Giving birth during social distancing

[greywoollyjumper]

What happens if you go into labour whilst the social distancing guidelines are in force? We've got a DD so my DH would have to stay with her - unless we left her with someone but that would go against the guidance? Also not sure who we'd ask as assumed we'd ask GPs but they're over 70 so can't ask them anymore. So it's looking like I'd have to give birth on my own which sounds pretty terrifying... Has anyone done that/ can they reassure me??

I've had this conversation this morning and if it were me and DH I'd be giving birth alone so he could look after our 4yo.
I'm only 12 weeks pregnant so no clue what state it will all be in by October.

You'll be fine with the midwives though I understand it must be nervewracking

I think (although undecided and it’s so fast moving that it may be different by that time anyway!) that I’ll try and continue with my homebirth and let my 2 dds go to my mums, providing that no one has symptoms etc and then quarantine all of us for 2 weeks after.

Due in 5 weeks so anything could be happening.

I can’t drive so can’t get myself to hospital and will have to be taken by dp who can’t leave dds on their own.

There doesn’t seem to be a right answer, whatever option I look at there’s an element of ‘rule breaking’. I’ll just have to see closer to the time what the situation is like!

Hopefully by your due date things will have calmed down and you can carry on almost as normal!

It's funny how things change.

I used to see so many threads saying I don't want anyone near me for 12 weeks not MIL not anyone.

Now people are worried no one is allowed to visit.

I’m due in 5 weeks and my plan is to isolate between now and then (bar midwife appts) and just get food deliveries. I’ll be asking grandparents to completely isolate 2 weeks before, they’re already only going out for essentials, so they can have DD and DH can come in with me. If it doesn’t go to plan then I’ll be going in alone which I really don’t want.

It may be that partners won't be allowed anyways, some countries already introduced such measures. Due in 6 weeks and anything can happen between now and then... I'm mostly staying at home minus running to shops, as no delivery slots available at all. But it may be partner will need to stay with dd as in laws are not isolating and not avoiding socialising so won't trust them with care for her.

@Clementine8 ideally you should isolate your daughter for two weeks as well - she is more likely to catch it and pass it to your parents than the other way around.

Wondering this as well as I'm 37+5. We're in Aus and at last appointment I was told only one birth partner. Initially not concerned as DD would go to friends/they would come to us depending on the time of day but I have mixed feelings about that now with number of cases picking up. We were also able to bring DD with us if there were any issues over childcare and have friends meet us at the hospital to collect her if necessary but they have banned all children now (understandable).
We have also removed DD from daycare as of Monday/tomorrow and are both wfh as I have bad asthma and regular flu lands me in hospital.
Things are only starting to accelerate here but they are moving fast with implementing regulations etc so it's looking more and more likely I'll be birthing alone while DH looks after DD. Feeling very sad as he is a really hands on dad and so supportive and desperately wants to be there I'll be asking about guidelines etc again at next MW apt on Wednesday but can't see the restrictions getting less in the next 2 weeks.

@Darkstar4855 DD will be isolating with me and DH between now and then. At the most DH may go out for food but for at least the 2 weeks before non of us will leave the house. We’ll probably just end up with some very odd meal choices!

I'm 40+5 so could give birth any day. My local hospital has a rule now of one birth partner and no visitors. We have been planning a home birth so I'm hoping that will still be possible as then DD could just stay here with us.

Luckily my parents are in their 50s and no health conditions so are still happy to look after DD. They have been self isolating, as have we, to minimise the chance of her passing something to them or vice versa.

Do you have any friends or even neighbours who are in a low risk category who might be willing to have your DD while you give birth, so that your husband can be there? If I was healthy and childfree I would be willing to risk it to help a friend, assuming your DD isnt showing symptoms.

When are you due?

I'm due early June with a 3 year old. My DSis was meant to fly in and stay with us to look after her but she can't fly in now with flights/border restrictions. No idea what we will do now. It's all very stressful at this late stage of pregnancy

Thanks for all the replies. I'm not due til July so anything could happen between now and then but just thinking ahead. I'm not really a candidate for home birth as my last was born by c-section otherwise I'd definitely consider that too @OddshoesOddsocks. Will have to just see what the state of play is nearer the time. Might copy your idea @Clementine8 - self isolating for a few weeks before and asking GPs to do the same so they can take DD.

It seems like a sensible @greywoollyjumper, it looks like we’ll all be isolating by then anyway! Good luck

I'm 39 weeks today and terrified I'll have to give birth alone.
I have covid symptoms (fever) and if my husband starts showing them too he won't be allowed in the hospital with me.

We have been self isolating for 6 days now and he's been fine so far, but the risk is real!

DP and I have talked about this. I’m only early days at the minute but we have decided that I will birth alone if push comes to shove and DP will stay at home with DS. Our parents are all in the vulnerable category and my sister is a key worker who would be unable to self isolate before and after the birth.

I'm due in July. I already have a toddler.
We are going to completely isolate for two weeks before the birth. My parents ( late 70s) are also going to isolate. Then they will drive to the house and look after dc1 while I am in labour. We will then do a handover from a distance when the baby is born.
It isn't ideal, but there is no way I would give birth alone. With my first labour, the midwife was shocking. It was my husband who left the room and demanded the doctors attend. I was in theatre within a few minutes. If I'd been alone with her, who knows what would've happened?