To not know what to do? Norovirus, newborn baby and c section

[rc1232]

Hi, Posted in here just as seems to get a lot of answers. just need some advice.

Basically cut long story short.

-Family member got sick with stomach bug on Saturday, last vomit/diarreah Sunday.

• Other family members waited a few days to see them (going off 48h rule, which I've now read might not even be the case)

-family member resumed on Thursday and saw some other family members for tea -Saturday now and said family members now have D&V. Presumably from the original family member.

We've luckily not seen anyone this week for various reasons. But the problem is, we're due to have baby #2 via c section on Tuesday. Original family members and family members who have got it now were out childcare and backup childcare for our toddler ☹️ meaning I either let toddler go as planned Tuesday morning (if they stop vomiting tonight or tomorrow and are well enough) or I give birth on my own and have husband stay at home with toddler to prevent getting it.

Either situation seems shit. So upset 😭 but don't know what to do. What's worse? Having c section alone or us all possibly getting the bug/noro when bringing newborn home. Petrified baby will get it and be very ill as seems like something that could be very very harmful to a newborn?

read online and you can be contagious for 2 weeks after. No one was aware about this as 48h rule is what's widely knows so no one's fault. I'm just so upset.

If husband stays at home with toddler and I have section alone when will we then be able to see family realistically? 2 weeks? ☹️ Christmas and my birth feels ruined and no idea how I'll survive the first few weeks without my support system.

Didn't even want a bloody c section (medical reasons have forced it), petrified enough already without this now. Can't be postponed, but doesn't really matter I guess as a few days probs won't make the difference.

Anyway, what would you do if you were me?

I think I'd go it alone too OP.
I'm so sorry you're stressed. Do be honest with the hospital tho about the circumstances & how you're feeling. I'm sure they'll be lovely with you.

@Destiny123 thank you so much, video is incredibly helpful as I really didn't even know what to expect from the whole thing. I think it's the fear of the unknown which is terrifying me! Thank you again.

And thank you everyone, I know I'll be okay it just feels so far from it right now- just feel heartbroken, feels like every choice I've had in this birth has been taken from me and just feel terribly sad xx

I would have DH look after DC1. Tbh with my second I could have happily had the c section on my own, was chatting to the staff and felt more confident after.

Hi OP, sorry you've got this stress on top of everything! Echoing what others have said in that noro is a big no no, it's not worth the risk.

In terms of the section, I was TERRIFIED of having one. Had the most straight forward pregnancy known to man, and ended up in an ambulance after a big bleed and had to have an emergency section due to placental abruption.

For me, the worst part about it was the going down to theatre. I got myself in a right state and I was so so scared of the epidural and everything, but it was nowhere near what I had bigged up in my head, I promise ♥️. In terms of recovery, keep on top of the painkillers and try and rest as much as possible (which sounds crazy with a newborn and a toddler and Christmas, but throw noro in too...).

Sending you lots of love and good wishes for Tuesday x

could you ask a neighbour? A mum friend? A babysitter from a reputable agency? A distant cousin? It would be so sad for your DH to miss the birth and for you to be alone.

I know hospital staff be great with me, just feels like such a Special moment for DH to miss out on. Just can't believe it💔

In regards to sending toddler in nursery- the same bug has been going round for the past 7 days there too, so I'm guessing this puts toddler at the same (possibly bigger) risk of getting it. So can't go there either 😔

I can't imagine much worse than norovirus with a c section wound. The pressure on the wound and having to run to the loo would be horrendous.

I don't know if you have a section for your first birth, but if not (or if it was emergency) then let me reassure you that it was honestly a very positive experience. All very chilled. Really wishing you best of luck 🌻

Echoing other posters to say I have had 3 sections. 1 emergency, 2 planned for medical reasons. An elective section is all very calm and gentle and you can't feel pain. I was so calm for my third we just dropped my older two kids at primary school on the way to the hospital that morning like nothing was happening. If you have any questions about what happens please ask them. I think more informed always means calmer.

No mum friend you could ask? I would happily help someone in a situation like this. a childminder in your area that could take her for the morning? Anyone in your DH’s family?

Your toddler will be fine for a couple of hours. But it would be very sad for DH to miss.

You don't want to risk norovirus if you can help it, someone gave it to my first at 8 weeks old, he was fine after a few days but, of course, I caught it off him and then my milk supply went down as I was dehydrated just as he felt better and wanted more milk🥴 not good and should imagine far worse if you just had c-section. I'm sure the midwives will be extra supportive if you are on your own......to be honest I think I would have preferred to be without my husband a lot of the time😂 I've had three!

Do you have anyone else who can watch your toddler? Or who can accompany you for the birth?

You do not want D&V after a c-section. That would be absolutely horrendous.
best of luck. A PP had a really positive story about being on her own for her c-section, so take solace from that and try to mentally prepare and think along those lines. Lots of lovely snuggles for you and baby alone. DH and toddler will be able to see you soon after.

