COVID and pregnancy

[Whiffle77]

Just looking for some views on what other preggos are doing at the min, and how they are feeling about COVID. I must stress that I know everyone's risk profile is different and this isn't a bashing thread, I'm just interested to see how others are feeling!
I am generally following the guidance - only really meeting up with friends outside, going to shops, going out to eat with DH etc. Still trying to distance and havent hugged anyone and so on. I feel like most other people I know (not pregnant or any other health conditions) seem to be far more relaxed about it and are hugging/meeting up inside/going out more. Seems to be the case for people I see out and about too.
Im trying to balance my concern for it with the mental health benefits of getting out and seeing friends. How is everyone else doing?

I'm 39+5 and very relaxed about it all. I'm living life exactly as I did before (except changes forced on us such as wearing a mask in a shop).

I follow mask laws as required but that’s about it tbh. I’m not really social distancing, have seen friends indoors, the toddler is in childcare, DH has been to the office a few times, we eat out frequently and I have to fly long haul soon too.

It’s what works for me and my family but that doesn’t mean it’s what works for you so don’t feel pressured into doing things you don’t feel comfortable with.

I'm 36w and just started going out to meet friends for lunch or dinner in small groups (of no more than 6), in places where I am confident the restaurants/cafes adhere to social distancing (by my DH doing a reky or friends having already been since reopening).

I figured that in the not too distant future I won't be so readily available to meet my friends or go for dinner once baby arrives so I may as well make the most of it while I can. That said, I've o ly started doing this about a week ago.

I'm following the rules with masks and no unnecessary physical contact eg hugging though. We're still on air high fives or elbows, and I haven't been going into shops or supermarkets etc (all shopping online except one visit to pram shop).

Thanks all. @Margo34 thats also how I feel, so we have been eating out a lot as wont be able to soon!

Yes I've also been in the office every so often too. Thanks @ShyTown its not so much im being pressured, im just conscious it has been easier so far because of the weather - soon plans with friends will be far more indoor based, and I'm not sure how I feel about that yet. I had a loss just before this pregnancy so I suspect my risk tolerance is lower than normal, and was interested in hearing other people's views/plans!

Do what you feel comfortable with.
I ve got asthma on top of being in my third trimester, normally it's well controlled but if I get an infection it can go quite downhill let alone if I got covid so haven't seen my friends and family at all as they are in different parts of the UK so popping to see them just to sit outside and using public toilets isnt practical.

My DH has seen friends a couple of times outdoors as they are reasonably local and otherwise just gone to the shops when necessary with a mask on.

We ve agreed that because positive covid test for either of us would mean he would miss the birth and I couldn't give birth where I would like to that we ll try and get food as deliveries or a click and collect when it's closer to my due date.

Some people would say I m being way too paranoid but I know for my mental healths sake that it will do me a lot more harm giving birth alone than not seeing other people for a few months.

I have had covid (confirmed) so I suppose I sort of feel slightly less at risk, although I'm aware there is no proof of this. Anyway I'm 14 weeks and I am:

• wearing a mask in shops etc (and only going in shops when necessary, not browsing)
• sanitizing hands after shopping/ touching things out and about
• mainly meeting people outside although couple of times i have been inside with small groups as per government guidance
• washing my hands carefully whenever coming back inside
• most things like tourist spots etc are closed up here anyway.
• i have been out for a few meals/coffees but carefully observing the rules and good hand hygiene

I'm not particularly worried about the baby, but covid was horrible so i certainly don't want it again!

I’m 28 weeks & I'm pretty strict about it all.

I don’t really go to the shops & when I do I have a mask on & constantly use hand sanitiser. Haven’t been out for food or (non alcoholic) drinks as I just don’t feel safe.
Also not working from now onwards as it’s advised that ladies in their 3rd trimester are a bit stricter with socially distancing & my work are fine to accommodate this.

I have lots of close relatives with serious underlying health conditions so that has added to my anxiety about me passing on the virus to them. That stresses me out more than the thought of me getting it.

@IHTC

I'm 39+5 and very relaxed about it all. I'm living life exactly as I did before (except changes forced on us such as wearing a mask in a shop).

I'm 33+4 and doing the same as this ^^

I was cautious at first but there was 1 death on the day count yesterday. 1. Out of 67 million. My mental health is taking priority now.

