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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Coronavirus - very concerned

33 replies

AlexaT · 01/03/2020 09:53

Hi all,

We booked to go Abu Dhabi in a couple of weeks (for 5 nights) when I will be 20 weeks pregnant. The midwife gave me the ok in terms of my pregnancy health but neither of us discussed the coronavirus issue.

I was fine to travel until now where I have heard that there are 2 Marriott-owned hotels in Abu Dhabi on lockdown due to 2 guests having tested positive for the virus.

We are staying at the Intercontinental, who I have contacted re my concerns. They have assured me the following:
“Our primary concern the health of our guest and everyone, however our Hotel is clear from the any contamination and we are still working to maintain with our Health and safety Manager”

This doesn’t really assure me as anything can happen in the next 2 weeks - or whilst we are there. I’m more concerned because of being pregnant, and because of my 3 year old travelling with hubby and I.

I’m also worried about the flight itself.

Should I consider cancelling the holiday?

AIBU?

OP posts:
Kezmum14 · 01/03/2020 10:37

Personally I’d cancel. I’ve cancelled our holiday to Spain and that’s purely because I think airports are high risk. In reality the chances you would contract it are still very low but I didn’t want to risk it.

sel2223 · 01/03/2020 10:47

There is no way to categorically say yes you will be absolutely fine as nobody knows exactly what will happen over the next few weeks.

All I can say is that a heck of a lot more people catch normal fly every year and the fatality rate amongst flu sufferers is a lot higher than what we have seen so far with coronavirus. Those that have actually died as a result of the virus have all been more vulnerable (i.e. older people, people with existing health problems etc) and those that have caught it have to have been in very close proximity to someone who already has it for a prolonged period of time.
Also, research so far have shown no evidence that a pregnant woman is more susceptible or that they can pass it on to their baby in the womb.

Literally millions of people worldwide travel for work or leisure every single day (I'm abroad at the moment and caught 3 flights on Friday to get here and I'm 16 weeks pregnant). Not a single case so far has been linked to airports or air travel.

There were 2 people treated for it in my home town in the UK so i feel no more at risk abroad than I would at home. Actually, there have been no cases at all in the country I travelled to.

Coronavirus hasn't stopped me from going about my normal life but, ultimately, it's your decision to make. Keep it in perspective but weigh up the risks for your own family and go from there.

sel2223 · 01/03/2020 11:08

@Kezmum14 what makes you think airports are high risk? I'm not aware of a single case that has been linked to airports or air travel?
And that's despite the millions of travellers passing through airports every single day....not to mention the thousands of people actually working at airports around the world and cabin crew doing several flights a day.

In fact, the first 2 confirmed cases in the UK (Chinese nationals) arrived by plane and were treated at my local hospital and they still didn't pass it on to anyone else on the plane.

Kezmum14 · 01/03/2020 11:15

It’s a personal opinion..... thousands of travellers from all over the world, touching things, coughing and spluttering, all in close proximity. Hard to keep your distance. I’d say it’s a much higher risk than visit g your supermarket or having a day out in London.
I think everyone has to make their own decisions on these things. Only 2% of people contracting the virus don’t survive so chances are most will be fine going on about their lives as normal. We made the decision to cancel our holiday as I don’t want to be In an airport being pregnant and also with my 4 children.

Strongmummy · 01/03/2020 11:17

I’d cancel because (even if the risk was low/same as not going) the anxiety would just stress me.

sel2223 · 01/03/2020 11:17

Fair enough, it's definitely a personal decision. No right or wrong answer, you just have to do what feels right for you.

OneTimePrepper · 01/03/2020 11:30

@sel2223 says

"the fatality rate amongst flu sufferers is a lot higher than what we have seen so far with coronavirus."

The fatality rate is not higher for regular flu. The total number of deaths from normal flu is higher yes. But fatality rate is the percentage of those with the illness who die, fatality rate is higher in CONVID-19 than regular flu despite the total number of deaths being lower.

The reason more people have died from regular flu is pure and simple: It has been around a hell of a lot longer. Convid 19 didnt even exist 4 months ago.

To anybody who does not understand the potential spread we might soon encounter with CONVID-19 please educate yourself on exponential growth. I am not saying its all doom and gloom ahead but please dont confuse mortality rate with number of deaths. It doesnt help.

Original poster
AlexaT · 01/03/2020 12:02

Thank you very much for your responses ladies. Still very much undecided but your responses are appreciated. Thanks again

OP posts:
Viletta · 01/03/2020 12:28

Ask yourself whether you'll be able to relax on this holiday or you'll end up washing your hands all the time and checking temperature.

EstebanTheMagnificent · 01/03/2020 12:36

You need to consider not only the risk of contracting it yourself (which is currently fairly low) but also the risk of ending up trapped in a quarantined hotel for several weeks or unable to find an airline willing to fly you home.

Xyzzzzz · 01/03/2020 12:43

To be fair the hotel can’t confirm what will happen in the future. It’s out of their controls they can only comment on the day.

