Would you get a test?

[Orangemochafrappacino]

36 weeks pregnant, came into contact with somebody last week who has now tested positive. I dont have symptoms but have hospital and midwife appointments this week that I'm now worried about attending.

Do I try and get a PCR? So scared right now.

Take LF. If you then get symptoms get a PCR.

Or if you show even a faintest positive on LF then book a PCR X

If you were a close contact, you need to be isolating, and should ring your MW and the hospital, and amend the appointments.

If you don't think you should be in SI, you probably don't need to do anything about the appointments.

A clinic or hospital really is the sort of place where you should not knowingly bring avoidable infection risks.

Or if you have to attend, the staff need to know so they can put appropriate measures in place

You can take a pcr test as a close contact if you want. Bookable online.

Absolutely I would take a test

LF is negative but I know they aren't as accurate.

I haven't been contacted by track and trace so I know I dont legally need to self isolate but I feel very uneasy about still attending these appointments later in the week. However I also feel uneasy about not attending them as I need to make some decisions about the birth based on how these appointments go and I dont have a lot of time to reschedule

I think I'm going to book a PCR. But feel guilty about that too as no symptoms! Argh.

Close contacts can get a PCR. You don't have to wait for symptoms.

If you know you're a close contact of a confirmed positive you ought to be isolating, even if T&T don't call you. I know legally you don't have to but morally you should. You certainly ought not to be going into hospitals and clinics where there are vulnerable people around.

Call the hospital and ask them what they want you to do. Tell them what you've said here. I doubt they will want you to attend. Can it not be delayed a few days til 10 days SI up or have some of the appointment online/telephone.

Just book a PCR. LFTs are intended for people who have no reason to think they have the virus, so we can pick up a chunk of cases we'd otherwise be completely oblivious too. They're useful on a population level, but they aren't a reliable check for individuals. Just book a PCR.

Can you give us more details about the contact and if the person in symptomatic, when did their symptoms start?

If you met on Monday outside for a couple of minutes and their symptoms didn’t start till Thursday then I would say that is very low risk and I probably wouldn’t worry any further.

However if you met up inside for a whole morning on a Monday and their symptoms didn’t start until Thursday then that would be a bit riskier but also would explain why you haven’t been contacted by test and trace.

Thanks all. PCR booked.

@SpringRainbow it was Thursday evening. We were outdoors not too close for very long other than when we said hello/goodbye. He put his hand on my DHs shoulder when saying goodbye that was the only physical contact. Apparently he was feeling a little under the weather at the time but had been out the night before too so assumed it was a hangover. It obviously got worse over the weekend and he tested positive yesterday.

@Orangemochafrappacino

Thanks all. PCR booked.

@SpringRainbow it was Thursday evening. We were outdoors not too close for very long other than when we said hello/goodbye. He put his hand on my DHs shoulder when saying goodbye that was the only physical contact. Apparently he was feeling a little under the weather at the time but had been out the night before too so assumed it was a hangover. It obviously got worse over the weekend and he tested positive yesterday.

I would say you’ll probably be ok but it’s definitely worth getting a PCR to be sure.

Outside is much safer and it doesn’t sound like you spent that much time close together.

If you haven't been contacted to self isolate you don't need to worry

I would self isolate and your DH also. Also you must ring the midwife and hospital to postpone your appointments by 2 weeks and tell them to document you were a Covid contact.

I would not have bothered with the lateral flow test as they're only 50% effective at being able to detect infection in people with no symptoms but instead have booked PCR tests for self and DH. You both still need to self isolate and try to rest rather than stress out or worry, if you can.

I do sympathise- this virus and its variants make life a pain. Just remember that by both self isolating and resting, you're both protecting your about to be born baby - don't focus on the inconvenience. If one of you falls ill with Covid you can end up infecting the baby badly and causing long term organ damage to your child, hence caution is best in this instance. Wishing you all the best for everything.

Op, please don't feel guilty re pcr!

No one should feel guilty for wanting to test, we are the good ones it's those who have this or symptoms and can't be bothered are the problems!!

Definitely call your midwife. I'd be surprised if you've caught it but they'll want to know for appointments etc. She'll also give you advice on testing.

Your husband also needs to keep testing.

🤞🏻 you don't get it op x

Done my PCR - Results should be back in 24-48 hours, does anyone know if its likely to be closer to a day or two?

Going out of my mind now especially after reading that last post about organ damage - I thought I read that if I catch it it was unlikely to affect the babies development

Will phone the midwife if the test result isnt back before my appointments.

Argh.

@Orangemochafrappacino

Done my PCR - Results should be back in 24-48 hours, does anyone know if its likely to be closer to a day or two?

Going out of my mind now especially after reading that last post about organ damage - I thought I read that if I catch it it was unlikely to affect the babies development

Will phone the midwife if the test result isnt back before my appointments.

Argh.

Did you go to a test center? They were coming back very quickly at the beginning of the month. Definitely within 24 hours, not sure about very recent tests.

I hope you hear back soon.

@SpringRainbow yes I did. Thank you x

@Orangemochafrappacino

Done my PCR - Results should be back in 24-48 hours, does anyone know if its likely to be closer to a day or two?

Going out of my mind now especially after reading that last post about organ damage - I thought I read that if I catch it it was unlikely to affect the babies development

Will phone the midwife if the test result isnt back before my appointments.

Argh.

Please don’t worry yourself. There is no evidence catching Covid in pregnancy will do any harm to your baby - especially something like organ damage.

And also please don’t listen to that poster and cancel appointments especially without knowing where you stand. Midwife appointments in pregnancy are essential and especially important towards the end to check both yours and your baby’s wellbeing. You’ve done the right thing getting a PCR but even if it came back positive your midwifery team would have a plan for you. You are well and your baby is well protected (and given the situation the chances of you being positive are slim to remote anyway).

Take care.

We have asymptomatic test centres here - can you go to similar?

Sorry missed the last update!!

My test came back negative. Thanks to those who responded x

I’m glad your test was negative!

Very glad to hear your test was negative (as I'm sure are you!). I'm glad you went ahead with a PCR for peace of mind because I have lost all faith in LFTs and not sure they are any use at all. My DD has taken 8 LFTs all negative over the past few days. She has NO symptoms and has not been contacted by test & trace. However, due to a number of her circle of friends testing positive lately she decided to book a PCR to set her mind at rest. She had not officially been in close contact with any of the positives (met up outdoors once last week) but as she works in a busy restaurant she felt she ought to get a PCR to be on the safe side. Absolutely stunned that it came back positive . If she had followed official guidance based on negative LFTs and close contact criteria she would still be at work spreading it here there and everywhere!