Covid PCR prior to ELCS

[ajja2021]

Hi,

I'm having an ELCS next week, I've been informed I have to go to the hospital for a PCR test 4 days before.

I have no issue with this, however they said that their staff perform the swabs.

I'm so anxious of this, I gag so easily and each time I've had a PCR I've had to work hard not to puke. I can just about reach my tonsils myself.

Has anyone had this happen? Am I allowed to refuse and offer to swab my own tonsils?

I had one before my ELCS last summer and I told the nurse I would rather do it myself and she was fine with it. Hope it all goes ok for you

I have severe gastro problems which mean that I've been taken off eating solid foods and am always very sick / nauseous. I can do covid swabs myself but to be honest it's actually easier when someone else does it - they've had a lot of practice and I find it's a lot quicker and simpler when they do it, and I've never gagged or puked when it's been done by a nurse. I do when I do it though, it's definitely harder to do it on yourself.

You'll be fine.

Anyway just put it all out your mind - it's just an absolutely tiny part of the process to bringing your little one here, it's nothing - just think of the end result which will be holding your new born. A nurse doing a covid test for that is 100% worth it , and is definitely easier than doing it yourself.

And in answer to your question no they won't let you do it yourself.

I had one 2 days before my section last year. While I was still puking despite medication. It was fine.

Only trouble was they didn’t get the results until after I’d gone home (I was chucked out 12 hours after the section!). I asked what would happen if someone was positive and what the hell was the point in having a test when they didn’t get the results before surgery. The midwife who called just said “I know, it’s ridiculous”.

Oh I went in the car covered in bin bags incase I puked every where! I was shocked when Indidnt.

I don't even know why I'm so anxious by it, you'd think the fact I'm having a section would be causing me anxiety but here I am worrying over someone swabbing my tonsils!

I actually found it much easier when the nurse did mine than when I've done them myself. They didn't go anywhere near as far back or for as long.

@ajja2021

I don't even know why I'm so anxious by it, you'd think the fact I'm having a section would be causing me anxiety but here I am worrying over someone swabbing my tonsils!

I was the same! Really worked myself up about it!

I had it, it's unpleasant but necessary.
No option to do it myself as they want the result to be as accurate as possible to protect staff and the other women and babies on the ward.

It's over quickly and you will be ok I'm sure.

@Arsebucket

I had one 2 days before my section last year. While I was still puking despite medication. It was fine.

Only trouble was they didn’t get the results until after I’d gone home (I was chucked out 12 hours after the section!). I asked what would happen if someone was positive and what the hell was the point in having a test when they didn’t get the results before surgery. The midwife who called just said “I know, it’s ridiculous”.

Yes, mine came back whilst I was still in - not for pregnancy. I was in due to what we now know was covid complications. I was in an open ward with others, including some very elderly and vulnerable patients.

My result came back positive the next day having spent all day/night in the ward. Fortunately, at the time, I,was worried about catching covid in hospital, so kept my mask on, even when trying to sleep and stayed in bed, often with my curtains drawn for privacy - as felt quite ill.

I have never been moved so quickly.

From my side room with its double doors and observation window, where I was put, I then saw all the deep clean people,come and do a thorough wash down. I really hope the other patients were okay.

@Abraxan the toilets were broken, there was one loo for 18 women, obviously filthy. It was ridiculous. I someone had been positive it would have spread fast.

[quote Arsebucket]@Abraxan the toilets were broken, there was one loo for 18 women, obviously filthy. It was ridiculous. I someone had been positive it would have spread fast.[/quote]
That's what worried me about the other patients when I was found to be positive. Although I'd stayed in bed and away from others, I had used the shared toilet and shower - and yes, not overly clean tbh.

I really really hope I didn't pass it to anyone else.

I went for a covid swab yesterday as had change in taste and they asked if I wanted to do it or for them to. I opted for them as I’m terrible with gagging and was worried I wouldn’t get a good enough swab. The lovely nurse did the swabs and it was so much more manageable than when I do it on myself. I was scared that I’d be gagging all over the place but i was fine.

I had to go in with my youngest for a 3 night planned admission and the nurse did the test for us both. Best test I've ever had and nowhere near as difficult as doing myself (and I didn't even realise they'd already done DC's!)

Best of luck.

@Wam90 that's so reassuring, I can usually reach my tonsils but it's not pleasant and I'm scared if someone else does it I'll end up puking 🤢

@Katie517

I had one before my ELCS last summer and I told the nurse I would rather do it myself and she was fine with it. Hope it all goes ok for you

Same. I was allowed to do my own.

@ajja2021 I felt exactly the same way but I think I gag more when I’m looking in the mirror doing it myself because I can see where it’s going and the thought makes it worse! I’m sure they’d let you do it yourself if you asked though.