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

[mouse1234567]

I took part in a research project and was swabbed. I’m surprised that they are allowing self swabbing in maternity wards because i question if that is really effective -it does need to go very deep and I don’t think that’s very easy on yourself because of reflexes-and if people didn’t find it uncomfortable you do question if it went deep enough.

I think I have an average pain threshold and it is quite uncomfortable because it goes pretty deep -I found nose the worse. But it’s over in a matter of seconds so it’s absolutely not a problem. It’s so short lived it really is not worth worrying about. I believe it’s very reassuring that women are having this on the wards -it will give comfort that we are staying safe and they are separating covid patients. Good luck -I would try not to give it another thought -it’s going to be a miniscule. Part of your experience that will be totally
Forgotten about.

[FourPlasticRings]

it is quite uncomfortable because it goes pretty deep -I found nose the worse

The government advice on coronavirus swabbing explicitly says swab the nose just inside the entrance and that there's no need to go deep inside it- person swabbing you may have done it incorrectly.

[Bathwater]

@fourplasticrings our trust labs are saying we need to feel pressure in the nose swab and the entrance wouldn’t be accurate. All our training has been based on this.

It is uncomfortable but it’s short, the throat normally indices a gag but again it’s over in seconds.

[olivesandpecans]

Just updating about the 48 hour results- my swab was yesterday at my preop and I was phoned at 10am today to tell me my results were negative so that was not even a 24 hour turn around.

[olivesandpecans]

I was swabbed by the midwife by the way, it wasn’t self administered

[MrsH497]

It's the throat one that makes me worry I have an extremely sensitive gav reflex and had HG in this pregnancy so I really worry about gagging and being sick. But I know it has to be done so big girl pants will have to go on!

[Amanduh]

Currently on postnatal ward, just had baby. Wasn’t swabbed!

[bestbeforedateexpired]

I have a hospital procedure booked for Fri. Had the swab today. Nose swab goes right to the back of the nose. I found it extremely uncomfortable and had to take a moment before driving off. Throat swab was scratchy and induced a slight gag reflex Have had a headache and burning sensation in my nose for a few hours since.
I can’t see how the self-administered ones will be effective. Reflexes will stop you going right to the back of the nasal cavity.