Giving birth and Covid

[Jodied25]

Looking for some advice, I am due to give birth any day now, we as a family have been self isolating for the last 2 weeks however my partner will be at the birth which means no one to look after our 8 year old daughter! We have had no contact with other family members apart from MIL who has been dropping off food! Even then keeping distance. I know we aren't supposed to allow others into our home, but what choice do we have we need someone to look after our child! Am panicking really bad at the thought of everything and was wondering if anyone had any advice? Thank you.

Following as in a similar situation. My feeling is that if everyone has been isolating properly (we have) then although against the rules (and I do understand the logic to the rules) it’s minimal risk, and an emergency situation. I don’t see there’s any other choice, would be interested to see what others think.

One of the exceptions to the restriction on leaving the house is "to provide care or to help a vulnerable person" so I'm assuming this would cover a family member looking after a child in these circumstances. I'm due in May and assuming the restrictions are still in force I'm planning for my mum to come and look after my kids while I'm in hospital.

I was watching this morning and a woman asked one of the experts this question about looking after children during childbirth they said obviously try and pick a family member or friend who is under 70 as the over 70s would be isolating for 12 weeks so try to get cover from someone who is not in the high risk group

As a previous post said, surely if you’ve been isolating, and so has your MIL, then you’re all going to be relatively safe? You’re not flouting the rules for no good reason, you need someone to look after your little girl. Maybe I’m wrong but if you’ve been isolating, surely it makes sense to leave her with someone else who has also been isolating as you know they’ll be safe?

MIL has been doing her best to isolate and keep distance however shes had not choice but to go food shopping for household and ours! Maybe that's what's worrying me x

Following as in similar situation although not due til June so time for things to change for me!

My problem is my parents are 5 hours away, and my in-laws who are close by are over 70. So i can't just ring my mum to pop round for a few hours when I go into labour

Good luck @Jodied25 you'll be holding your baby soon!!

@marmitecheesetoast Thank you, it's actually my due date today, nervous and panicking about everything, just wanting to keep both my babies safe! Good luck for June and I hope by then everything will be better ❤️

Good luck. I think maternity services should be ok, if a bit odd, because only midwives can do a Midwife’s job-they can’t be redeployed!