8 weeks worried coronavirus

[Smartiex]

Hey,

Does anyone else live and travel into London for work? I have to get on a busy central line to work and home every day and am starting to worry lots about the coronavirus. I know in normal flu outbreaks it can cause misscariage in the first trimester due to body temperature rising and can be dangerous for the mother also.

The underground is horrid people coughing and spluttering and like a sauna and no space at all can just about squeeze on. I work in a large office building where people travel regularly for.work too.

Do you think it is ridiculous of me to request to work from home for now? I am petrified of the consequences if I catch it.

Thanks

I don’t think working from home is a ridiculous request at all. I’m 11 weeks and in a similar boat.

Three big unions have advised the councils to let pregnant women WFH news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-councils-should-consider-remote-working-for-pregnant-women-unions-say-11951737

Pregnant women in Seattle are being advised to self isolate.

The UK government has been horrendously silent on early pregnancy so far - basing their blanket ‘it’s fine’ advice on a study of 9 women in their third trimester.

Hopefully this forthcoming advice in conjunction with PHE will be a bit more detailed: www.rcog.org.uk/coronavirus-pregnancy

It may be earlier than you had planned but probably worth telling your employer now that you are pregnant so they can undertake the obligatory risk assessment. If they give a decision that you feel is unsafe you can speak to your union if you have one or if not contact HSE.

Easier said than done but try not to let the anxiety get to you

I don’t think it’s unreasonable to ask to work from home, I work in a large office and half of us have been told we have to work from home for the foreseeable future to minimise the amount of people coming in to the office xx

@CocoCactus - you seem to have a real bee about pregnancy & coronavirus. Everyone is doing their best with the information from medics & researchers. It’s a brand new virus, they don’t have a lot of data to work with, especially on pregnant woman. At the moment, there is little evidence to suggest baby in womb is at risk from mum getting the virus.

I know you’ve had a loss due to a high fever & that must be heartbreaking but I’ve also been in hospital with a fever above 40 while early pregnant & thankfully baby was fine. We are two opposing examples. Of which I am sure there are many. There is of course a risk with fever & it should be taken seriously but you are currently more likely to get a fever from catching regular flu, colds, chest infections (which mine was), ear infections, urine/kidney infections and yet you wouldn’t stop going to work because of the risk of getting those each winter.

It’s a tough one to call but the panic the media is creating isn’t helping. Life has to go on. I’m not sat at home scared. I’ve got a toddler to entertain. I’ve spent the weekend in packed our softplays & swimming pools, plus a supermarket shop. I couldn’t justify WFH when I then go out & live a normal life when I’m not working.

As a manager, I’d be happy to let anyone pregnant on my team WFH because they don’t want to be around crowds of people commuting in or in the office. But for me, that means you also isolate yourself when not working. You don’t go to cafes/restaurants or socialise etc etc. If you are doing that, then you can come into an office. So I guess have a think about if that’s something you want to do & if you think your manager may feel the same way!

Your immune system is weakened when pregnant so I’d take the precaution if possible.

@CocoCactus @Twinkle1208 @Bol87 @Kl129 Thanks everone! Yes I am going to ask to wfh. I am not going to take any risks not worth it.

Shopping and cafes etc are lots different than standing on a.busy central line for 40 mins each way every day thats my main concern. Its horrid in rush hour face on face with everyone. If I could get to work minus that I wouldnt be as worried.

There has already been a case confirmed where I live and a few near my area of work too.

Thanks x

Fingers crossed for your WFH request Smartiex

Bol87,

Thanks for pointing it out but I didn’t actually mention on this thread that I had a miscarriage caused by fever, as I didn’t think my anecdotal evidence is useful for OP who is worried about exactly that.

Yes, of course I have a ‘bee’ about catching an impending epidemic virus that causes fever when I had a 12 week miscarriage caused by fever just a few months ago. I am not just as likely to catch flu - I have had a flu jab.

My issue is not that I am buying into panic, it is justified fury at our crap government failing women by overlooking early pregnancy and failing to acknowledge and report on the well evidenced risks of fever (and therefore of Coronavirus).

With this correct information women can make their own decisions e.g WFH. Right now, if early pregnant women are basing their choices solely on gov advice, as many do, they would be given the impression that their pregnancy is at no greater risk.

Congratulations on being out and about in busy places. Are you pregnant? If not, this is completely irrelevant. If I was not pregnant, or even if I was in my third trimester, I would be doing the same. I’d lick the handrails on the tube if I wasn’t pregnant and the price was right.

@CocoCactus thanks. They are coming up with a decision for me today. Will hopefully know by this afternoon. Unsure why it should even be decided I thought it would be down to the person given the circumstances. There are a few pregnant woman going by her response to me!

I'm in the same boat I don't think there has been much information released specifically for pregnant women in the UK but my workplace has said they may make people work from home but havent actually made anyone yet. That said, I also havent told them I'm pregnant yet, as I'm only 9 weeks so I do have a dilemma. I've also not long started working there so I want to be keen and not be a burden!!

No you are right they have only relseased advice for the later stages of pregnancy. Which is worrying if work places go by this! I am only 8 weeks but told them I am concerned as general flu and other illnesses can be worse in the first trimester. Worrying!

@Indigogirl88 No you are right they have only relseased advice for the later stages of pregnancy. Which is worrying if work places go by this! I am only 8 weeks but told them I am concerned as general flu and other illnesses can be worse in the first trimester. Worrying!

You should tell them if it is concerning you as they have a duty of care towards you and will all be confidential X

@smartiex I'm in the same position as you, and having to travel on the Central Line! I hate that line at the best of times but now I hate it even more xxx sending love

@Bol87 I failed to tag you in my above post

I feel for you @Lucylou37, hope you’re not feeling too stressed. Any chance you can WFH?

@Smartiex did they allow your request?

@Lucylou37 its really horrid isnt it!!! Thank you, you too! Xx

@CocoCactus yes I told them I am not happy coming in . Think I jinxed myself as I feel horrid today like I have the flu ( no coronavirus symptoms may I add) just achy all over banging headache hot and cold and shakes. Been lay in bed all day hoping it gets better

Oh no poor @Smartiex. Hope you recover v. quickly.

I’m sure you know already but paracetamol and a tepid, but not cold, bath can help bring temp down if you get one.

@CocoCactus @Smartiex thanks for your replies! I'm still doing the commute, but luckily more people seem to be staying at home! Still not told my boss, as was really hoping to tell her after scan!

Hope you're feeling better Smartiex xxx