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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Unable to see my baby in NICU due to covid restrictions

317 replies

francesca26 · 03/01/2022 06:11

I feel so alone I needed to post this to see if anyone else has been or is in a similar situation.

I have been in hospital since 30/12 for a scheduled induction. The process didn't start until 31/12 due to how busy they were and I was on a ward with several other women. One of these women tested positive for covid on 31/12 just as my contractions started and I was informed that I had been 'exposed'. I didn't think too much of it at this point and was just focusing on birthing my baby.

At 17.57pm on 01/01/22 my son was born at 38+4 . He had breathing difficulties and was 'grunty' so was taken straight to NICU, I had a brief cuddle but hardly any skin to skin.

The NICU doctor then informed me that because I had been 'exposed' that I would not be able to visit my son in NICU at all, even though I was testing negative. 💔

It has now been over 24hrs since I gave birth and I have had no contact with my baby. I have been put in a segregated room on the post natal ward. I'm not allowed to leave and can't have any visitors.

My heart is honestly breaking. I also have a 2 year old at home who I haven't seen for 4 days now.

Baby is improving and although he is still on oxygen, the levels are much better than they were. However I've not got any time frame on when they think he will be able to be moved up to post natal and be with me.

I feel like this is really affecting my mental health. I know my baby is in the best place but I am being treated like I have covid, even though I am negative and double jabbed.

I just don't know what to do with myself. I'm stuck in this room, without either of my children and I can't leave unless I discharge myself which they have advised me not to do incase baby is able to move up at some point.

😢💔

OP posts:
KiloWhat · 03/01/2022 06:13

Oh you poor poor thing. Are they able to bring you a picture?

MsFrog · 03/01/2022 06:14

I'm so sorry you are going through this. I haven't been in your situation, but it must be heartbreaking for you. It seems very strange that they won't let you in despite testing negative. Maybe see if someone can explain to you again why this is the case, given that the staff on the NICU must be living their lives outside of work. I really feel for you, I can't imagine what this must be like xxxxxxcc

Neurodiversitydoctor · 03/01/2022 06:16

It must be incredibly difficult. Have they given any indication when you will be in the clear ?

WineIsMyCarb · 03/01/2022 06:18

I would be kicking up a serious stink about this OP. If you are testing negative and the baby is term (both of which true) then you lose mo greater risk than hospital staff. Furthermore you are that child's mother.
I know it's hard to be without your 2 year old too but you need to be given contact with your newborn.

Neurodiversitydoctor · 03/01/2022 06:20

Maybe see if someone can explain to you again why this is the case, given that the staff on the NICU must be living their lives outside of work. I really feel for you, I can't imagine what this must be like xxxxxxcc

NHS staff are not allowed to work if a close contact . If OP were to be infectious she could infect a whole shift, which wouldn't happen by them "living their lives" outside of work. It's horrible for OP but a reasonable precaution. If her contact was on 31/12 she should have a negative 5 day test tommorow, then presumably will be allowed to see her baby.

WeRTheOnesWeHaveBeenWaitingFor · 03/01/2022 06:23

I feel so sad and angry on your behalf. Is there anyone who can advocate for you?
Your baby is being very well looked after that’s important thing to think about but I completely understand how awful it must feel to be temporarily separated.
Flowers Congratulations by the way

KiloWhat · 03/01/2022 06:25

Has anyone else been able to see your baby? A relative? Partner?

MrsTerryPratchett · 03/01/2022 06:26

@WineIsMyCarb

I would be kicking up a serious stink about this OP. If you are testing negative and the baby is term (both of which true) then you lose mo greater risk than hospital staff. Furthermore you are that child's mother. I know it's hard to be without your 2 year old too but you need to be given contact with your newborn.
I'm not one for kicking up stinks but I'd make an exception for this. It is a health emergency for mothers and newborns to not be close.

Is your partner with your baby?

mocktail · 03/01/2022 06:28

That's awful Sad I really hope you'll be able to have time with your baby very soon.

Congratulations Flowers

asnippersdream · 03/01/2022 06:28

That is disgraceful. I'm all for following Covid restrictions but keeping a mother away from a newborn baby is diabolical. Please ask again for their reasoning.

