Help me calm down!

[Thistledew]

I'm due an induction today.

My normally great but sometimes thoughtless MiL has come to look after my 3 yr old.

She has turned up doused in perfume. She knows that my asthma is triggered by certain artificial scents and sure enough this one has got me coughing.

I now have to speak to the hospital about when they want me to come in without them thinking that I have a 'new and persistent cough' so they don't allocate me to a 'suspected COVID ward'.

I know it is just thoughtlessness on her part but I can't help be livid! WTF was she thinking?

Why do you think they wouldn't believe you if you said it was an asthma cough brought on by your MIL's perfume?

You don’t have a temperature. Just explain the situation.

I think your overreacting. Just concentrate on getting yourself to the induction and your lovely new baby.

Just tell them why you're coughing. It'll be fine.

I know how you feel OP and can sympathise. I have a relative with chemical sensitivity and they get physically ill from perfumes and such. But many people act like it’s not real and they just don’t “like” perfume. So they ignore any requests to not wear the stuff. It was especially hard for my family member at work too.
So I can understand why you are so upset, you are allergic to the perfume as it is a trigger for your asthma. Your MIL knows this but refuses to believe that perfume allergies are real and wears it anyway. It’s that complete disregard for your health. Really makes a person furious.
At least today is a day warm enough to open windows. Open them in the house before you leave and hopefully that will keep the smell from lingering.