November 2020 babies - thread 9!

[Iona1985]

In honour of our third trimester I thought we should start a new thread!

@futuredreams

I have also read that women who test positive cant have a birth partner.

Can you decline the test? I dont see how NHS can decline you care if you are not symptomatic?

@AnxiousLady1 @Oatmilk1 thanks for your responses. I don't feel like I will have a positive test it's just it's scary to think I could be positive. I asked about declining the test and they said if I do decline they will treat me as if I did have Covid and birth partner wouldn't be allowed to come and I will be put in isolation. Which basically feels like they are forcing to get tested. It's really upset me today. I don't know if I'm just at the end of my patience with Covid or hormones but today has floored me.

@futuredreams Gosh that's terrible. I didn't realise that would be the case at all. Surely denying a birth partner is denying a fundamental right? Id have thought at the very least they could also test your partner if you had a positive test. I'm sure you don't have it, but it's just giving you something else to be anxious over. Something else for me to think about now too! 🙈

@AnxiousLady1 sorry - my intention was not to scare anyone. I'm going to ask again tomorrow at my other appointment so I will update everyone if you are interested. It doesn't sit right with me and I have been given misleading information before during my appointments so I'm checking tomorrow. The more appointments I have now are putting me on edge too because I'd prefer to just be at home in case I do catch anything but that doesn't seem to be practical either.

@futuredreams Oh no don't worry. It's just something I hadn't considered and probably should have! 😬

@futuredreams I had a Covid test done while I was in labour so basically a case of too little too late. The result hadn't come back by the time I ended up on the postnatal ward and the only difference it made was that I ended up in a side room instead of the main ward. I still have no idea if the result ever came back (or what the result was) as nobody really seemed to care after that.

I hadn't even thought about having to have a covid test when in labour

@wannabebump me neither - it's not even been mentioned

@littlegem84 wouldn't surprise me though, as my MW hasn't been exactly forthcoming with lots of info

I also hadnt thought of this. I am having a section in 4 weeks. I have a scan and consultant appt on Friday so will also ask and then update everyone. I dont think they can refuse birthing partners though.

In regards to meeting the baby once here, my parents will meet him regardless of the restrictions. I dont want to keep either set away. Same goes for MIL though she is a teacher and very cautious so might not want to herself. I have a massive family though who are all desperate to meet him, less sure there. I have told my grandparents they will have to wait until next year, I am far more worried about us passing it on to them. I am in the South so tier 1 and though cases are rising seems much slower than everywhere else. Just going to wait and see where we are mid Nov.

@wannabebump you make a fair point!

@FilthyforFirth we're the same for the parents, although I have my reservations about others. We have friends who we know are being careful and others who quite clearly don't give a %#*^, it would be easy if we could pick and choose, but that would likely cause world war 3!

@littlegem84 sounds like we have similar MW's!!

It's so hard isn't it @wannabebump. All my friends are pretty cautious so I think it unlikely they will meet him anytime soon.

My siblings and extended family, who I am super close to, are also quite sensitive. I dont have a fear of my baby catching covid, the risk seems extremely low from what I have read. I suppose like a pp, I dont want to catch it and be dealing with it on top of a newborn and a toddler.

I had hoped things would be different by now, but its getting closer and things only seem to be getting worse

Haha I said sensitive but I meant sensible!

Also my dad and step mum will be looking after my son whilst I am in hospital. So completely pointless keeping them away when they will be bringing DS back home to me once I am discharged.

Agree with others, it's so hard to know what to do and my parents especially are so desperate to meet the new baby but ofcourse don't want to risk passing anything on. They live 3 hours away but have said that they will come up to see her once she's born even if it's only through the window.
Currently we are thinking that they can hold her, but no kissing, whilst they wear masks and have washed their hands thoroughly. I was also thinking of asking them to put on a clean jumper from our house just to be extra careful incase it can be transferred on fabrics. Feel like I'm being totally over the top but they understand and will do pretty much whatever it takes to see her. My mum works in a college and is currently in self isolation as someone tested positive last week so they've had to all work from home 🙄
As if having a baby isn't enough to worry about, COVID really is testing us all!

See the below from RCOG:

Q. What if I decline testing for coronavirus?
If you decline testing for coronavirus prior to attending hospital for urgent or planned maternity care (including labour and birth), your care will be the same as any woman who is admitted to hospital and who does not yet have a test result.

If you have symptoms suggestive of coronavirus your care will be the same as for any woman who potentially has coronavirus.

If you do not have symptoms you will be treated as other asymptomatic women who do not yet have a test result. For most units, this will mean that you are presumed to not have coronavirus.

www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/coronavirus-pregnancy/covid-19-virus-infection-and-pregnancy/#testing

@FilthyforFirth I agree I'm not worried about my baby catching covid as the risk is so low in babies in children. I will be less at risk after birth than now as I'm only high risk now due to pregnancy. Obviously will still be careful as would be a pain to feel poorly, but won't be going OTT with masks in my own home etc.

On the topic of covid; with some of us being so close to our due dates is anyone isolating before birth? Or just going about as normal?

@FudgeFlies I'm not isolating unless specifically told to, but im leading a fairly quiet life just now anyway with covid so I'll still be doing my new normal until baby arrives x

I'm not isolating, especially since I have a toddler in nursery a few days a week that I am not prepared to take him out of.

I am massive, quite uncomfortable and still being sick/suffering from severe nausea so not going out much anyway. I have done all my Christmas shopping online. DH at home so he does the food shopping. Currently in tier 1 so still allowed to see people indoors which is the extent of my leaving the house right now! My dad lives round the corner so still going there.

If I am told to isolate of course I will but wont be doing it voluntarily.

We’re not deliberately isolating as such but both wfh and tag teaming looking after our toddler, and get all our shopping delivered, don’t have a car, so practically in isolation. Just seeing our local friends and going to local parks etc at the weekend. I’m also massive and exhausted as still working v long hours and insomnia has been terrible. I’m looking forward to getting out a bit more when baby is here!

Yeah I agree @harrietm87. Once I've recovered from section and looking forward to walks with the baby and in general just feeling more up to leaving the house. My first 4 weeks or so with DS were euphoric to be honest, I was on such a high from the HG being over that even him being a rubbish sleeper didnt bring me down! Summer baby so once I was up for walking I went outside all the time. Might not quite manage so much this time round but going to hope for the best weather wise!

Thanks all. I’m only going out if necessary and partner is doing most of the food shops. Friends have asked to meet but I’m a bit weary of meeting people so close to due date, don’t want to be giving birth in isolation if Im symptomatic. Especially as I tested positive previously whilst being so careful!