Induction

[Fem1985]

Hi guys, help. I’m booked in to be induced on Monday at 37 weeks pregnant. The medical reason for this is prolonged rupture of membranes. I have been attending hospital twice a week for check ups to check I’m not getting an infection after losing some waters. Although I don’t seem to be losing more at the moment.

Unfortunately earlier this week ( the day after my induction was booked) my son had a positive lateral flow test. I have been testing every day and I’m still negative my partner did a test today and he is currently negative. I have been told if he tests positive by/on Monday he wont be allowed in while I am in labour, with a small possibility he may be allowed in for the birth.

My partner is understandably upset he may miss the birth of our new baby. We have two children already although it’s only my son testing positive at the moment and we can re-test him on Sunday. My parents are elderly and although they are fully vaccinated I don’t want to put them at risk of catching covid if we are positive which means my partner would have to stay at home and look after the children.

My partner wants me to argue for the induction to be delayed. I’ve had different advice from the hospital. One person I spoke to said it could be and another member of staff said it couldn’t be. He wants to be there I want him there, but I also want to go ahead on Monday. He feels I am not fighting his corner and disregarding his wishes. Am I being unreasonable to press on with the induction whether he is there or not ?

Personally I would go for the induction when they are recommending. They wouldn’t recommend it lightly I wouldn’t have thought, especially with an infection risk. How long does he want you to delay it for? Depending on when/if he tests positive it could surely be a while…

That’s the problem. If he was to test positive hospital policy says he would have to do the full ten days isolation

Just to give some little bit of hope - last January before any vaccines and during the surge my toddler caught covid when I was 38 weeks pregnant and I was due to be induced in week 39.

Some how despite my toddler breathing, sneezing and drooling all over us - we did not catch it from him and we going for PCR tests every 4 days due to the imminent birth of our next child.

My induction could have been delayed - advised due to age risk but I know if I had delayed it and something happened (not trying to guilt you) I would never have forgiven myself. To me - healthy child is the priority and I spent many nights crying myself to sleep last Jan terrified I would get it, partner would get it etc. be in labour alone etc

Thanks for your message.bless you I’m glad you didn’t catch it. yeah the thought of being in labour alone is not great, I feel the same really. If something was to happen, if I got an infection ect it would be hard to forgive myself.

It is by no means a given that your DH will get it. My son’s covid showed up at the tail end of a family holiday where we all stayed in a small caravan and spent many hours in the car together. The other four of us didn’t get it.

I do understand why you are worried of course but the health of the baby and you has to come before your DH’s hurt feelings. You and he would never forgive yourselves if you waited longer and ended up with a bad outcome as a result. Your husband is an adult and he should be able to handle disappointment. It is troubling that he is willing to possibly compromise your and your baby’s safety just so HE doesn’t miss it.

Whatever is safest for you and the baby.
It might mean that he won’t be there for birth but much better than infecting several people with covid.
He’s not positive yet so fingers crossed for you.
Wishing you a light labour and a very squishy baby to cuddle 🥰

I'm not sure I understand his logic to delay the induction - he could not get it from your child that's positive now, but in a few days your other child could get it too, and he could then catch it from them? Surely it would make more sense to have the induction as soon as you're allowed to if the priority is for him to be there? I really feel for you OP, it's a really hard one. However no way would i personally agree to delay an induction by up to ten days if he were to test positive soon - that's a very long time... Is there anyone else you could take with you instead if he were to catch it?

Completely get he would rather be there and you would rather have him there too. However why would be willingly risk the health and more importantly lives of you and your unborn child? He needs to think of the bigger picture.