I had noro 10 days after DS2 was born and it was the worst I have ever felt in my life, I didn’t have a c section but can imagine that would have been awful. I’d definitely recommend avoiding it if you can.

Do you know any parents of nursery friends that you could ask? What about local babysitting services?

In case noro does make its way into your home - all is not lost. My baby didn’t catch it from me even though I was breastfeeding and on the day I got ill, DH had gone back to work so I was solo parenting newborn and 2 year old, neither of them caught it despite me basically just laying in bed with both of them all day.

DH was at my cs but I honestly would have been fine on my own. And he won’t see the birth as such - there’ll be a screen up. There will be lots of staff in the room and you’ll be well looked after. I’d definitely opt for keeping DC away from any risk of norovirus.

I also did not want a cs, but it was fine, and I recovered well. Try to get your head round the idea of it - safety first, not personal birth preference. Then I think you can approach it as positively as possible .

Where are you OP? Maybe someone can recommend a childminder for the day?

Thanks everyone,

Anyone who's had it before how long does it typically last?? Family member was only ill for less than 24h, is this typical? Going to have the section alone, but terrified of getting it after baby is born and trying to work out when people can visit/help. I can't believe it's contagious for 2 weeks! Why are we all told 48hrs?!

I'm a bit wary sending toddler to a childminder as it's really doing its rounds here. Nursery is full of it- reason why toddler isn't going there on Tuesday! So feel like I may aswell just not take the risk, I'll still be worrying if not. What a shit, shit situation. Our last baby too 😔 everything was supposed to be so special

Not sure how helpful this is but either way DD2 norovirus set off my labour and me and DH were both in hospital with me giving birth while still being sick.

It was not pleasant BUT a) I had a side room as contagious b) DD2 didn't catch anything, although breastfeeding on the loo with diarrhoea was a low.

I'd have DH with me, and hand DC to the person who was poorly the longest time ago if it was me.

Surely two weeks is extreme?!!! No one would ever see anyone if that's the case.

It’s entirely upto you what you do love but I’ve had 3 sections and the last thing you want when recovering is norovirus - the norovirus viral particles can live on surfaces for days and stays present in stool for 2 weeks so it’s easily transmittable even when someone has stopped vomiting / having diahhrea so there’s still a very strong chance of your little one picking it up from there house . If I was in your position I would go for your section alone and have your partner and child visit after - it’s not worth the risk love , I wokld keep him away from nursery till after Christmas too , then It gives you time to recover xx

Oh gosh what a tough situation you are in. I understand you are anxious but honestly there is no way I would want to risk catching norovirus after a c section. 100% better to both alone but then have you, your DH and eldest DC all well to enjoy those first few precious weeks.

As an aside, I had a vaginal birth first time around and a c section the second and I really wish c sections weren’t made into this big scary terrible thing they seem to be. All I’d heard before were terrible things and how much worse recovery would be. But it was honestly fine. I used hypnobirthing techniques to calm anxiety and it was over so quickly, didn’t feel any pain after despite it being an emergency one too. Walked to pick DS up from nursery a few days after. I know it’s not like that for everyone but I really wished I’d heard more positive c section stories before having mine, I thought it was going to be the worst thing ever compared to a VB.

Good luck with whatever you decide, this time next week you’ll be home all together enjoying the newborn snuggles

@UpendedPineapple no that's actually really helpful to see another experience on it too, thank you for sharing! Sorry you went through that but i'm glad baby didn't get it, so worried about this if it makes its way into the house! Can I ask how long it lasted approx?

It's so hard knowing what to do! I'm so worried about the prospect of giving birth alone and then also so worried about norovirus! Honestly no decision seems like a good one.

The 2 week rule seems excessive to me too but google seems to insist it's still contagious! It's crazy, half the people I know are nurses/teachers and live by the 48h rule! So mad!

If everyone stops vomiting tomorrow it'll be 10 days on Xmas day- would anyone risk seeing family on Xmas day? It'll be so sad if my birth AND Christmas is ruined. I know it seems trivial but I'm just so sad and trying to cheer myself up a bit ☹️

Yeah I’d defo see them after 10 days for Christmas!

Obviously it depends on the reason behind your section. But could you ask if it could be delayed by a couple of days possibly?

c sections are never 100% guaranteed on a particular date anyway as if they have emergencies they come first

Definitely keeping toddler off nursery till after Xmas now! Not worth it!

@Waffle19 thank you so much for sharing. Yeah I feel like everything has been SO negative about CS. As soon as I told everyone I was having one all I've been met with if 'oh no!' And 'oh god so and so had one and couldn't get out of bed for weeks what a nightmare!'

I've well and truly been scared stiff! I really do hope it's a positive experience and not like I'm expecting it!