New cough and had baby 3 days ago- so worried

[singme]

Posting for reassurance and help with an action plan!

Had baby 3 days ago with total 3 nights in hospital and had to go to theatre so exposed to a lot of people after shielding for weeks just me and DP.

Last few days at home- no sleep, trying to establish feeding, episiotomy sore, boobs sore, feeling crap generally. Midwife took temp yesterday was 37.2. Thinks could be just due to milk coming in.

Highest temp for me has been 37.4 pre paracetamol.

I’m also on diclofenac for pain.

I’ve now got a slightly sore throat and mild cough. It is very mild and I’m barely coughing.

I am so worried I have contracted covid 19. However it could just be being run down from birth, temp from healing stitches etc.

Baby alert, feeding well, no temps, wet nappies etc. She has sneezed twice since I stated this post though but she’s had a lot of birth mucus to shift!

I guess my action plan is:

1. Self isolate the three of us
2. Keep breastfeeding, obviously don’t cough on baby
3. Super hand hygiene
4. Don’t kiss baby or DP, DP to sleep in spare room (neither of us sleeping at same time anyway)
5. Don’t prepare food for DP
6. Inform midwife tomorrow when they phone- not sure how this will affect appointments to check baby

This is an absolute nightmare. I’m desperate to breastfeed and struggling a bit but obviously now I can’t really have anyone to to the house. I’m terrified DD will get it and become really poorly.

Obviously I will get professional advice from my midwife but it’s 2am and am so scared would appreciate any advice/reassurance.

Oh yes I suppose another point- throat could be sore due to prolonged labour and screaming into gas and air while in labour ward.

And I better stop the diclofenac. Stitches are so sore though!

Congratulations on your new baby!

Sounds like you’re doing all the right stuff, I would add lots of rest and fluids for you. I’d be tempted to just hole up in bed, feed and skin to skin to get breastfeeding established and get DP to hold baby when she’s not feeding so you can sleep.

Take vitamins to keep your vit D and vit C levels up. Can’t hurt. How’s your iron?

I think I read some advice about wearing a mask but given how much a three day old baby feeds I can’t see that being practical at all. I think hand washing, make sure you have tissues to cough in to and a bin to put them straight in, hand sanitiser to use if you are mid feed etc is the best you can do.

Babies and children seem to get off very lightly with this so try not to worry to much about the baby (obviously you'll know if she's poorly as you'll be watching her like a hawk!).

Definitely phone midwife in the morning. Try and not panic. Wish you well and enjoy newborn snuggles.

Keep checking your temperature too and do try not to worry, babies on the whole have had very mild illnesses if anything at all. You will also pass on antibodies in your milk - I read a stat once about how milk can carry vast volumes of viral antibody when a Mum or baby are unwell, it’s magic!

Maybe a video consultation with a lactation consultant if you are struggling with feeding? There are also loads of good YouTube videos about latching. Jelonet (Amazon) gauze was a lifesaver for healing my cracked nipples.

Have you tried : www.laleche.org.uk?
Maybe they could help with the breastfeeding. It's inevitable to worry about symptoms. I found the 111 online service useful - in the end it's just an algorithm but you can quickly run your symptoms through as many times as you want.

Hi, I'm in a similar situation. Gave birth 7 days ago. I was in isolation in hospital as OH developed a mild cough similar to your description the day before I gave birth. Today, I now seem to have the same sore throat and mildest cough. However, I've been consisted a potential corona case from my baby's birth. I don't get any visits from midwives or health visitors, but do get regular phone calls. A couple of days ago I had concerns regarding my baby and jaundice, so my midwife arranged for me to be seen in isolation at the hospital, as they have the PPE to deal with me. So if you're concerned and need baby seen, then you will get seen. I'm planning to follow a similar plan to you, regarding trying not to pass it on to baby. At the hospital they said to look out for breathing distress in my baby, such as flaring nostrils, sucking in between ribs with each breath.
I'd keep up with the pain relief, just be as hygenic as you can around baby.

Thank you all so much. I’ve been in tears all day about one thing or another so this has really helped.

Going to look into some virtual bf support tomorrow.

Baby currently making some encouraging noises when feeding and latch looks much better. Sat here thinking how gorgeous she is.

@turtletum that sounds so stressful. Congrats on your little one. I know if baby needs anything we will get seen, it’s so hard doing it all from a distance isn’t it!