How worried are you about covid?

[Aaliyahhh]

How worried are you about covid now that you're pregnant? I'm intuitively wanting to be much more cautious now about taking the tube and going to restaurants but I often end up feeling silly next to everyone going back to normal almost I know the midwives say there isn't a specific risk that's been proven, but even if it's not life threatening or anything I really wouldn't like to be so ill during my pregnancy! Would love to hear how others think about this. TIA x

I fell pregnant just before lockdown started and I was very anxious then. Luckily those feelings have eased and I am calmer about it now - I’m careful about hand washing and masks, but the danger doesn’t feel very present.

I think it’s a very normal worry to have, especially in early pregnancy, but I try to keep it in perspective with the knowledge that I’m not really any more at risk than anyone and I can take a lot of steps to mitigate the concern.

Not really worried. I've only stopped certain work tasks because of my employer risk assessment, I would have carried on. My only worry is getting to hospital in labour, being tested, and unknowingly being positive in case I have to wear ppe or my husband does.

I’m 37 weeks now and my worry levels have increased a bit in the last week or two. This is mainly just because i’m anxious about catching it when i’m due and then having to give birth alone/be really ill with it. Hasn't helped that cases have started to slowly rise again in the last few weeks where I live. Planning to spend the next 3+ weeks doing only low risk activities (no pubs, restaurants etc), only seeing friends outdoors. Hopefully will be ok then.

I'm 28 weeks pregnant and working in a public sector frontline job so I can't really afford to be too worried about it Tbh. My 4yo is also at nursery. I just take the normal hygiene precautions. Hand washing and cleaning down my work space between service users.

I'm 32 weeks so lockdown started when I was about 9 weeks, I've just gone to appointments and out for exercise really. I am asthmatic as well and with my lungs having less space I really don't want to risk getting it. I had quite a bit of annual leave left to us so managed to book it before my work went back in the office and went straight onto maternity leave from that, so got very lucky timing wise.

I also am not prepared to take any risks this late on and end up getting covid and passing it onto my husband then end up in labour alone because I have no one as a back up (understandably if he had any symptoms at all or a positive result he wouldn't be allowed to be at the hospital).

I am now 32 weeks pregnant and feel as though the anxiety is building a bit. I am a teacher so if it’s brought into the school I’m really worried there will be no way of avoiding catching it. May need to take early maternity leave - has anyone else done that?

@Annalou30 i started mine at 31 weeks but I gave over a months notice, so I'm not sure how it would work if you changed your start date at short notice.

Not worried at all- 30wks pregnant, work won’t let me back in the office when the others will return a month before I go on mat leave. I’ve asked if I could come in via a car (central London) to help train my cover. My 3 yr old is in nursery and we go out and about as usual.
I have had to not wear a mask when shopping on occasion due to feeling faint (eg during that really hot spell of weather we had)- I apologise if questioned but I can’t help low blood pressure.

That's interesting many aren't worried. I've actually mainly been worrying about whether or not to put my toddler back in preschool, which also involves public transport. Those who aren't worried - could I ask why not? I think I need my mind put at ease a bit!

I really feel for teachers @Annalou30 If I were in your position I think I'd take early mat leave for sure!

I'm clearly not normal then because I'm still quite worried! Although I'm asthmatic and overweight so I worry more than that, than due to pregnancy. We've not been to any restaurants since before lockdown and if I can get something online, rather than go into a shop, I will. I'm due in just under 3 weeks tgough, so like many others, my fear is contracting it in the lead up to labour and being a risk to the midwives.

Tbh because the statistics don’t warrant me to be. I’m fortunate enough that no underlying health conditions, no particularly elderly or obese members of my family. Pregnant women weren’t told to Isolate, rather to be careful but even then I’ve tried to google and I can’t find evidence as to why.
I’d be far more concerned about mmr from unvaccinated kids or sepsis l affecting my children.
Covid may never be cured and I won’t live my life inside and segregated.

Those who aren't worried - could I ask why not? I think I need my mind put at ease a bit!

I researched the risks to pregnant women and they don't seem to be any higher than to non pregnant women.

Because from the research I've read pregnant women and their babies are at no more risk than others. I've no major risk factors, cases are low where I am and I refuse to afraid and locked away. Both other children will be back to school tomorrow so what will be will be!

Although the risk of catching it or dying from it are no different from the rest of the population, the Oxford study the NHS advice is based on did find higher rates of premature birth and emergency C-sections.

www.ox.ac.uk/news/2020-05-12-pregnant-women-are-not-greater-risk-severe-covid-19-other-women

The Lancet published a systematic review of lots of different studies from around the world, and found the same thing, as well as a small risk of transmission to the baby in the womb.

www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(20)30190-5/fulltext

We've been very cautious on that basis and have been fortunate with working from home and online deliveries. No meal out or trip to the hairdressers seems worth the risk.

Although the risk of catching it or dying from it are no different from the rest of the population, the Oxford study the NHS advice is based on did find higher rates of premature birth and emergency C-sections are they higher, because the study/ article doesn’t say how many out of x amount of women have premature births without covid

@OnlyFoolsnMothers bliss' website mentions 1 in 13 births in the UK are born before 37 weeks so it is a higher amount when compared to the 1 in 5 that the oxford study quotes for mums who had covid at the time of the delivery.

Thanks @Deut28 @1990shopefulftm That's really helpful. Maybe I'm not crazy after all.