Experience - birth during the virus

[coronabirth]

I've seen a lot of threads asking about what happens now during the virus so I thought I would share my experience.

Had a elective section booked in due to previous birth trauma, I was in the high risk category.

Before:

All appointments went ahead, albeit some on the phone, had to monitor BP and urine at home, midwives in full PPE for face to face visits. Scans were alone, at no point was my section threatened with cancellation.

During:
Day before I had a CV19 test on DAU.

All pre op done on the ward which is now combined with antenatal and postnatal, settled into my bed. Went down to OP met my husband outside the entrance to the theatres. Beautiful DD arrived, slight infection. Went to recovery for around 30 mins where husband was allowed to see DD. Transferred to ward, husband went home.

After:

I won't sugar coat, the midwives are ran off their feet, pretty much instantly I had to pick up DD and feed / change nappies etc. Not great with pain meds and forgot antibiotics for the baby. No visitors on the ward, but you're allowed off the ward for 15 minutes to meet your partner if you wish, baby must stay on the ward, but people are leaving and mixing and coming back to the ward.

Ward is a strange place, lots of tears at missing children and partners, difficult births to process alone etc. It's definitely subdued.

Discharge:

First baby appointment with the midwife is done on the phone and then I had to take baby into the clinic. Follow up app with the doctor is also on the phone.

Overall not the celebratory experience I had with my first, I was scared and nervous a lot, missed the reassurance of my husband, but everyone is safe and healthy and that's the main thing.

Thanks OP - it's really helpful to read this.

I'm glad you and your DD are safe and well . Congratulations!

Thank you for posting this. I'm due 1st July and this is more or less in line with my expectations.

Post natal ward was hit and miss with support for me 3 years ago, so wasn't expecting better, but at least they remembered to monitor the baby then.

I'm glad you are all safe and well.

Can I ask what advice (if any) you've been given around immunisations at 8 weeks and if you are allowed visitors if the lockdown is lifted? I want to try and manage my families expectations if possible.

Thank you

Immunisations are going ahead as normal, actually the community midwife said they're trying to encourage more people to take them up in the midst of the pandemic.

Re CV19 only advice was to follow the government guideline and to be reassured if baby gets ill that A&E isn't seeing CV patients so it's safe to go.

I forgot to say both my husband and I had to wear a mask walking to and in theatre.