Labouring with Covid - any positive stories?

[NC4PGCV]

NC for this as I’ve whinged about it in real life too!

It’s my due date today - first baby. Tested positive for Covid end of last week, after my DH tested positive a few days before. Fortunately very mild symptoms (thank you vaccine) - just mild congestion and slight cough. That fact has helped keep my spirits up, as has the fact the baby doesn’t seem to be showing any signs of arriving yet. But last night I noticed my sense of smell has disappeared and it just made me feel very sad - does it sound really dumb to say I want to be able to smell my baby once it’s born?! That feels like a big part of bonding.

DH tested negative a week after his symptoms started so I’m really hoping I’m not far behind. Relieved that he’ll be able to be with me at the birth. I was still testing very positive on an LTF yesterday though.

So I’m very fortunate in lots of ways with how this has happened, despite the bad luck of getting it now.

But my morale is slipping a bit tbh. I don’t want to have to wear a mask in labour or try to do my breathing exercises through congestion and I want to be able to smell my baby ☹️ I could do with hearing some positive “labouring with Covid” stories if anyone has any please? Or even just positive Covid stories about how quickly you tested negative / got your sense of smell back!

Thank you!

I don’t have a crystal ball, OP, but first babies can often arrive a little late. You may be fortunate, clear the virus and test negative before the birth. It’s encouraging that infection hasn’t triggered labour so far.
Loss of smell can be just for a few days - it was with me, and I was hospitalised with the alpha variant, unvaccinated two years ago. You are vaccine covered and only mildly ill, so have grounds for optimism.
Fingers crossed, you are still in with a chance of smelling your baby! Good luck.

Thanks so much @Babdoc for your kind reply! Much appreciated. I'm feeling a bit better today after some nice phone calls with my mum and friend. Another friend also told me she lost her sense of smell with Omicron just before all her symptoms lifted, so I'm really hoping I'm at the tail end of this now and will test negative soon!

So sorry to hear you were hospitalised with Covid but glad to hear the loss of sense of smell was very temporary for you, and hopefully you've since made a complete recovery?

Thanks again!

Both DH and I were positive when I went into labour. 2nd baby so meant we had no childcare so I had to labour alone - clearly not an issue in your case as first baby and DH now negative. We both had minor symptoms and recovered quickly, it was the logistics that were the bigger problem.

I would suggest that you get in touch with your midwife/hospital to find out their policy if you're still positive. I found that really helpful as at least I had a plan. Despite DH not being able to attend, I had a very positive birth though as 2nd baby it was very quick so recovered much better and was a lot more confident with a newborn. I didn't need to wear a mask in labour and also got a private postnatal room which made a world of difference.

I only lost my smell / taste for 24/36 hours so don't panic yet.
Call hospital & check the policy so you have a plan.

Thank you both! I'm feeling loads better - both mentally and physically! I was mainly congested and that is lifting now, plus my sense of smell is coming back - I was convinced from what I had read elsewhere that that symptom would last for weeks. I may actually be able to use all those essential oils I bought for labour now!

I had a very faint line on my LFT last night (day 7) so I'm hoping for a negative tonight or tomorrow. No major labour signs yet at 40+2 today, so with any luck we'll be in the clear by the time the baby decides to make an appearance.

Fortunately the midwives said that even if I'm positive at delivery, not much would change - DH and I would just be in our own room ante and postnatally, which is a plus if anything!

Hope that helps anyone else who stumbles across this thread in the same position.

Thanks again!