Postnatal ward & Covid testing

[Asbusyasabee]

Hello,

I'm 36+4, double vaccinated for Covid. Does anyone know whether women have to take an LFT when they arrive at hospital in labour? Or take an LFT before going onto the postnatal ward?

It's just occurred to me that I could be staying on a postnatal ward with other women who haven't been vaccinated yet so could catch covid. Unless there is testing before you go onto the ward?

Thanks in advance for any responses :)

I did what I understood to be a PCR when I arrived at hospital in labour, in between contractions. Results came back within about 8 hours, just as we were leaving. Then got an official letter in the post a couple of days letter saying it was a negative result.

I think it’s probably encouraged but I’ve never been asked when going to scans etc of my status, so doubt mandated….

Hopefully you are encouraged by the fact they seem to be getting people out ASAP and won’t be on the ward longer than necessary! Good luck :)

Yes PCR on arrival and every 48 hours after that. Birth partners should have a negative LFT taken before they attend each time. Women awaiting results should be put in different bays to those with negative results on the postnatal ward. And obv Covid pos women put in separate rooms.

At my hospital testing is optional, if you don’t want it then they treat you based on symptoms and exposure.
No one is asked about covid vaccinations, probably because all it does is potentially lessen the severity of symptoms and has no bearing on catching covid nor passing it on. Have you been living under a rock?!

It probably depends on your hospital. Mine has been pretty good at asking to see our LFT responses before every appointment/scan, and they say they’ll do the same in labour, and when your birthing partner visits. They’re also hot on everyone wearing masks.

I was induced so had a PCR 24 hrs before. I then had another PCR four days later on the postnatal ward - they were doing them every 72 hours.

Thank you for your replies, feel more reassured :)

At the hospital I work at women are PCT tested and do not go to the PN ward without a negative result.

PCR - sorry fat fingers 😂

After baby was born (quick labour) I had an LFT and PCR. Dh was asked if he’d had an LFT - he had done one that morning so said yes.

Yes I think it depends on the hospital/birth Centre. I was asked to take one whilst in labour. My partner had to keep a mask on but wasn't tested.

Should have said my husband also had a PCR.

I was given a covid test during labour (13 months ago). I can't remember it though because i was off my tits on drugs.

I was Covid tested on arrival in maternity triage a couple of weeks ago, I don’t know if it was an LFT or a PCR, she just shoved a swab at me and I never heard anything more about it. Nothing for my husband, and I stayed for a week after that triage and Covid was never mentioned again, except for a very strict hand washing regime they taught us for going into NICU, but I don’t know if that was Covid-specific. My husband wore a mask in the corridors but not because he was told to, I didn’t wear one in communal areas except NICU because I was really poorly. I was only allowed one visitor (again, my husband), I think that was the only really noticeable difference from when I had a baby at the same hospital pre-Covid.

@Asbusyasabee my trust you have to do lateral before any apps and the woman gets tested in labour but not birth partner. Also I am sure you are aware but you can catch covid off vaccinated people too

Thank you again for your responses, it seems like most trusts will do a test at some stage so that's good. Yes of course, I realise double vaccination doesn't mean complete immunity but it'll help (husband had covid in the summer, I didn't display any symptoms and tested negative each test despite being at home with him for 10 days).

In our area we have to do a LFT before any appointments, just hadn't thought about the labour/postnatal part 😀