Partner unwell day before c section

[Danii2024]

I have a planned c section booked for tomorrow. My partner started vomiting in the night last night (about 4 times) he hasn't vomited since the early hours and is keeping down food/drink, just has some body aches and very tired. Does this sound like a virus or food poisoning? as I'm assuming if its a virus he won't be able to be there when baby is born as it won't quite have been 48 hours since he was last sick. But if its food poisoning and he feels ok he will be able to come. What are peoples thoughts I'm so stressed 😭😭😭 what would people do in this situation? My section isn't until the afternoon so does give it a bit more time.

V sorry this has happened. Virus is by far the most likely explanation, food poisoning is much rarer, so unless you can reschedule he needs to keep away, & also keep away from you to try to avoid you getting it.

If there's body aches it's probably a virus. So no, they won't allow him to be there, nor should he be. Tiny babies with immature immune systems would be very vulnerable to whatever he has, to say nothing of the pain you will be in if you start vomiting after abdominal surgery.

In your situation I’d have the C section alone aa there isn’t anyone else I’d want there.

It’d be unfair on women on the labour ward, hospital patients and staff for your DP to attend with a sickness virus.

It will be 36 hours by tomorrow, as long as he doesn't vomit again. So should be ok. But I'd stay away from him today.

Probably a bit last now though!

Thanks, I was just thinking with a virus the sickness would last a lot longer. Is this not the case?

No. Viruses vary.

Understand your wishful thinking about this given it’s a worrying prospect to give birth alone or with someone else with you, but it wouldn’t be OK for your DP to take a risk like this with you, other women and babies and people at the hospital.

I had my c-section alone only me and a nurse no visitors nothing it was lovely tbh.
However i think your partner will be ok and good luck.

You will need to speak to the hospital, but I'd be surprised if they're happy for him to be in if it's less than 48 hours (as staff we're not allowed in until 48 hours after the last vomit/episode of diarrhoea). Depending on the indication for the section, perhaps they'd be able to jiggle lists about and postpone until later in the week so he's been vomit free for longer, but you'd need to speak to them? Even if they are happy for him to attend they still need to know so they can think about the list order/bed allocations etc.

Agree you need to speak to them. No way I would take someone into hospital who had been sick within 48 hours. Just not fair on anyone.

No. We all had noro recently. Both DC threw up for just a few more hours and had no more symptoms. DH felt rough but didn’t vomit at all. I threw up for a few hours and no more, but then also felt rough and had diarrhoea for a few days.

It varies.

Calm down you seem a bit too invested😂 It's not a stupid post at all. If it's food poisoning (which it could well be an is one of the things I'm asking people's opinions on) then he would be fine to be there! You've made your point now thanks for your input! And your sensitivity at such a stressful time!

"Stupid post" – was that really necessary?

Sounds like a virus. He needs to be 48 hours free of vomiting before he can step on a ward. If there’s a sickness outbreak on the ward he could literally be putting the lives of newborns in danger. Including your own newborn. Is it an option to delay your c section but a day or two?

Thank you that's put my mind at ease a bit about being alone if it comes to it x

sorry, my ‘stupid post’ was directed at fhe post from ‘laughitoff’ and was indeed unnecessary.

There’s no way to know so you need to assume virus and he can’t go with you unfortunately as you have to wait 48 hrs after last episode of vomiting

Actually that's not true, even if it was caused by food poisoning it can still spread to other people. Hence the 36 hour guidelines on not working with food etc after and d&v.

Sorry you asked what others would do in this situation. I would beg the hospital to reschedule my section. There’s no way I’d choose to give birth without my child’s father there. Then in the meantime I’d stay well away from him to avoid the risk of me catching it. You don’t want to be healing from a c section and vomiting at the same time…

And yes the PP is correct, even if it was food poisoning it can still spread to others

You need to speak to the hospital as soon as possible. If you’re low risk they may want you to wait as you may well come down with it today/tomorrow.

Thanks, will have been over 36 hours by then

I wish people wouldn’t think that food poisoning can’t be contagious so can be out and about with it