Due May 2020 (thread 6)

[sao81]

6th thread already 😬😬😬 not long now

I’m trying to have some kind of structure to my day. Making sure I get up and showered in the morning otherwise to temptation to mope in my pyjamas would be too much! I have a 4 year old too so trying to keep him entertained keeps me busy but it’s hard because we are both used to going out every day. We are never at home. He usually goes to pre school twice a week too which isn’t happening. I’ve got some craft bits to do with him and aim to do some kind of activity every day whether it be making cards or drawing or baking. But as much as my intentions are there, it depends on my mood. Luckily we have a garden so can go out there for a bit.
I’m going to Group FaceTime my family this afternoon so that will keep me going today.
I think we are all in the same boat, I’m trying to stay off the news because it’s more depressing every day and it’s going to get much much worse, this is early days still.

Hopefully between us all we can keep each other going 😊

How's everyone feeling today?
My midwife called and my app tomorrow is going ahead! I better lay off the chocolate biscuits today 😂🙈
Thank god the sun is out and shinning through our windows, let's hope it stays that way!
My 3 year old is running round the house in just a T-shirt and nothing else and has been for about 2 hours because it's not worth the argument of getting him ready 😂 (he's not too cold, it's nice and toasty here!)

Hope everyone is keeping well ❤️

@november90 was feeling ok until what I've just saw 😥 my hospital have banned all visitors, birthing partner will be contacted when in labour, if you're induced you go in alone until you are in labour when your birthing partner will then be allowed in

That seems like a strange rule, if they're allowed to come in at some point, why not for the entire time? He'd be unlikely to leave your side once in. Are you certain that's what they said?
Sounds a bit risky like women would stay at home for as long as possible to avoid being without their partner (I know I would) and that brings risks!
How odd.
My trust (where I work and will be giving birth) have just said only one birth partner and that's it. No visitors after birth. Though I am up north so not as affected yet as elsewhere.

Fingers crossed the lock down works and things ease off in the next few weeks for you x

I am getting a bit worried as now we aren't meant to mix families, we have no one to have our 7 year old. Means I may have to go it alone unless they ease restrictions by end of May.

@sao81 whaaaaattt that sounds very odd doesn't it! Where did you find this information out? How can they impose that when labour is different and can happen so quickly?! It could all change by the time we are full term, hopefully these measures will improve things for us ❤️

@Ginfilledcats @november90 its been posted on the hospitals website regarding visitors here www.liverpoolwomens.nhs.uk/covid19/ it seems so so strict 😥 i thought it would be ok as it isnt a general hospital but they've really pulled it in today. If I go naturally it should be ok but there's been talk of a possible induction and I worry he wont get there in time if I go quick like last time
@raindancer411 i think in the circumstances you would be allowed to have someone mind your child whilst going in, as we are relying on my sister for this

@sao81 oh god I am in Merseyside, didn't realise it was the women's. Does seem very strict. Fingers crossed things improve for you and you get your birth partner with you! Keep hoping!! Stay positive x

@Ginfilledcats I'm at the point now I'm just going to mentally prepare myself for being alone, as things are changing so quick who knows how much further they will go! Other local hospitals don't seem to be as strict but could change

@sao81 I'm having my baby at the women's hospital too and after reading your post and the link I'm shocked!! I was induced with my first baby because she was late and it was awful I can't imagine going through that again without my husbands support!
I also thought that because its not a general hospital it wouldn't change too much but obvs not!
I think even if I go past my due date I'd be too scared to be induced again but then it's not very safe for the baby to stay in too long is it!
I thought about changing to a home birth but then also worried that if there were any complications that an ambulance wouldn't be able to get to us fast enough!
What a time to be having a baby! hoping things change for the better in the next 7 weeks but can't really see it happening that quickly!

@babymamma192 I was also induced with my first and it was around 12 hours before they even took me to the labour ward, its a scary time isnt it! The midwives when delivering were amazing but the ward afterwards was a nightmare, I really dont want to be there alone again but I dont want to be rushed home too soon either, my heads up the wall with it all. Have you had any contact from your midwife about it all? I've not heard a thing from her and I have my next appointment next week I feel like I'm stuck in limbo

@sao81 yeh I was left with my husband and mum for hours in one of the rooms with the big bath thing in and that's all I had for pain relief for hours they didn't give me gas and air for some reason! I was having contractions 2 minutes apart the whole time but nothing was actually happening took me ages to actually get into labour so I would hate to be alone like that!
Yeh I hated being on the ward too was planning on asking for a side room this time (think you have to pay for it) but doubt that will happen now and there's not much point if my husband can't stay anyway!
I can't even describe how I feel right now I'm so so scared and I either want to get the baby out right now or keep her in there till it's all over!
I just feel so out of control and we don't know if it's going to change again or what!
I left the day after I had my baby last time but then really struggled to breastfeed her and so I thought this time round I might stay in for a bit longer to get the right help witb feeding but now I think I'll have the baby and if all is well I'll leave as soon as possible!
I haven't heard anything from them but I go to the community midwife for all my appointments and they don't know whats happening in the hospital so it's a bit rubbish really! Hopefully when you go to your appointment they will know more about what's going on x