Bol87 · 01/03/2020 12:56

I agree with @EstebanTheMagnificent - for me, it’s not so much catching the virus itself (although I’d rather not obviously!) but the possible impacts on travel it may have. Getting quarantined in a hotel over there & not able to fly home. Or needing to self quarantine when you get home. I think I’d go insane trapped indoors for 14 days.

Be worth considering the local hospitals & travel insurance too in the unlikely event you caught while out there, how much would it all cost given the pregnancy etc!

Chances are, you’ll be fine. It’s just so unpredictable at the mo..

toomuchteaandcake · 01/03/2020 14:49

The World Health organisation have advised over 60s to avoid public transport, i wouldn't be concerned about the flight. My only concern would be getting stuck somewhere if it was put into quarantine.

PixieDustt · 01/03/2020 14:54

I'd cancel

BloomedAgain · 01/03/2020 14:58

I'd cancel not least due to travel uncertainties

BrokenBrit · 01/03/2020 15:02

I would cancel. The chance the hotel could be put into lockdown so you become a sitting duck for infection would be a concern for me.

Mysocalledlifexx · 01/03/2020 15:03

I would cancel, but its a personal choice. Its a big worry its going to get worse before it starts to get better.

Annafs · 01/03/2020 15:04

We’ve got a holiday booked for when I’m 23 weeks (currently 16) to Portugal and have decided to not cancel it. I spoke to the midwife about it and I’m also a nurse and have decided that until public health England or WHO give clear recommendations not to travel there, I wont worry too much. I’m making sure I’ve got my maternity notes with me, booked travel insurance in case it needs cancelling and will keep some hand sanitiser with me for precautions. Personal decision I think, if you’re the type to worry whilst you’re there because of it, it won’t be a very relaxing holiday so may be worth not going.

Dollywilde · 01/03/2020 15:05

I’m 17 weeks pregnant and my main concern is that I wouldn’t be happy taking any of the antivirals being used for coronavirus treatment due to lack of testing on pregnant women. That’s my main motivation for minimising my risk as opposed to worrying about getting it full stop.

In terms of travel I’ve decided against booking anything but not actually cancelled a trip, I can see that’s a tough call to make.

MagpieWife · 01/03/2020 18:10

@sel2223 Where are you getting your information? The fatality rate for the new coronavirus is 20-30 times higher than for seasonal flu, and we are assuming transmission rates are only a little lower (though it is still hard to say).

OP, you would certainly be considered exposed to the new coronavirus if you ended up on the same flight as someone carrying the virus, which would mean at least 14 days self isolation. On balance I would probably cancel the holiday rather than risk the self isolation with a 3 year old (exhausting!), or the low risk of being trapped in isolation abroad.

But you need to make the decision for yourself depending on the risks and rewards for you personally - how much do you need this holiday? How do you and your 3 year old feel about being at home for two weeks? Are you generally risk avoidant?

Good luck whatever you decide!

sel2223 · 01/03/2020 18:26

I'm actually working at an airport at the minute and that was all on the info sheet we got (although I've been off work for the last 2 weeks so it could well have changed in that time and I stand corrected if so).

I still think it's important to keep a bit of perspective about it though. I mentioned airports and air travel as there are literally millions of people around the world travelling every day and in close proximity to one another and yet none have caught coronavirus this way! Not a single person.

It's personal choice if you travel though and nobody else can make the decision for you (unless they change the official travel advice which I really can't see happening). If you're going to worry and stress the whole time you're away then there's no point going anyway.

For me, I'm satisfied that the risk is low so decided to travel abroad anyway. I'm just washing my hands more and carrying around hand sanitizer wherever I go!

MagpieWife · 03/03/2020 13:50

@sel2223 I agree that you have to keep things in perspective and figure out your own risk tolerance. But to do that, it is important to have the correct facts - so I find it frustrating when misinformation is circulated.

That info is definitely out of date though - in fact the fatality rates have been known for weeks. I'd be interested to know if it's been updated when you're back to work! Enjoy your holiday in the meantime!

LH1987 · 03/03/2020 14:00

I wouldn't cancel it, there are travellers coming into the UK everyday and mixing with the general population. Every time you go to the supermarket, take a train / tube or go to the hospital for scan etc you are technically putting yourself at risk.

That being said as PP have said if it will cause you stress / anxiety might not be worth it. Though it is a lot of money to waste if you insurance wont cover it. Good luck with your decision.

IslayBrigid · 03/03/2020 17:24

I am interested to know how exactly it IS being transmitted if it isn't being transmitted on planes and at airports. What do the experts thinkig - is it mostly through close contact with an affected person? What does close contact mean?

Info online does not seem to go into a lot of detail on this

PandaPink · 03/03/2020 20:56

There will be people that have had it and recovered without actually realising it. It's already here in the UK all around us there's no way it is contained to just the cases they have discovered, so Id go and enjoy your holiday!

I'm going to Tenerife in 2 weeks at 20 weeks pregnant and can't blooming wait!