Coronavirus and pregnancy

[RainMinusBow]

I'm concerned as I'm an older mum-to-be, almost 29 weeks pregnant and hoping there won't be a midwife shortage when I'm due. Also a ft primary teacher having to work until at least 38 weeks.

Planning on a home birth...

@RainMinusBow there have been a few threads regarding Coronavirus and lots of women are definitely nervous, some are ok and some are panicking a bit. personally i feel reassured now by the research so far but have ensured i am working from home - my DH is too - and we are being careful about when we are going out to the shops. that's all i can do. i work in education too and it was a nightmare worrying about everyone who was coming in the door. but we're all in the same boat, just keep washing hands all of that

@FeelingBeautiful Thing is, it's not possible for me to work from home and they're not closing the schools currently.

It's the potential shortage of mw's concerning me the most, particularly as there's a minium requirement of two for a home birth and peak of coronavirus is predicted for 10 weeks which will be around my due date.

I'm 25w also a primary teacher.
I'm also worried about the situation!
Sorry I have not advice, just in the same boat!

Is there any other type of birth you could think of that you would be okay with as a back up plan, just incase?

Also worried about the same thing (33 weeks pregnant) home birth isn't an option for me as I'm high risk but worried about the shortage of midwives and what the hospitals going to be like in 7 weeks!

Following with interest. 16 weeks pregnant and planning a home birth. I'm worried too. We don't really know what affect (if any) CV19 has on pregnancy and the unborn baby. I can't help but feel anxious about the unknown.

I'm going for a section in 11weeks and I just read they are testing 3 nurses at my hospital after a patient coughed on them

@motherofkitties haven't they said it doesn't pass from the mother to the baby? That's what I had read on all the information I've been looking at, unless I've missed something.

www.rcog.org.uk/en/news/national-guidance-on-managing-coronavirus-infection-in-pregnancy-published/

Just some advice from professionals, hopefully help to put everyone's mind at ease a tiny bit

@Thekindyoufindinasecondhand It's the possible shortage of midwives I'm concerned about mostly.

I had two really awful hospital births previously and I suffer from anxiety so very much hoping for a home birth if at all possible with completely minimal intervention.

Yeah, I'm worried about over stretched hospitals around my due date too (as well as actually catching it/vulnerable loved ones catching of course). Not much to say really but I don't think it's an overreaction to be concerned

I'm considering a c section anyway but will see what the situation is nearer the time.. it might be that with a shortage of midwives a planned c section is advantageous.. not if there's a shortage of surgeons/anaesthetists though of course!

Can you consider engaging a doula?

Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology have published this document for maternity units. Might give you some answers -

www.rcog.org.uk/coronavirus-pregnancy?utm_source=Royal%20College%20of%20Obstetricians%20and%20Gynaecologists&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11381928_Coronavirus%20guidance%20%7C%20March%202020%20%7C%20Public%2FSeedlist&utm_content=%3E%20Read%20guidance&dm_i=15N0,6RYCO,1JD717,R3SIR,1

They've also published this for pregnant ladies -

www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/coronavirus-pregnancy/covid-19-virus-infection-and-pregnancy/?utm_source=Royal%20College%20of%20Obstetricians%20and%20Gynaecologists&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11381928_Coronavirus%20guidance%20%7C%20March%202020%20%7C%20Public%2FSeedlist&utm_content=%3E%20Information%20for%20pregnant%20women&dm_i=15N0,6RYCO,1JD717,R3SIR,1

@rainminusbow

Yes of course, totally understand you're anxieties, I am in same boat. Was just concerned PP's were having worries about the affect on unborn babies and as of yet there is no need to add that worry to pregnancy stress

I'm also 29 weeks (30 weeks tomorrow) and very worried that I could be giving birth right when this crisis is at its peak and hospitals are stretched to the max. And while I know research says there is no extra risk to pregnant women, I also have asthma so I'm worried how the virus could affect me if I catch it. I was hoping to have a VBAC (as long as this baby isn't breech like my son was) but I'm starting to think an ELCS might be safer in the circumstances.

@Letsallscreamatthesistene thank you! That's very helpful.

@beingsunny Sadly there's no way we could afford that.

Hi everyone. Im nearly 33 weeks and very anxious. Ive had a consultant appointment today and they said i could have a c section if i want. I want to be in and out as quick as possible. My previous births were 36 hours and 25 hours so not sure what to do!!! Im also worried about care for my two little boys as sending them off to their grandparents isnt the best idea anymore

Hello beautiful mama's, I'm 32 weeks pregnant with my 7th baby after having 5 caesareans and 1 VBA5C. I am terrified about being pregnant with the coronavirus but I hired an amazing Naturelle VBAC Specialist doula who has given me so much support during this time. She will stay with me from my 39th week until I give birth. She also told me there's nothing to worry about and not too worry too much because worrying isn't doing anything for my baby or myself. A woman I know had coronavirus and she was 40 weeks pregnant and the mother and her baby are well. It's really scary right now but I'll try to listen to my doula because she always knows what she's talking about. I definitely feel more supported since I've hired her and it's taken my mind off the fears I have. Let me know if any of you give birth during this risk period.

I’m also worried..20w preg, ivf baby , in London every day and woke up 2d ago with a cold and a sore throat. My 5y old woke up early today morning with temp 39, also has a cold (she had a cold for the past week)..I do think it’s just a normal cold but staying in for a week now. My worry is that there is just not enough research, data how it could potentially effect the baby, if not late preg stage/close to labor and baby more or less fully developed , usually they tell you that a higher temp is not good for a baby, hence have the flu jab so if someone will get the virus and has a high temp, could it potentially effect the baby..they can’t tell as no data..

Just to say I’m also in similar situation to OP and others, 29 weeks preg and mainly concerned about giving birth at the peak of the virus when hospitals are stretched to the limit. Considering employing a private MW/doula but no idea how to go about this!

Just read that a newborn baby in london has coronavirus, they don’t know yet if contracted during delivery or while in the womb..that’s terrible and scary

Just adding myself to the worry pile - I’m a 20 week pregnant doctor working in the emergency department. It’s the unknown that is the worry - what will the health service look like at my due date and what are the effects of COVID19 on me and my baby?

Reassuringly, there is NO evidence that COVID19 is more dangerous for pregnant women (like SARS is) and children/babies who contract the virus have been doing very well.

Such a small data set and such early days though. Hopefully this is all a storm in a teacup and will fizzle out in a thoroughly unexciting way. Remember the VAST majority of patients have mild symptoms and therefore don’t need hospital and therefore won’t add strain to the NHS or put NHS workers at much higher risk of exposure (especially midwives who don’t work in the emergency departments)

That must be tough Nelbert19 - I hope things don't get too crazy in your hospital.

I'm currently self isolating due to a very mild cough (since I've holed myself away I haven't actually coughed at all ) and due for an obstetrician appointment on Monday.. will have to call the maternity unit tomorrow and see what they say.