Anyone a bit scared about giving birth imminently (Covid impacted care?)

[Chezrone]

Hi all,

I’m usually quite rational about maternity services and accepting of the fact you will probably have the birth you need in the circumstances rather than the nice calm water birth dream birth … I’m reaching 38 weeks and my MW, I suppose to manage expectations when discussing birth plan (ha!) mentioned half the MLU attached to my local hospital is now allocated to Covid beds- this is not ideal clearly as sounds like a reduction in choices in birth is being introduced, but happy to have the baby in a normal hospital birthing suite - baby’s safe arrival is the priority!

But I can’t help having some apprehension that the staff may be overwhelmed given reported shortages and resource reallocation and something may be missed or I’m left to make do in pain….

Is anyone who has had their baby recently willing to share how the experience went, particularly if this is a subsequent birth?

For background, this will be #2 for me so it may just be jitters as I know what is round the corner…. Hence being awake overthinking at 445 am!

Also very aware HCPs are working to the limit and this is not about bashing them, simply just wanting to go in with my eyes open (first birth certainly was different to expectations set by NCT - fairy lights and scented candles twas not )

Hi OP, I had my second baby a few weeks ago. Quite a large gap between my two, so a decent comparison. In my experience I would say that I didn’t notice how pressured they were.

I was induced so there was a bit of waiting as they were so busy on the delivery suite, but once things kicked off they found me a room sharpish.

I know it will vary from hospital to hospital, but for me it was absolutely fine- I think the midwives are so professional, they always gave me the time I needed.

Good luck!

That’s very reassuring;) pleaded it all went well and wasn’t a noticeable difference in care

I came out of hospital yesterday after having had my second. Had a 24 hour stay on the post natal ward and my care throughout from arriving on the maternity assessment unit, to delivery suite to then post natal ward was second to non. I feel so lucky because I can imagine it does differs hospital to hospital but everyone from cleaners to food services and all the midwives couldn’t do enough. Of course a couple of times especially overnight I rang the buzzer as I needed a hand with something but someone was always along within a minute.

I had my first 2 years ago and had an awful post natal experience. Was in for #2 3 weeks ago, was quite poorly after birth so was in for a week and like the pp everyone was so supportive and couldn't do enough.

Congrats to you all! Thank you for sharing

I had my baby two weeks ago and the maternity ward and staff were absolutely wonderful. I had a traumatic labour and ended up having an emergency c section due to sepsis and although the ward was clearly busy, I had constant support and reassurance from the nurses, doctors and midwives from the minute they identified my sepsis, to going into theatre and during the aftercare. They were miraculous! Please don't worry about it and good luck. The staff are incredible.

I had my first last June in the height of the pandemic and couldn't fault the care at all I am due in 2 weeks with number 2 and hoping it will be the same @Chezrone

I've recently had a baby and at the time he was born, my labour ward was closed on a day to day basis as they had no staff and people were being sent to hospital an hour and a half away. It was terrifying, I was admitted to be induced and things kept getting delayed because if I went into active labour there wasn't a midwife there to be allocated to me. I couldn't wait for natural labour as I labour quickly and I had a big baby on board. When we finally did get to the point where I was top of the list, I had a midwife drafted in from London (I live 2 hours north of London) to be assigned to me. It really was bare bones situation.

However, my care was amazing. The staff were exhausted, not taking breaks or meals properly, but it didn't stop them caring for me in a way they should. I had a PPH and when alarms were pressed there were plenty of staff there to help, I wasn't left uncared for at any point.

Please try not to worry. Midwives are amazing no matter the circumstances.

@HopelesslyHopeful87 you must have been so worried/ scared x glad you got great care when you did need it. Closing the ward seems insane

I had an elcs a month ago for DC2. Stayed in for two nights and the support and care were second to none. DH also allowed to stay with me for a decent amount of time after delivery and could visit the next day as I had to stay in. It was honestly fine! Best of luck to you

This is reassuring to hear..I’m due in a few weeks and also been worrying a lot about this. I’ve been in for reduced movements once a fall and was there for hours and hours before being seen but I’m guessing if in labour it’s hopefully a different story!

I had my second a few weeks ago, my first was born pre-Covid. I found the actual care no different really to my first, only thing that is different is the visiting situation, but to be honest I didn’t mind it, the ward was much calmer with only one visitor each and when the dads had to go home most ladies opened their curtains and we chatted to each other, my baby needed some extra observations so I was in nearly a week and I recall my last night in particular being a bit like a teenage sleepover (with crying babies!). The midwives were clearly very busy but they always seemed busy before Covid so I can’t say I noticed it too much. I had a section and made sure I brought my own paracetamol which I’m glad I did as the meds were often late/didn’t appear at all but they were happy for me to just deal with my own paracetamol and just request stronger stuff from them if needed.

You'll be ok, we're working ourselves into the ground in the hopes women won't notice any difference in the quality of care. It's great.

I'm not joking sadly. Hope you have a good experience though.

Actually I'll give you one potentially really useful bit of advice that hopefully you won't need.

Because there's no midwives at the moment the unit has been on deflect (closed to new admissions) 3 out of 7 nights this week. One of those nights the remaining 3 local units were also on deflect for the same reason. So that was 4 units closed in a major city. Women had to travel miles in labour for care. There was nothing we could do. We even tried to pull community staff in but there just wasn't enough.

I'm sure nothing that drastic will happen to you (it's the first time I've ever heard of that happening ever) but it might be worth looking up the local maternity units / parking situation there just incase your preferred unit is put on deflect.

And as PP said above, take your own paracetamol and ibuprofen just incase you're left waiting postnatally. Make sure to let them know what you've taken and when though