Air travel worry - coronavirus outbreaks

[HolsF28]

I'm due to go to Amsterdam on Friday with some friends, come back Sunday evening. The new outbreaks of coronavirus in Italy is worrying me something silly! I'm 11 weeks pregnant and really am anxious about all of this. I don't know if I'm being silly by risking going or am being silly by worrying so much. What does everyone think, would you still go? I know I'm not going to Italy but it seems to be spreading so quickly and seeing as they aren't stopping flights into Italy getting on the plane alone worries me about the risk of catching it. I don't want to risk harming the baby or myself for that matter. Really wishing I never booked it in the first place. Advice greatly appreciated

How does it harm a foetus? I have yet to read any reports on that.

I don’t have any real advice but I have a similar dilemma. We are due to fly to Italy next week (a non affected centra area), I’m 7 weeks. We are edging towards cancelling, not because I’m particularly worried about the virus, but because of the unknown, which I think would mean we wouldn’t relax and enjoy it. The prospect of the boundaries being moved for quarantine scares me as I would hate to have to do that upon return.

Another argument is that if there are no cases in the Netherlands then you’re not any more at risk that at home. I know what you mean about air travel and being at an airport though. There is just no way of knowing. I think you just have to decide whether you would enjoy it or be worrying.

miniguiness I don’t think anyone has any idea how it would harm a baby if exposed in the first trimester as the virus hasn’t been around long enough to tell. I read that it doesn’t seem to pass to newborns who are born via c section from infected mothers but that seems to be the only info about pregnancy available.

I personally wouldn't worry - I believe there aren't even any cases in Amsterdam, and surely you are at bigger risk at home where there are confirmed cases.
You could always wear a mask over your mouth if it makes you feel better :)

I completely understand your worry. You could wear a mask in the airport and during the flight, so you'll be protected. Also sanitising wipes and hand gel would be handy.

It is scary as if pregnant would catch it is more dangerous as our immune system is weaker.

Try doing those things and you should be fine.

I'm 24 weeks pregnant and just returned from Portugal last week. I was worried about going to and seriously considered cancelling (but didn't).

I now have a stinking cold - sore throat, cough, streaming nose, sneezing, etc. But I think it's just coincidence. I don't have a fever or feel particularly ill (cold aside).

It was reported that Coronavirus can transmit to babies in the womb as a lady in China who tested positive gave birth to a baby who also tested positive within hours of being born. I didn't see any update on how mother and baby were doing.

I'm not saying this to scare you, just letting you know what I'd read.

I'm in a sort of similar boat and not sure what to do as well!

I'm due to be going to Fuerteventura in a couple of weeks for 10 days, when I will be 19 weeks. We are staying in a villa within a resort and it is self catered, so a bit different to a bigger hotel where things maybe spread more easily. No confirmed cases at all in Fuerteventua and I live and commute in London daily so I figure I have as much, if not more, risk at home?

But my concern is the travel and going through airports/being at destinations with people who have similarly travelled from far and wide. If anything were to happen, I'd rather be quarantined/accessing healthcare at home while pregnant than abroad.

Tough one! As it is just for a weekend, it is imminent and Amsterdam has no confirmed cases the risk should still be v low. And there are practical things around hand washing etc to have a bit more control. Good luck with whatever you decide!

I think we are going to give it one more week and then make a call. If we cancel thet, we can at least save 70% of accommodation costs rather than the whole thing. Unfortunately unless FCO advises against travel, our insurance wont cover anything so we will lose some money if we don't go.

I remember reading that there were 9 pregnant women with it in Wuhan but all babies were uneffected (some since born)

Affected, not effected 🙄

It was reported that Coronavirus can transmit to babies in the womb as a lady in China who tested positive gave birth to a baby who also tested positive within hours of being born. I didn't see any update on how mother and baby were doing. That doesn’t show that it is transmitted in the womb. The baby was fine. No child has died.

All the reports I've read say that there is no evidence of it transferring from a mother to an unborn baby in the womb.

I've been following it as flying on Friday but not seen anything that would stop me going

I was reading up on it today - it's potentially very risky for pregnant women and our babies if contracted. Similar to regular flu, potentially slightly worse. The mortality rate for pregnant women in China has been much higher than for the general population. Pregnant women fall into the category of vulnerable people who are much more likely to experience complications, like the elderly and people with health conditions. The risks to the foetus are likely similar to regular flu, again maybe slightly worse. If the mother's health is severely impacted then this is logically likely to increase miscarriage/stillbirth/birth defect/preterm labour risk.

Having said that, it wouldn't currently stop me travelling in Europe, other than to areas such as Northern Italy. The risks in Amsterdam are no higher than in London where I'm living and working every day!

Not saying any of this to scare anyone, but it's important to be informed about the facts!

www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/pregnancy/why-are-pregnant-women-at-higher-risk-of-flu-complications/

NHS article on regular flu in pregnancy - for similar reasons coronavirus is a lot more serious if you're pregnant.

@MiniGuinness you forgot to quote the bit where I said

I'm not saying this to scare you, just letting you know what I'd read.

I wasn't stating it as a fact and didn't say that a child had died.

@MiniGuinness 2600 pregnant women in China have died though, so presumably most/many of their babies also did 😕

@MiniGuinness sorry that should say 26* haha

I just flew back from Sicily yesterday at 18 weeks pregnant and I did have a panic when I heard there was a case in Sicily! It was the other side of the island so VERY low chance of me having caught it.

As a young, healthy person, you’re unlikely to die from coronavirus, however pregnancy does make it more likely that you would be more severely affected, which of course could lead to pregnancy complications including miscarriage.

Personally, I won’t be travelling anymore while pregnant as my anxiety would ruin any trips anyway!

Unfortunately I work in the emergency department in a hospital, so I’m far more likely to be exposed to the virus there... I’ll be wearing a mask to review any patients with sniffles or fevers (aka everyone!)

You're immune system is lowered while oregnant. Personally no I wouldn't chance it.

@bluemoon2468. Can you post a link to where you're getting your info?

I didn't see any update on how mother and baby were doing I was responding to this bit @FTM2020 the child tested positive after birth but was fine.

As there aren't any cases in the Netherlands yet, I cant see how the risk is any higher than the UK. I'd personally still go.

@Layladylay234 I read a load of articles/advice pages on it from around the world today just by googling things like 'coronavirus pregnancy'. The info is all quite easily accessible 😊

I’ve not seen any mention of 26 pregnant women dying in China? I’ve just read a positive article about it all actually, older groups are more at risk, not children or expectant mothers.
Having said that.... i’m not sure I would travel by air at the moment.... but that’s easy to say when I don’t have any trips booked. It’s a tough decision.

I've not been able to find anything about any deaths of pregnant women either, been specifically searching for it since the mention above and found nothing. I've been getting regular updates through work and not heard anything much about pregnant women, but keep asking to see if there is any updates!

I wouldn't go. I don't think the biggest risk is where you going so much as being on a plane.