I'm very strict but that has more to do with me being very vulnerable than the pregnancy. I have seen our parents, a cousin and a friend outside at a (4 meter) distance. Socially that's it. I do see a lot of people (6-8) in the hospital every two weeks and I wear a mask and use lots of alcohol on my hands/arms to kill off any virus inbetween the appointments. Shopping is click and collect. This was a long awaited ivf pregnancy so being pregnant does keep my spirits up in this situation. I'm so thankful for it that I don't care as much that the rest of my life is boring. Can't wait till she's here.

Yes @022828MAN I'm not really concerned about dying, I think I'd be OK (hopefully!) If I caught it. My worry is going into premature labour and passing it on to the baby, im not worried about me at all! The cases are rising pretty steadily it seems.
Thanks for the responses, its been interesting to read! Im unsure how my view will change as the seasons progress (so no outside gatherings) and I guess with whether cases keep going up.
I was reading the RCOG guidance this morning @scotgal99 and interestingly they have removed the comment about WFH for everyone in third trimester, unless it is a public facing role. Mine isn't and I am 27 weeks, so i will be going into the office a few days a week until I finish now. Im happy to do this though, I suspect if I pushed i would be able to stay home!

hope you are feeling much better @Marriageoftrueminds

@Whiffle77

Yes *@022828MAN* I'm not really concerned about dying, I think I'd be OK (hopefully!) If I caught it. My worry is going into premature labour and passing it on to the baby, im not worried about me at all! The cases are rising pretty steadily it seems. Thanks for the responses, its been interesting to read! Im unsure how my view will change as the seasons progress (so no outside gatherings) and I guess with whether cases keep going up. I was reading the RCOG guidance this morning *@scotgal99* and interestingly they have removed the comment about WFH for everyone in third trimester, unless it is a public facing role. Mine isn't and I am 27 weeks, so i will be going into the office a few days a week until I finish now. Im happy to do this though, I suspect if I pushed i would be able to stay home!

Just curious, is there any evidence to show that covid in 3rd trimester causes premature labour ? Or that babies are adversely affected? I'm not doubting you, I'm just wondering as I haven't seen any evidence to suggest this is the case.

I am 31 weeks. I am basically back to normal. Obviously infuse hand sanitizer, i try to wipe down trolleys, I dont hug people (I was never a hugger anyway), and I havent done much eating out but that's more for lack of babysitting for my toddler. I have people over to visit, meet others outside at parks or for a coffee in their house, and I generally don't worry about coronavirus. However I have had no health issues, and I live in a place where we have 3 cases in the county a week. It's basically non existent.

@Whiffle77

Yes *@022828MAN* I'm not really concerned about dying, I think I'd be OK (hopefully!) If I caught it. My worry is going into premature labour and passing it on to the baby, im not worried about me at all! The cases are rising pretty steadily it seems. Thanks for the responses, its been interesting to read! Im unsure how my view will change as the seasons progress (so no outside gatherings) and I guess with whether cases keep going up. I was reading the RCOG guidance this morning *@scotgal99* and interestingly they have removed the comment about WFH for everyone in third trimester, unless it is a public facing role. Mine isn't and I am 27 weeks, so i will be going into the office a few days a week until I finish now. Im happy to do this though, I suspect if I pushed i would be able to stay home!

I found three different sections on the RCOG website that said women in their third trimester should be partially attentive to socially distance guidelines which I forwarded to my work. I can’t work from home & my job requires me to interact with the general public. I’m basically on furlough until my mat leave starts.

@022828MAN The RHOG website pretty much says that they advice women in their 3rd trimester to socially distance as there is potential risk of severe complications. It does also mention that there is a chance of premature labour.

[quote scotgal99]@022828MAN The RHOG website pretty much says that they advice women in their 3rd trimester to socially distance as there is potential risk of severe complications. It does also mention that there is a chance of premature labour.[/quote]
I know what the recommendations say, but I'd like actual evidence that a positive covid test in pregnancy is more likely to cause premature labour. I've not seen any evidence. Recommendations aren't the same as evidence.

