Pregnant women now in higher risk group

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Anyone else pregnant and now thinking wtf am I meant to do? I've felt OK about it all as thought low risk, even GP said no special concerns, and now talk of 12 week isolation. I could greet!!

2 links with clearest info I can find.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults#background-and-scope-of-guidance

@FoxtrotSkarloey
I had seen that yes. But unless it's anything further than strongly advised then it doesn't help in terms of the legal stance I suppose. It's still relying on you to make your own call (and presumably go on unpaid leave If you can't work from home and therefore want to). And people are still talking about '12 weeks' whereas I'm starting to understand now that was never relevant to pregnant people. Although, who knows, it might be soon....

Thanks mitebite... I had seen the nhs one but just not scrolled down far enough!

@mambanumber5 I’ve got one child off with sick bug but my 11 year old is still at school. It’s okay in the morning and I drop her off from the car but when I go to pick her up we go into school with all those people. Also if you are pregnant and are meant to have social distancing it’s confusing as to whether our children should still go to school!? My work says to stay off work for 14 days until they can review it.

I really don't know how it would stack up. The health and safety guidance for pregnant women risk assessment mentions if a woman is at higher risk in her work place than in the world outside. I suppose a case could be argued therefore that we're at higher risk in school as kids are gross (Lol!) And in caring roles given the close contact. But in general it's everywhere at the moment so would it stand up? I don't know! Guess we'll have to see over the next few days what decisions are made... Everyone has been advised not to go to public places like pubs etc... If those choose to shut then legally they don't have any support and will lose their income and have nothing to claim from insurance legally... I'd imagine if a workplace wanted to be pedantic about making their workforce turn in, they'd find a way of getting out of any trouble.

I'm booked for an ELCS - anyone else? I'm worried about what will happen...

UPDATE: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51925455

Foxtrot it's far more detrimental for pregnant women to stop attending all their regular appointments. They are vital to spot any early signs of complications. If you have a GP or hosp appt for something pregnancy related, you should absolutely still go, as you should with regular midwife appts.

@Eastereggz yes I'm booked in on Monday. I think it'll be fine. My midwife was confident today that everything would go ahead as usual.

Good luck @eggofmantumbi and I hope it goes smoothly.

Mine isn't until the peak is due, hence the concern...

@Eastereggz yes I must say I'm glad it's soon, but I really think sections (and all other maternity care) will come under some kind of protection. Feels a strange time to be bringing another human into the world x

@eggofmantumbi yes I really hope that is the case. Yes I was thinking this too. It is a really strange time, and will continue to be strange for some time I think. The uncertainty over jobs etc is scary. Even just the little things are affected. For example, I guess my upcoming NCT course will be cancelled, (or hopefully delivered online) but there won't be as much networking / meeting other new Mums as I'd hoped. On the positive side, social distancing will simply mean more time for us at home quietly bonding with baby, and then by the time they are walking / talking hopefully things will go back to normal. Fingers crossed anyway!!! x

Yes I guess that’s a positive way of thinking.
Lots of bonding at home.
Shame about having reduced support network when you need it most but that can be caught up on I’m sure

I have the health visitor due a home visit on the 27th. Not met her yet. Should I cancel the appointment as not allowing anyone in my home unless it’s an emergency. It’s my second child and I attend regular growth scan appointments at the hospital so can get any help/advice I may need there. Also not allowing anyone in the home after baby is born (unless completely necessary) so wanting to postpone all HV appointments until this is all over!

starrysimon it's really important for you and your baby that you have the HV visit you after baby is born. There's no advice as yet that you should be cancelling these kinds of appts.

So I am well within my rights to postpone whilst pregnant? Self isolating until the birth apart from midwife and scans and have been for the past few weeks. Considering a home birth if things get worse. I understand the baby will have to be weighed and milestones checked but I doubt they will be doing it as much anyway. There’s been a lot of funding cuts in my area as it is, hate to imagine what it’s like during a crisis

I don’t think I’d even bother with the weighing and measuring unless I had concerns when baby arrives in May

We will have the red book which gives the percentile charts and we can always give those a check from home if needed

Anyone I know who had second babies declined the HV visits after realising how much of a waste of time they were first time round.
If you found them useful for number 1 then fair enough but if you have no concerns then it’s just a box ticking exercise

Reassuring update:
www.rcog.org.uk/en/news/professional-bodies-response-to-government-advice-for-pregnant-women-to-self-isolate/

www.independent.co.uk/voices/coronavirus-pregnant-nhs-experience-shocked-a9405486.html

Not sure what to make of that article! Just came across it on FB

I’m off work for two weeks, social distancing as I work in retail. Meant to go back 31st March. I’m confused though, so it’s all fine to go back to work after the two weeks (where there’s lots of people, so can’t social distance) as this virus is not getting any better so there is still risk. What difference does having two weeks off make if you just have to go back? I’d understand if it was all over by then or perhaps if you’d had Coronavirus and were over it? But I’m panicking now that I’ll be expected to go back as I don’t want to take the risk. What’s everyone else’s thoughts on this?

@Emmy2020
What's your reason for being off 2 weeks? The 14 day self isolation is for people who have symptoms? If so, I suppose the idea is you return to work after because you're immune after that. If you've not had symptoms then I would agree with your sentiment that there is no point in you being off for 2 weeks. Sadly there's no advice for people whose jobs mean they can't work from home at present that I'm aware of. You either need a very understanding employer, a good union, try to elect to take unpaid leave, quit your job or go back to work it seems.

On another forum I think a lady from Ireland was saying pregnancy doesn't count as an at risk group and lots of pregnant people still working there.

There's now official advice from the government rcog website (royal college of obstetricians and gynaecologists) that states first 2 trimesters are less risk (unless you have a heart or lung disease) but still in the final trimester it only says you are to avoid contact where possible. Employers are to work flexibly with you to put you at less risk whilst at work. If this is not possible then I don't see any further advice saying you should not be expected to be at work sadly.

Sorry this isnt better news. Your best bet is to talk to your employer. If they've already given you 2 weeks off they sound like they are one of the more caring?