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.

Thanks @LikeTheOceansWeRise - I couldn’t agree more. Xx

Ladies, the RCOG have now released the guidance on their website. So far it looks good for us on the data they have

Thanks burntpinky, good to hear about no recommendations to separate etc as of yet.

I'm not reassured either...and I have a sore throat and my temp is 37.4... I know it's unlikely to be corona virus! I just got over a bad cold...is this kind of run-downness normal in pregnancy?

I found the RCOG info released today quite reassuring... and that’s coming from a very stressed out person right now. What have I missed that’s worrying...

@mamasiz our company announced today that all employees can work from home as of today if they feel unsafe traveling or have heath issues. They will also close all offices for a couple of days to test out business continuity in a situation when everyone needs to work from home. I find your company is so unreasonable.. I would press on your anxiety as mental health guidelines should be followed at least

@123456kent I think for me I was just hoping for some information applicable to early pregnancy. I do think there are some comforting facts represented in the findings too though. Sorry to hear you are feeling stressed out too. Let’s hope we get some more information over the next few days. I’ve just stocked my bag up with more hand sanitiser and wipes and will just continue to use these and regular hand washes.

@123456kent

@LJxo

I think I feel like you both. I’m trying to focus on the fact that ‘it’s a new virus and we are still learning about it ‘ is NOT the same thing as ‘it’s a new virus and it’s definitely disastrous for pregnant women’.

I feel much better ignoring news media and it’s inevitable hyperbole and engaging with the facts present by Public Health and RCOG and NHS, all of which do not indicate pregnant women have additional cause for concern at this time. It’s amazing how engaging with different types of media can really change your perception on things because of the way they present essentially the same information.

@Viletta wow - that’s brilliant and exactly the right kind of response. I work for a local authority so forward thinking is completely alien to our management.

@LJxo i think also it’s to do with your stage of pregnancy - my concerns are all focussed around birth and my newborn and hospital care etc whereas if you are in early pregnancy clearly you have other concerns which you may feel haven’t been addressed today. All I know is the release today didn’t make me feel WORSE, which is a bonus. As right now my mind is an absolute sh * t storm, about this, and other things surrounding pregnancy/birth/my toddler.
@MadameDePompadour I want to also ignore the media but I feel addicted. I’m addicted to trying to find reassurance or a magical article that’s going to chill me out. I’m internalising a lot of this and that’s not helping, but I can tell every time I mention my worries to someone IRL they think I’m bonkers.

@123456kent
I totally get what your saying. And I am exactly the same so you are not alone. I am addicted to it to and have been basically trying to find something that says ‘if you are in early pregnancy and get COVId-19 you will be absolutely fine and we guarantee it.
But I know realistically that is never going to happen. Think we just have to try really hard to limit how long we spend doing that and take care of ourselves. I’ve actually found that putting my phone down and getting up to clean things or do random little jobs around the house helps or maybe I’m just transferring the problem !!

@123456kent I think you are absolutely right about my concerns. And do feel more comforted for when I reach later stage based on the info. I hope you will find some comfort from the information too as that’s a lot to worry about for you (ps don’t think your bonkers). Hope you get plenty of rest and it’s important for us all to focus on the research they have done as this does look to be good for us.

Thankfully my boss had just agreed I can WFH next week. I’m off tomorrow anyway so just going to print up a bunch of stuff at end of week to give me enough to do at home next week

@LJxo I’m the same as you - disappointed that the RCOG advice only ’mostly refers to the care of women in the second or third trimesters of pregnancy.’

Just a few sentences about the general risks of fever in early PG would help women and employers make more informed decisions about extra precautions.

To me this is all part of the wider culture of dismissiveness of early pregnancy and miscarriage, it’s just not really in the agenda. (Not between women, obviously there’s amazing support and awareness on here - I mean medically and politically).

I don't think anyone is dismissing early pregnancy. It's more than likely that they don't want to take a guess and give people wrong information when the don't have data.

The fact is, so many things can sadly cause a miscarriage. It can be caused by genetics, the body self scanning and rejecting an embryo or foetus based on detected abnormality, rubella, chicken pox of shingles, medication, etc. and sadly when it happens, its very hard to tell. So anyone having a miscarriage and also having CV would be unable to be studied in detail (until there are enough cases, and sadly we aren't there yet).

I talked to my GP, and he said the most important thing is to stay on top of any fever and to ensure you're monitored.

I feel for everyone on here, to be pregnant and worried, I'm the same. Its shitty, but anxiety probably won't help either. I suggest you have a chat to your GP or midwife about how to manage the illness, as well as any anxiety you're feeling. I think we all need to do both.

My boss messaged me today to say I should work from home indefinitely. My workplace is starting to put measures in place and I'm thankful to him that his immediate reaction was I should wfh - i didn't have to ask.
I'm not anxious at all but I just feel that while they have no data on early/mid pregnancy (for obvious reasons), it's better to be cautious and take reasonable precautions.

I’m having a meltdown and need to write down my worries, sorry if this is a bit strange and in the wrong place.
34 weeks, 2.5 year old becoming increasingly more difficult by the day. Terrible PGP, havent been mobile for 4-5 months. Now unable to walk. Going to request to wfh for next few weeks rather than commute to London.
Can’t sleep for worry.

