with a big hole in the roof and no hot water or electricity - I'd pay extra and trade you all of our newborn supplies if your DH could come out and make our house livable 😩 mostly joking

Is there a local FB page where you could put a call.out for used equipment/supplies to be delivered?

My midwife impressed upon me the importance right now on all new mums of attempting to breastfeed. I am personally very pro and extended bf'd my other two for 3 years each but that's an aside...

She recommends I attempt to "harvest" some of my milk (colostrum) if possible at around 36 weeks. This is so were I to contract Covid-19 and (God forbid) become too ill to feed baby, partner could help with that.

And of course, not specifically Covid-19 related, but bf'ing offers huge benefits to a baby in terms of passing on antibodies from mum and baby for various other viruses etc.

Personally, should my baby (again, God forbid) get Covid-19, I would want her protected from other possible viruses etc as best I could whilst immunosuppressed. For example, some of the antibodies I've made from having both the influenza and whooping cough vaccines will be passed on through my breast milk.

But of course at the end of the day I absolutely appreciate it is the choice of the mother to make decisions about how to feed her baby, and if she chooses formula then I fully respect that and it's none of my business.

I’m with you. I’m due to give birth any day and live in London.

I’m worried about the virus. Although I’ve been isolating I’ve had to visit the hospital in the last two weeks (to find out i have a complication that makes my delivery high risk).

I’m worried about delivering the baby as I’m now high risk and concerned about needing ICU or similar when beds are getting full.

I also have nobody to come and look after my older child as our family are all in vulnerable groups and are isolating. So facing giving birth alone.

On the upside, second baby, so I’m not buying any new at all! Do you have old baby things from your first child that you can use?

Would you consider breastfeeding if you are worried about finances and supplies? The Breastfeeding Network Helpline night be able to help if that is something you want to consider.

It’s a rough time to be having a baby for sure.

@JonnyPocketRocket oh god what a nightmare! My DH is going to continue working where he can if customers are happy for him to attend, it’s risky but we have no choice or we can’t afford to live.

@CycleWoman I’m also making extra hospital visits at the moment as I have a non pregnancy related illness.
My mum is going to have to come and collect DD as soon as I go into labour or I will be going on my own, it’s just her and my dad in their household and both are under 60 and non symptomatic so I think it will be ok as long as we are all careful until then.
I was going to try breast feeding anyway but I have bought milk where I’ve seen it just in case, I have a couple of tubs of powder and about 25 small ready made bottles so that will see me for a few weeks at least until the shops have gone back to normal.

We’re also in London, I’ll be giving birth at kings where I know they are treating the virus.

@ Vworried0

I’m also due to give birth in a big South London hospital who are treating Corona patients!

I’ve been so diligent about isolating and then have to get to the hospital, sit in a waiting room and then see a handful of medics! Making me really tense!

I'm due soon too and have no-one to look after my DCs other than my OH so I'll be doing it alone! I'm very very worried!

@CycleWoman it’s awful isn’t it. My family have been telling me to consider a home birth and to be honest I think midwives will start recommending it soon! Unfortunately I’m high risk due to a spinal injury so it’s not an option for me anyway but if anyone is low risk might be worth looking into.

I’m pregnant with my first and due soon, I’m worried! I understand. :(

The hospital's and midwives will be doing all they can to try and ensure the safety of their women and babies, I know it's easier said than done but listen to their advice, and call them if you have concerns. Here the advice is to let them know before going in if you or anyone in your household has symptoms, they will have procedures in place for this. As for buying stuff, I agree with a PP to check Facebook and post on local groups etc, we gave a lot of our stuff away for not much or free as it was just easier, all in good condition. As for being self employed, it hasn't been ratified yet, but there is an amendment on the gov website with the plans for self employed, I would imagine it is likely to pass if it's in the public domain already.

I'm due in July, so a little while off yet. I had opted for a home birth anyway, before any of this began, but there's no way I'd want to be giving birth in a hospital now! If something happens and I have to, then my husband will stay with our children, and I'll have to get myself to the hospital, 30 minutes away. I'm fine with having the baby on my own, that's the easy bit. It would be being in hospital which would bother me. I'd also be surprised if I didn't have it the car, as I have speedy deliveries!

I’m due late July but pretty convinced the problem will still be ongoing at that stage which is worrying to no end. I’m worried about sorting basic hospital bag things for myself tbh, I know Boots maternity pads which I usually buy are no longer in stock for example. I’ve bought some bits for the baby to wear and some reusable newborn nappies plus have some stuff my one year old used. Wanted a snuzpod though so going to have to order that soon. Absolute nightmare.

I’ll be having a c-section so again that’s definitely another concern. Last time I was only in hospital for a day from arriving to going home so I’m hoping it’ll be the same again this time to minimise risk. Also just hoping it will have all died down a lot by then. Really zapping the joy out of pregnancy...

@Whoareyoudududu maternity pads are out of stock? Wow I didn’t know that I assumed people would have left that sort of thing alone but I guess people have probably stockpiled them when the normal sanitary towels went out of stock.
That’s got me worried now as I want my hospital bag sorted within the next 5 weeks, I was going to go to superdrug tomorrow and get supplies. I know that amazon is still delivering though and has maternity pads etc.

Regarding your snuz pod, I bit the bullet and ordered my pram from mamas and papas today and they are still saying their delivery time is 5 days so I’m sure you will be okay with getting that.

My mums friend gave birth two days ago and was sent home an hour after to reduce exposure to the virus so they will most probably try and hurry you home as soon as it’s safe to do so, obviously will be a bit longer after a c section though.