Pregnancy & Coronavirus

[Niffler1988]

Hi ladies,

Anyone else concerned about getting the coronavirus whilst pregnant?! I'm 11 weeks and so paranoid about getting it. There is barely any advice for pregnant mothers and I work in a college so I'm exposed to germs all the time! I just feel like the NHS aren't giving us any proper advice for expecting mothers and it has me so worried. Our immune systems are lowered and I'm so terrified of catching it, however as there's no advice, I can't just stop coming to work.

Please tell me I'm not the only one worrying about this? I've taken to carrying around my hand sanitiser everywhere I go...obviously using soap and water where possible.

Also primary teacher -25 weeks. Trying to be calm -but the kids don’t practise good hygiene! All quite stressful but trying to trust it will all work out. We can start maternity 12 weeks before due date so I guess I could always go off early if needs be! I’m just wondered about pregnancy complications too which could happen and make you more vulnerable and mean being in hospital more too etc!

I'm 16 weeks and worried in terms of the risks of having a high fever/possible links with SARS. I think my DH is more worried than me! I work in a university but my job also involves going out to visit students in their workplaces, so lots of potential exposure. My LM has been very good and said he's fine with me working from home/conducting student meetings by phone if i feel more comfortable (and we may have to do that anyway if they close campus). I'm holding off on remote meetings for now, but i'm definitely not shaking hands!

I am in the same boat so scared about all this and cant stop going to work I am 18 weeks

I think the main danger to pregnant women (particularly 1st trimester) is to do with fever, which is one of the initial symptoms. Fever is known to raise the risk of miscarriage and birth defects. So although there might not be any specific effect of the virus on the baby, that aspect is definitely a worry.

Not going to lie, I'm 9+3 and im pretty worried. Just taking all of the necessary precautions.

Joining the worry club. I'm 25 weeks pregnant - our baby has already been diagnosed with a cleft lip, and potentially one other problem, so even before the outbreak I was worried that If I went into preterm labour he wouldn't be classed in the normal surivival rate Cos of his other problems. So now this just adds to it. I'm a London commuter as well and it's shocking how many people sneeze and cough without covering their mouth. Grim🤢

Joining the club here! 13 weeks pregnant, nurse in a big hospital. The very small evidence at the moment shows that babies born to infected mothers do not have the virus, however this is a very small sample and only people infected in the later stages of pregnancy.

I think the biggest concern is a continued fever in early pregnancy - this can increase the risk of spina bifida. Although, if this is kept down with paracetamol then I’m not sure if it’s such a risk?

I also have a 2 year old, and although it seems to be less problematic for young children, I can’t help but worry, especially as she gets severe viral wheeze with any sort of cough / cold bug.

I'm also a bit concerned not gonna lie! Think it's the lack of information about it that's the worrying thing.
Hopefully as it progresses they might be able to know more info and let us know.
I've got a holiday booked to Malaga which is an infected area ...in 8 weeks and it's putting me off going

I'm going to go against the grain... I'm not overly worried at this stage, I've a 5 and 3 year old with asthma and I'm 13 weeks. I've read all the data, and not the press hyperbole and it's not affecting children really. Currently there has been no cases to suggest pregnant women are at threat, but yes the fever point is the worry. The main group is those over 60 and those with existing conditions such as cardiovascular, respiratory, diabetes. Most people who get it will only have mild symptoms.

My friend is a nurse in a hospital and said they will cancel non urgent operations, apps etc if required. Maternity care will carry on as normal as those nurses and drs have specialist care that isn't the best fit for treating those with Coronavirus. Plus people can't hold having babies in! I guess if they close schools that will impact staff and of course those that get it - but as it stands that's not happening just yet to affect things.

I can't allow myself to worry about something that's out of my control as for me that will just fuel anxiety. I'm just keeping my hands clean and instilling it in the kids. I'll probably avoid any trips to London for work where possible, but I was there last week and in Europe as was DH.

My main worry is the economy.

@ChipsAreLife I second you on the economy worry. If schools close my company will immediately stop making any money and will have to continue paying the salaries of 50 people. My biggest worry currently is that I could be out of a job!

It's hard not to get concerned as day by day the cases increase, and yes the main concern for me also is the fever. Really pissed off that as a pregnant woman no one is listening to my concerns

Who is not listening feeling?

Joining the worry group here. 26 weeks pregnant and concerned both that I will catch it but in equal measures that the NHS will be overwhelmed and won’t be able to offer the same support when I need to give birth... I think the only thing we can do is keep updated daily on the governments plans to manage this and just take our own precautions to stay safe.