• what if labour ward is closed when labour comes, no midwives/infected ward?
• what if dh is ill/in self isolation either between now and baby arrival, when im in labour or when newborn here?
• what if i get it, cant cope with illness on top of terrible pain. Will I not see toddler for 2 weeks? What if i go into labour and have it
• what if my 65 year old parents get it? Should we all be keeping away from them? What if i go into labour and they have it? Where will toddler go? What if they get seriously ill/die?
• what if nursery closes and i have a newborn and toddler with no support 7!days per week. How do i re-settle a toddler back in nursery at an already turbulent time of life

So many more worries, but these are top. Sorry, i sound insane. I dont know who to talk to about this, I feel so alone.

123456Kent I would say those are all normal thoughts at the moment.

I think you're best off speaking to your midwife as I don't know the answer to most of those questions. I think they would deep clean wards rather than close down though? People won't be able to stop having babies and they'll have a plan in place. My fiend works on a paeds ward she said the hospital is on it and well prepared so they will have plans.

I think it's impossible to self isolate from young children. I wouldn't be able to with my two. Children seem to be worse affected though, I'm more worried about passing to elderly.

What are they doing for you PGP?

It's so hard to keep calm with this when pregnant I know.

Almost wish I’d had another unsuccessful month last month because of all of this! But then I hear it’s likely to come back next autumn so am thinking maybe it was best time to get pregnant if I can avoid catching it this time around. The whole thing just sucks. They really ought to put a stop to these Chinese wet markets

I completely understand your worry @123456kent. I agree with the above poster that you should speak to your midwife about your worries as they can tell you what measures they are putting in place to ensure the labour wards run as usual.

Most people get very mild symptoms - a friend of a friend has it and she's totally fine and even working remotely now. Chances are if you or your OH got it, you would be well again relatively soon.

Maybe chat with your partner and make a plan for if one of you gets sick. A plan always makes me feel better!

It's a really scary time, but there are so many factors that are completely out of our control. It's easier said than done but try to focus on what is within your power to control, like good hygiene and avoiding gatherings/lots of people if that makes you feel safer. It will pass, and you will get to meet your lovely little friend soon!!

@123456kent
Most of your worries are understandably normal.

I'm 33 weeks and high risk pregnancy plus I have gestational diabetes.
I have an 11 yo son and a 2 yo. For me school closures don't affect me, I home educate my son and I'm happy my children can't bring home the virus by maybe being exposed to other children/people. I would have worried more about that than them being home.

I don't think maternities will close, they will just ask who us not urgent not to come. We will still be able to deliver our babies. The worst case scenario I'm getting used to is that I might need to go and deliver without my husband if we have all to stay isolated, in case we can't bring the children to who is to watch them. I'm coming to term with that so I know if it happens I'm not unprepared.

About our parents really there isn't much we can do. They have to follow the hygiene measures and hope they don't catch it. My parents live in Italy in one of the cities with the lockdown, my mum has health problems but I think if I start to over worry it won't help. I have to trust they are sensible in what they are doing and trust God in protecting them.

I find that isolating myself from the outside helps me worry a bit less.

I had the flu over Christmas ( real flu), chest infection, UTI, strep throat, skin infection... all in 2 months, 3 courses of antibiotics so far, so I know my immune system is really low and find that being exposed less to the outside world it's best.
I don't think it's irrational, the situation is not nice and it's going to get worse. I know from what my family back in Italy tells me, two weeks ago they were like us, now they are overwhelmed. So I'm prepared to that. Online groceries and inside activities with the kids( or in the garden).

I hope you can find some measures to adopt that will help you cope better, we need that for our babies and children!

Hugs!

Thanks for the support.
PGP wise - nope, no one has done anything for me for my entire pregnancy, despite being in pain since 15 weeks and seeking help at 20 weeks, I have a complaint logged with my trust but thats absolutely separate and not something I want any professional concentrating on or spending time on anymore, much more important things to deal with now.
I spent time with mw today in a routine scheduled appt, the first time I’ve really spoken to any professionals this whole pregnancy, and I feel a bit better since.
Of course she couldnt tell me anything that changed the current state of affairs, its a crisis. No getting away from that. But she told me about senior members meeting hourly, community midWives being taken off non urgent duties and being in labour wards, one birth partner, no visitors, out of hosp a few hours post birth, no post birth mw visits for weighing etc.
Nothing that i found too upsetting, but the whole topic I do find very distressing

I'm really stressing today I'm 18 weeks pregnant and have woken up with green discharge and bleeding have spoken to the doctors they said I needed to be seen by them or midwife to rule out infection. Made me an appointment then asked if I had cold which I have had a few weeks no temperature or coughing suddenly they cancel my appointment and say to monitor it myself at home and ring back next week if it's worse!

@Billyandemily oh gosh.... that's a pregnant woman's worst nightmare. I hope you are okay and getting better. Hopefully it's nothing. Maybe call them in 2 weeks and say that you haven't had any symptoms anymore and should be good to be received?

There are some not so good news today, there a newborn with the virus in the uK www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/14/newborn-baby-tests-positive-for-coronavirus-in-london