Neurodiversitydoctor · 03/01/2022 06:29

Sad I understand, but angry , why with who ? The NICU actions seem entirely appropriate to me. Of course OP is testing negative now the virus has a 3 day incubation period. They have to protect :
a) The staff
b) The incredibly vulnerable premature infants the staff care for
c) The parents of the other babies on the unit.

Neurodiversitydoctor · 03/01/2022 06:30

Ex- NICU doctor btw

CloseYourEyesAndSee · 03/01/2022 06:30

It's more harmful for baby to be separated from you than the potential exposure to covid given you're testing negative!!

User363957392727 · 03/01/2022 06:31

I’m so sorry you’re going through this
There should be clear guidance on when the ‘exposure’ ends? If not ask for it - and then ask where they are getting this information from and then ask to see it for yourself
Ask for the policy to be shown to you - not explained verbally - there probably won’t be one
Ask to speak to infection control yourself - ask if there is anything they can do, they are usually a team of nurses and very helpful
Ask for a side room / different area for your baby so you can be ‘isolated’ when you visit
Is there anyone who can call the ward on your behalf? I would escalate this to matrons
You can also try PALS but the process takes time
My heart goes out to you OP, I hope you see your baby soon

MrsTerryPratchett · 03/01/2022 06:33

@Neurodiversitydoctor

Ex- NICU doctor btw
Who doesn't understand attachment? Seems unlikely.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3223373/

DropYourSword · 03/01/2022 06:33

I’m so sorry for you in this situation. I do t think “kicking up a stink” is to be advised as I can totally see why this rule is in place to try to protect very vulnerable newborns (and the staff caribn for them) but at the same time it must be unbearably heartbreaking to be kept apart from your baby. It’s utterly shot for you.
Until you can see them is there any chance the NICU staff could facilitate you FaceTiming your baby so at least you could see them.

falalalalalalablahblah · 03/01/2022 06:36

This is not ok and an example of when we should be applying common sense over guidance. I would also be kicking up a stink. I hope this is resolved ASAP for you, OP and I'm so sorry that it's happened.

Neurodiversitydoctor · 03/01/2022 06:37

I have a post-grad qualification in attachment. Should the needs of one mother-baby dyad trump health and safety of an entire intensive care unit ? Of course not. I am well aware of the OP's risks of increased PND do you think pointing that out is useful ? Chances are baby will be discharged and with OP within the next day or so.

ivykaty44 · 03/01/2022 06:40

Have you been vaccinated?

falalalalalalablahblah · 03/01/2022 06:41

@Neurodiversitydoctor do you have a child?

KiloWhat · 03/01/2022 06:42

[quote falalalalalalablahblah]@Neurodiversitydoctor do you have a child?[/quote]
What has that got to do with it

anon12345678901 · 03/01/2022 06:42

Surely the other babies in NICU are just as important as OP baby. If OP has been near people positive with the virus then it's best and safer to keep her away. It's not forever. Can't the nurses FaceTime or take pictures?

anon12345678901 · 03/01/2022 06:43

[quote falalalalalalablahblah]@Neurodiversitydoctor do you have a child?[/quote]
I do. And I still believe the health and safety of the babies is more important than OP wishes at the moment.

Dollywilde · 03/01/2022 06:44

I would be asking where baby would be if baby were testing positive, and ask them to move baby there so you can both be considered ‘potential positives’ together rather than baby a negative and you a potential positive. Newborn and mum should be treated as one IMO.

I’m so sorry you’re going through this, it must be horrendous.

KiloWhat · 03/01/2022 06:46

@Dollywilde

I would be asking where baby would be if baby were testing positive, and ask them to move baby there so you can both be considered ‘potential positives’ together rather than baby a negative and you a potential positive. Newborn and mum should be treated as one IMO.

I’m so sorry you’re going through this, it must be horrendous.

That's a good idea. Although it then puts baby in with potentially positive patients and maybe they think it's safer for baby in the negative bit.

I hope it won't be much longer OP x

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