God this feels like a nightmare. I am hoping for a home birth but would be awful to be without DP. My mother is supposed to be looking after toddler while I’m in labour but not even sure that will be allowed. So much for a positive birth experience. I could cry

@Babymamma192 I was hoping to stay in too but I don't want to stay with no support. They sent me home without my bloods coming back, I'd lost 480ml blood and was told "oh thats only a can of coke, we only worry when its 500ml" turns out my iron levels were half what they should of been, I collapsed the next day and needed iron tablets 3 times a day for 6 months. Hopefully it has all calmed down by time our little ones arrive! If midwife says anything next week I will post on here for you xx
@ginunicorn it just doesnt seem real does it! I feel like it's a bad dream and will wake up back to normal tomorrow

I think the key is not to panic at the moment. Things are constantly changing and although they are likely to get a lot worse, it may also be a bit better by May. Those birthing restrictions are in place at the moment because any day now the peak is going to hit and they need to have guidelines in place. Just keep an eye on things and try and keep as positive as you can. We can’t change things so we have to try not to get stressed. I’m trying to focus on enjoying all the kicks and movements from baby as this will likely be my last pregnancy. As long as baby is healthy that’s all that matters x

@sao81 yeh it was bad enough being there over night on my own never mind a few days without support!
I can't believe they sent you home after loosing that much blood! Definitely have to check they've had your bloods back before you go home this time!
I hope it has all calmed down by then... Im due on the 16th May and gonna do everything I can think of to get her to come naturally!
That would be great thank you! Hope the appointment goes well

@Emmacb82
Your right but it's hard isn't it! But I suppose there's no point stressing when we don't actually know what things are going to be like in a few weeks just have to take it one day at a time!

Had a message from the maternity team. The hospital is now saying no visitors bar certain reasons. One being ladies in labour allowed one partner for birth, but then they have to go home as not allowed on ward.

Our hospital has just said the same. Partner can be there for the birth and then has to leave and can’t come back, no visitors allowed on the post natal wards at all. Just sat and sobbed my heart out. My care was shocking last time round and he was my saviour when I couldn’t even get out of bed. I was trying really hard to be positive yesterday but it’s all gone today 😢

Just an update - spoke to midwife today. She said all routine midwife appointments should be attended alone. Currently they are only allowing once birthing partner but things could change if the situation gets worse. So let's see...

They are predicting the peak of this nasty thing around Easter so I'm hopeful that by the time we get into May, things may have calmed down somewhat 🤞🏽and we will be fine 😊

To be honest if I give birth in hospital I’d rather the postnatal ward was single sex. I just hope we can have birthing partner I’d be devastated to be alone.

Let’s cross everything @123Pandy

Hi all not posted in a while, I was at the hospital today for my 32 week growth scan and consultant appointment. I passed out in the waiting room my anxiety got the better of me, I felt soo embarrassed. My hospital aren't allowing partners to come to scans, appointments or maternity assesment. I'm allowed my partner to be with me during labour but he's not allowed under any circumstances to leave the maternity ward if he does he's not allowed back and allowed a 1 hour visit per day if baby and I are kept in, this could all change though. I was talking to a health care assistant today and she said that all the 20 week scans are getting cancelled in the next week as they aren't as important, I was really shocked by this. It was soo strange at the hospital today was eerily quiet. Hope everyone is keeping well as can be xx

I’ve been notified that my DH can be my birth partner and then he’s allowed to visit from 10am-8pm after the baby is born. No other visitors are allowed at all. There’s been a corona death at my hospital as well so they’re being super strict but it almost doesn’t feel fair that my hospital are offering better visiting hours than others.

I echo what @RainbowsX said, it was eerily quiet at my appointment yesterday. Can’t praise the staff enough though - explaining everything, being super friendly, making everyone feel at ease given they were all in masks, aprons and gloves etc. I’m having a csection and my consultant said that the current crisis doesn’t have any impact on my surgery and it will go ahead when planned with the only change being that I might have my own room to recover in as they’re expecting to have corona-positive mums in recovery at that point.

I hope everyone is okay as they can be - what a weird and crazy time, let alone a time to be pregnant!

Wow I haven't even asked about birthing partners and visitors. I'm expecting a c section as baby still large and breach so I could be in a couple of days! My mum will be my partner as my ex said he doesn't want to be there!

I had my midwife app today and it was lovely. They didn't mention the virus once winging was refreshing! My next app is at 36 weeks... I wonder what everything will look like then! I hope this lockdown will be over but I'm not holding my breath 😩😬

It seems like alot of us will be in the same boat regarding visitors/birth partners, I just hope this is as far as they go with it all! Fingers crossed that the peak is around Easter and things start to settle, as this is one thing we shouldn't have to even consider as pregnant women.