I have WFH this week and will continue to do so until further notice. There was a positive case in the town where my head office is and I want to see how the virus spreads in my area. I think the government will release daily update on where the positive cases are so we can gauge plans. Also the economy and our job security is always a concern, but definitely second to health...

Fingers crossed the nightmare passes soon and we can go back to normal. Stay well everyone xx

Sorry I can't reply to everyone, but it's nice to know that we can support each other, and also that I'm not feeling crazy! Someone said about not worrying as its unlikely to effect the baby once born or cause significant harm/death to the pregnant lady, however that's not my concern. My concern is developing a fever and it causing a miscarriage or other complications as I'm still in the early stages of pregnancy. I also agree with whoever said about us not having much information, they just don't know the impact it could potentially have, I just wonder if we are more susceptible to it because our immune systems are suppressed, which in turn could lead to a fever which could lead to complications! I'm trying to stay positive and keep up good hygiene practices, but I think as Mother's we are programmed to worry!

38weeks and my concerns are more around people who can’t follow advice and my hospital is one with a testing unit.. obviously not on the maternity ward.

Babies have to come out eventually and I’ve been marked as high risk so I’m glad it’s almost over as up until now I’ve been at the hospital pretty much once a week, so obviously harder to avoid sick people. Ive managed to keep my midwife apps recently to a smaller clinic, not a gp, where it’s xrays mostly so I’m not sat with anyone who can’t follow the “if you’re having symptoms don’t come here” protocols.

I don’t know if your midwifes do clinics in different buildings but maybe worth questioning it.. my avoidance was more seasonal flu and bloody noro season. Our gp practice is always full of people who can’t seem to grasp that they will infect more vulnerable people and you can’t do anything for a viral bug or at least they won’t give little Johnny antibiotics for d&v.

I'm concerned as the hospital where I'm due to give birth at the end of the month had a case of it. The maternity and labour section is separate but I'm still concerned. The disease hasn't really been around long enough for us to know for sure the effects it has yet so I feel like it's all very unknown and people are very blasé about it. I've also listened to people who had have had it and recovered from it who were not elderly and they said it was horrific so I would definitely not like to be catching it any time soon or running the risk of exposing a newborn to it

25 weeks and I'm a GP. There has been very limited data published so far (series of 9 cases, all late 3rd trimester), no adverse effects on mother or baby. Not much to go on I know, and I'm sure more data will come in time, but what there is, is reassuring so far. I'm more worried for my elderly parents than I am for myself. Carrying on as normal at work, but will be finishing fairly soon due to other pregnancy related issues.
I'm a bit concerned about the potential impact on ongoing antenatal care (say I get exposed and have to self-isolate), as my care plan is for pretty frequent appointments, and also anaesthetic availability when I'm delivering, if all the ICUs are at bursting point. But day to day, it's not overly concerning me. Yet

@MissisBee it's always reassuring to hear from docs and frontline staff. I know there is not a lot to go on for pregnant ladies in terms of covid-19, but I've been reading about the impact SARS had on pregnancy and that was worrying...I wonder if they are different viruses? Sorry don't mean to scaremonger, it's just something i"M wonderful

SARS and swine flu were both particularly risky for pregnant women. When coronavirus first started, it was predicted to be the same, but the early data isn't looking too bad so far. Time will tell I guess.

Wanted to take the time to remind posters the difference between affect and effect.

Affect is the verb and effect is the noun.

A lot of posters on this thread seem to not know the difference !

@Fantasiaa this thread is for pregnant women who are scared and need reassurance regarding Coronavirus. I don't think anyone gives a shit about the correct grammar. Move on.

@Fantasiaa are you for real?

@Fantasiaa Nor does anybody care.

OP I feel you! Some will make out you're ridiculous but it's only natural when pregnant to feel more vulnerable! I've been worried but have managed to talk myself out of it. I'm now more worried about my parents. Wishing you a carefree pregnancy!

@Fantasiaa wow. You read an entire thread of anxious stricken mums to be to comment on the use of grammar. Might I remind you to get a life and use your "time" better, I'd say that's more important than grammar. I was told my unborn baby was going to die a few weeks ago (not because corona, for the purposes of the mamas on here) so I wanted to take the time to remind you to put things into perspective, if grammar here is really your serious concern.

@2020babym - really sorry to hear your need. I have no words and instead just send love x