Anyone been in labour at a hospital recently and do you need a COVID swab

[JKD1982]

Hi,

Was told by my midwife yesterday that now all women going into labour are being swabbed for COVID when they get to hospital. I’ve been self isolating for 12 weeks already so extremely low risk and no symptoms. I don’t want to be swabbed as it’s meant to be painful and in the midst of worrying about labour I can’t see why it’s necessary.

Has anyone had to have this? Sorry if I sound rude and people think “oh just have it done to be safe”. I don’t want another test or orifice being poked and prodded

[doodleygirl]

My goddaughter has her baby last Friday, she was swabbed

[headachehair]

All admission are getting swabbed at our hospital.

It's not painful at all! I swabbed myself (they encouraged it) and honestly, it was fine.

[headachehair]

Also to say, it's not just about you needing to know for admission, it's about keeping the staff aware so they can use the correct PPE, know where to place you on the ward, prevent spread to other mums and babies etc.

[JKD1982]

Ok thanks. Sorry. Just feeling a bit emotional about it all tonight and thinking about all the different rules and scenarios. Of course safety of the staff and other pregnant ladies is more important. But just another thing to be concerned with.

I had heard the swab is really painful and makes you gag and headaches etc. Better to know it doesn’t hurt and you can do yourself. Thanks

[headachehair]

Of course. It scary coming into hospital at the best of times! Honestly, it didn't hurt me at all. The worst but was putting the swab up my nose after it had been in my mouth...for some reason I was a bit 😱 at that!

[JKD1982]

Thank you @headachehair

Time to remember not to read the stupid news stories about people passing out and crying at having the tests. God I’m fed up being pregnant through COVID.

[ChipsAreLife]

It's important they know because you need to know for when baby is here so you and the staff can take precautions if you're positive.

I know a few people who have had it done, they describe it as unpleasant rather than painful.

[mamalicious3030]

I was told it depends on the hospital policy. The hospital I gave birth in told me they rest all inpatients. They said another hospital only tests if they show signs. That's what the doctor told me.

[Helbelle17]

I was swabbed at my pre op on Monday (planned section). It wasn't pleasant, but it was over very quickly. Swab to the throat and nostrils, took seconds and I had no headaches or anything from it. It did make me gag, but I found the blood test much worse!

[mamalicious3030]

Oh and it's not painful and I didn't gag. That was only 3 weeks ago. It was very easy. Not u comfortable at all.

[Clemmieandareallybigbunfight]

It's not optional

[Soph88888]

At my hospital it is definitely optional and they have made that clear

[FourPlasticRings]

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-taking-swab-samples

You can watch the video on there to see how the swabs are taken. It's about self-swabbing but I imagine the procedure is the same even if someone else is doing it.

[AldiAisleOfCrap]

Of course it’s optional, they can’t force a procedure on anyone without a court order. Neither can they refuse to provide care to a woman in labour.

[AldiAisleOfCrap]

I think it’s wrong to refuse though just to add.

[Zaradelorio]

How far up the nose does it go ? I have really severe nose problems and not sure if I could have it done ?

[FourPlasticRings]

How far up the nose does it go ?

Just on the inside. Not deep.

[FourPlasticRings]

[Kerlassic]

Yes we are offering swabs to all women but of course you can decline. It’s not nice tbh (being swabbed) but over in seconds. We aren’t swabbing babies at the moment.

[Kerlassic]

@Clemmieandareallybigbunfight don’t be ridiculous.

[smeerf]

I'm sitting in a labour ward right now under observation. The woman in the bed next to me was just admitted and they swabbed her - apparently they're doing it for all admissions. She coughed a bit but didn't sound that bad (I'd still rather not, but needs must).

[olivesandpecans]

Had mine today (in for cesection next week). They said they were doing swabs for all pregnant ladies do they could get the right level of Ppe and care for mum and baby. They were kind and compassionate and even though I was apprehensive they put me at my ease. It was a little uncomfortable but very quick and no pain afterwards. They said I will have my results in 48 hours. for you as I empathise with how you’re feeling.

[JurassicShay]

All labouring women & birthing partners are being swabbed at my maternity hospital. The results will be used to determine where you are put after the birth.

After birth everyone goes to a waiting for results antenatal ward unless already showing symptoms

Then if results are positive your moved to the covid antenatal ward / private rooms if there's enough. if negative then moved to the normal antenatal ward.

I'm not planning on hanging around if I can help it. My hospital will discharge you after 6 hours if everything went ok with the birth.

[20viona]

@headachehair it's two different swabs for nose and throat not the same.

[Sandybval]

This is missing the point slightly, but if the results take 48 hours to come back, what's the point in swabbing ladies when they go into labour? Or is it so they know who they may have been in contact with? I know some have long labours and have to stay in, but it's not necessarily the norm?

Anyway, you'll be fine OP, my friend had one last week, and she is (no offense to her) not good with anything painful or uncomfortable; she said it was okay, and she often has a flair for the dramatics.