Its very limited to be fair @022828MAN, but on here www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/coronavirus-pregnancy/covid-19-virus-infection-and-pregnancy/ there is a study from May (!) Which says of those pregnant women hospitalised with COVID, 1 in 5 had a premature Labour. Disappointingly this seems to be the only study so far, despite the weboage saying they are studying every case. It would be great to have something a bit more up to date rather than just opinion as you say

@scotgal99 thats good - as I say the advice previously stated all those in third trimester should wfh, but interestingly that has been removed now.

@Whiffle77

Its very limited to be fair *@022828MAN*, but on here www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/coronavirus-pregnancy/covid-19-virus-infection-and-pregnancy/ there is a study from May (!) Which says of those pregnant women hospitalised with COVID, 1 in 5 had a premature Labour. Disappointingly this seems to be the only study so far, despite the weboage saying they are studying every case. It would be great to have something a bit more up to date rather than just opinion as you say

@scotgal99 thats good - as I say the advice previously stated all those in third trimester should wfh, but interestingly that has been removed now.

Thanks for that OP, I'll have a read. I guess with it being such a new virus the evidence will be limited for now. We have to also remember that states only pregnant women that were hospitalised, which will likely be less then 1% of pregnant women that actually contracted covid. So whilst 1 in 5 sounds high, that isn't a true representation of actual premature labour compared to positive covid cases in pregnant women.

I'm planning to fully isolate from 37 weeks, not because I'm worried about covid on me or baby but because I'm having an ELCS and they test for covid on admittance, and if positive there will be extra precautions etc so would rather be negative.

And again on affecting babies, the info in the news seems to be more and more that it doesn't affect babies and children badly but again there's so little evidence!
Its frustrating that its guesswork, what I want to know is X number of pregnant women tested positive, of those Y were hospitalised, of those Z went into premature labour - that info exists so why hasn't it been reported on since May?

Cross Post @022828MAN - i will likely be doing the same before a CS, primarily to make sure my DH can be with me!

I have exactly the same issue/fear. I gave birth to my twins prematurely at 23 weeks, and they were obviously too small to survive. I am now due end of November and I find the thought of being alone horendous. I have a midwife appointment next week and going to see if there are any options - I looked at private rooms in the hospital, but partner still kicked out within 4 hours. Other than my baby dying/being injured, it is the thing that really stresses me and keeps me up at night. I am also trying to understand self discharge. So no help, but also looking for options.

Sorry - wrong thread!

It’s so hard to know what is being cautious and what is over-cautious. We all make our own personal risk assessments I guess. I’m really prone to anxiety so trying to minimise my exposure just so I don’t sit there worrying about it. I’m about to go into my third trimester where the risks do rise so I’m going to be particularly careful. I’m not seeing friends indoors for example and this will only get harder as the weather gets more rubbish but it’s only temporary. Just want to get through the next three months unscathed.

My son is at nursery and pre-school which in itself brings risks so need to minimise my exposure elsewhere. Hard time to be pregnant but will be worth it in the end.

I’ve become a bit more relaxed since DS went back to nursery, as I feel that’s increased our virus risk exposure anyway so not point hiding from everything. However I’m not living life as normal either.

I’m seeing friends, although mostly outdoors where possible. Have had some friends with kids over to play at our house, but no more than one household at a time. The kids mix and there’s not much effective social distancing going on. I trust my friends to tell me if they have any symptoms. I’m not wiping toys down afterwards or anything like that.

I am avoiding the High St and supermarkets. DH is happy to get what we need and online shopping is easy so haven’t felt the need to visit shops, aside from small local shops.

I haven’t gone out to eat yet. I would eat outside but don’t really fancy sitting inside to eat anywhere. This is also partly influenced by the lack of babysitters for DS, if someone offered me a night off, I might go out for a meal!

However we have been on several days out to busy places because we were all going a little stir crazy and I wanted to enjoy something of summer before winter hits. We’ve been to a few theme parks, using lots of hand sanitiser, socially distanced queues etc. Mostly that’s been fine, expect Legoland which was so crowded it was was impossible to distance.

I have allowed my son to play in parks on play equipment. I was a little leery about this at first but realised it was going to be hard to avoid, and he doesn’t much his hands in his mouth so I just use hand sanitiser when he’s finished.

I won’t go on public transport right now.

I’ve been avoiding places indoors where I’d need to wear a mask for an extended period of time, mostly because I find the masks hot and make my nausea worse, so try not to put myself in those situations.