Covid and ceasarian... how worried should I be?

[Milkshake7489]

So I have just been told that I need a ceasarian due to baby being big. I know that they are pretty routine but does anyone know how big a risky they are in relation to covid?

I know that lots of people are catching covid in hospital and that surgery puts you at more risk from covid, but I can't get an answer on how big the risk might be (unfortunately my consultant just brushed off my questions and basically told me vaginal birth was impossible so there's no point worrying ).

I'm also really worried about being in hospital alone after surgery for a few days. Will I be able to look after my baby?

Any advice or experiences would be really helpful!

I had a c section 5 weeks ago. It was only scheduled the day before due to pre eclampsia. I had a covid test the day before it was scheduled, the morning of the birth because they lost my test and then a third one on the second morning after the birth as per the hospital policy.

Everything is very clean and sterile. If anyone had symptoms or a positive test they would be in a separate area to everybody else.

Hello,

I had an emergency section towards the end of the year. I was also worried about giving birth during the pandemic but I was surprised at how comfortable I was made to feel. Once in the hospital myself and my husband were put into our labour room and we were introduced to our midwife who never left our room unless going for their break or finishing their shift, they didnt go in and out of the room and were in full PPE the whole time and were continually cleaning their hands. When I was told I needed an emergency section again all the staff that came into my room and into theatre were in full PPE and everything was done following their strict guidelines, never at any point did I feel unsafe. After my section I was taken to the recovery ward where all the beds were spaced out and I only shared a room with one other girl instead of the usual 4 beds being used. My husband had to go home that night as he wasnt allowed to stay over in the recovery ward but was allowed back first thing in the morning, I was then given my own private room and my husband was allowed to stay all day and night, although whenever the midwife or doctor came in my room my husband had to wear a face mask.....he also had to wear one the full labour but that tends to happen for a section anyway. After the section you are pretty uncomfortable but for me it didnt stop me caring for my baby, I just done things slower than normal but it did help having my husband stay over with me so make sure to ask about your own room but due to covid they are trying to keep everyone at a distance as much as possible so you may be offered a room before asking. If your husband cant stay over the midwives do help you with feeding or changing your baby if you are in pain or struggling. It is a worrying time but please try and not worry too much as the staff are making sure everything is safe :)

Hi OP, first time posting here. In a similar position to you, due a section in 4 weeks due to size of baby. I too was worried about how covid would affect this.
From experience of having emergency abdominal surgery at 8.5 weeks pregnant last year, I would say that you're very unlikely to catch it whilst in hospital because of how stringent they now are with their PPE and everything else. I was on a ward with 5 other people after my surgery (all pregnant) we had to wear masks in bed and when using toilets, showers etc and all the staff were very good with changing their ppe constantly.

Unfortunately for me, I now think I have covid, my parents both tested positive today, and we all live on the same bit of land but in separate houses. I have mixed with them because my mum is vulnerable and I have had to look after her/get shopping etc before they tested + I havs now lost my taste, have an upset stomach and I am shivery Its more likely that you will pick it up from supermarkets or anyone in your household who may still be going to work. I am awaiting a postal test now, and praying my symptoms don't get worse. Try and shield yourself as much as possible between now and your section. Midwife from ward called me and gave me loads of advice on what to expect and what measures are currently in place as well as advice for DH. Hopefully someone from your hospital will do the same and if not you can always ask everything on your pre op to make sure you're prepared.

Thanks all, it's reassuring to hear that you had good experiences

Did anyone explain the risks of catching covid post op to you?

@121gigawatts

I'm sorry to hear that you might be have caught it. The last weeks of pregnancy are stressful enough without extra worries. Hopefully both you and your parents will have it mildly and be better before your baby's arrival (if you do find out you have it)

Thanks, I still feel rotten at the moment @milkshake7849. Nobody explained risks of catching post section. Hopefully due to the measures that are in place in hospital you won't. You will be provided with a surgical paper mask whilst in hospital, probably a few as you should change them twice a day. I think if you were to catch it then the one thing I would be worried about is the coughing with the stitches, that's if you were to develop a cough. Do you have a pre-op section midwife you can call? Mine is really nice and should be able to put your mind at ease at the measures in place. IMO they're much more knowledgeable than the doctors as they're on the wards, I asked my consultant a few things at last appointment and she couldn't answer anything but midwife was able to answer my questions. Also I've asked for a 24 hour discharge, don't want to spend any more time there than I have to. They said this fine as long as all goes to plan.
I plan to stay at home 2 weeks after surgery and not allow any visitors (lockdown has cemented this anyway now!) The only place I have to go is the supermarket and to my parents anyway but just planned to have everything in and ready and DH will be staying in too.

All staff will be doing lateral flow tests twice a week. All women and birth partners should screened on admission. So hopefully the risk is low.

No one went over the risks of catching covid post op with me but they do follow strict guidelines in the ward so I didnt feel as scared as what I was working myself up to be! The midwives change their PPE continually and there were cleaners in my ward going round all the time. I did hear a midwife tell someone off that was visiting another mum/baby for not wearing his mask, he was told he would need to leave if he didn't follow rules so they are on the ball making sure you are kept safe.

Yeah, agree with previous posters, lateral flow tests are done twice a week, I was informed this by hospital staff because they have many off at the moment due to asymptomatic staff testing positive. So that's really good as in the first wave it wouldn't have been picked up and staff would have gone into work and spread the virus. Also you and your partner will be tested too on your pre op as will all other patients so again this limits the spread again. Visiting hours are very limited and only birth partners allowed to visit. I honestly think that maternity units are one of the safest places right now because of all the measures in place.

Just wanted to offer some reassurance about caring for your baby in hospital after; hopefully you won’t be in too long as they’re getting people out quite quickly but I had my son at 3.15pm and by 8pm I could pick him up out of the crib using the electronic bed to help me and feed him and change his nappy on the bed. I needed help to get him safely back into the crib but the midwives were happy to do that when I rang the call bell and they said if I had any problems getting him out just to ring for them. By the next morning I could move around to care for him.

That's all really reassuring (especially about getting out quite quickly!)- thanks

@121gigawatts

I'm sorry to hear you're not feeling good, fingers crossed you feel better soon