To feel frustrated that I can't see my midwife cos I tested positive for covid

[Bug8]

I tested positive for covid on Monday last week and I had an appointment booked with the mid wife for Monday the 18th. I was still testing positive by the 17th, so I told the midwife who said I couldn't go in until I tested negative twice in row. I was okay with that, but then she said i could see her at the hospital (she will be running a clinic) on the 24th provided I tested negative on 22nd and 23rd. So today I tested positive again. I have a baby measuring up small as seen on my last scan and have another scan booked for the 29th and then a c-section booked for the 2nd Jan as they want to take baby out at 37 weeks. I have seen where it says sometimes someone can test positive for weeks and weeks. With my tests coming out positive, Am just wondering whether am going to have wait to go for the scan if I still test positive and whether they will cancel my c-section until I test negative. Am just frustrated to say the least as there's no clear information to put my mind at ease. Anyone been in this situation before? Please advise

She's right. She has to think about her other patients.

When I tested positive I was told if I had to go in to call ahead and they’d isolate a room for me but my routine appointment was rescheduled so maybe worth a phone call if your still positive nearer the time…. Fingers crossed you’ll be negative by then!

We suddenly started measuring small and were induced at 37 weeks and all was fine except for panic buying loads of tiny clothes!

Well, 1) why are you testing? and 2) why did you tell her? This is entirely down to you, OP.

Weeks and weeks for PCR tests, not likely for the lateral flow tests that you do at home.

If it's necessary, the mw will see you and take infection prevention precautions. As will scanning/obstetric team. Try not to worry.

Why on earth are you testing? Just tell her you've tested negative by then.

Lol.

People are STILL using these 'tests'?

You might be interested what the inventor of the PCR tests was on record as saying.

Right you are infectious for so many days. At that point no matter how 'diligent' you are in still doing these tests, you really are a) not protecting anyone b) are just shooting yourself in the foot.

So stop testing. And just bloody see her.

Hi OP, my partner kept testing positive whilst in Africa in the middle of nowhere so his company got expert specialist advice. Apparently you often keep testing positive because you are isolating inside then rebreathe in all the dead covid particles [this is my likely poor recollection of what was said but it is the gist of it]. He was told to open all the doors and windows and get as much fresh air as possible. He tested negative the next day. Worth a try perhaps? Though not the best season for opening up your home to the outside.

Fuck me. Such selfishness.

End this nonsense and tell her you are negative

Omg just lie at this point it’s been ages

Regardless of Covid you are still a patient. People with Covid give birth. If there are any concerns regarding your baby’s welfare do not delay seeking treatment. The hospital will have infection control measures.

I’m on the overcautious side but even I think she’s being ridiculous. At its strictest wasn’t it 10 days of self isolation and then you were free regardless, with no need to test? (There then came a period of ‘test to release’ where you could stop isolating earlier with 2 consecutive negative tests - is she misremembering that maybe??) Anyway, you’re well past the (obsolete) 10-day mark by the 24th so just go along.

Monday last week is the 11th.
Today is the 22nd.

This is what the NHS say:

What to do if you have tested positive
You are no longer required to do a COVID-19 rapid lateral flow test if you have symptoms.

But if you or your child have tested positive for COVID-19:

try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 3 days after the day the test was taken if you or your child are under 18 years old – children and young people tend to be infectious to other people for less time than adults
try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days after the day you took your test if you are 18 years old or over
avoid meeting people who are more likely to get seriously ill from viruses, such as people with a weakened immune system, for 10 days after the day you took your test

^www.nhs.uk/conditions/covid-19/covid-19-symptoms-and-what-to-do/#:~:text=time%20than%20adults-,try%20to%20stay%20at%20home%20and%20avoid%20contact%20with%20other,day%20you%20took%20your%20test^

So no need to take a second test after your first at all to get a negative test. And ten days max away from vulnerable people after the first day you test positive. Which you have now passed.

So stop making life unnecessarily hard for yourself.

Pointless engaging with that.

Poor you. Is it worth writing to head of obstetrics to find out exactly what would happen if you test positive indefinitely? There might be processes in place for this.

You absolutely did the right thing by testing fwiw. I work in medicine and have occasionally seen things turn serious when a pregnant person contracts covid in the third trimester especially, so testing is absolutely the morally right thing to do.

I have nurse friends who are specifically told not to test because they can’t be having them off work- they are to be off work only when they are actually poorly, regardless of what they have

I don’t know why there should be one rule for HCPs and am different one for patient

there was no requirement to test in the first place. So now it’s time to lie and go in. The chances you are still infectious are remote and whether you are or not, she will be being exposed to covid every single day.

I had COVID while pregnant and my tests took twice as long to go negative than anyone else in my family. I was also flu A positive in the last week of my pregnancy (scheduled induction due to baby issues) and they had a designated 'dirty room' for scans and ctgs etc. I had to call when I was outside and someone would bring me a mask and take me there. They would then have the room cleaned after my use

She needs to put a mask on if she’s that worried about catching it or passing it on to her patients.
An FFP2 air tight mask carried me safely during covid whilst I was working as an essential worker with Covid patients.
I eventually caught Covid last year when I stopped wearing a mask like everyone else.
Just goes to show that good FFP2 masks are. She ought to get one if she’s that bothered. Covid is everywhere now - again!

Back in the old days of covid they would have seen you anyway as baby is a priority.

OP has already stayed away from appointments for a week. She’s measuring small and requires a scan in a few days to monitor her situation- surely WAY more important than still showing a line on an LF test from a 2-week long covid infection?

I would be going to see her on the 24th regardless. Even if you test positive. Because A) there is no obligation to test anymore, B) they don't even provide free tests anymore so all this is costing you C) the latest advice is to isolate for 5 days, you will have done 13 by that point which is more than adequate D) there are already concerns about your baby's growth and we knew women in their 3rd trimester are more at risk of issues if they contract covid and therefore it is even more important to see your midwife and attend scans.

Jesus Christ OP if this is real give your head a hard shake. Your baby is measuring small: fucking lie woman.

Your baby is more important than worrying about the other bullshit with stupid tests. Tell her you've tested negative and go get your scan - and don't bloody test again!

What a vile attitude.