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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Covid caution

15 replies

Carabu1 · 20/09/2020 12:25

Hello all! I’m about 26 weeks pregnant, first timer, and I’m really starting to feel like I’m losing my mind over risk assessing everything I do re: Covid. Just wanted to get a sense of how cautious/not other women in same boat are being/able to be. I will be wfh til maternity leave now as will husband, and am not going to shops, indoor spaces, anyone’s house. However, am still happy to have a coffee or whatever with people outside, in parks, and (more problematic maybe!) going swimming. Does this sound like overkill, or not enough? Especially starting to doubt the swimming, but at the same time it’s the only exercise I can currently do. How’s everyone else feeling, and how are you coping with the added stress of everything feeling like a risk assessment?! I live in an area where cases are on the up, so that’s feeding my worry about it I think as 3rd trimester comes into view. Thanks guys - and no judgement! - i know we’re all doing our best atm in horrible circumstances.

OP posts:
mumsofboys · 20/09/2020 12:28

I'm winging it. If it's busy I'll avoid. I have to
Shop but wear a mask and make sure most things are outside. 3rd trimester I'll prob go into hiding more. House gathering etc are a no go for me

StrawberrySprinkles · 20/09/2020 12:31

Currently 37 weeks pregnant so have spent the whole pregnancy with the pandemic really.

I’ve been into a shop twice, been buying everything online and doing home deliveries for groceries, I’ve been walking around my local area and went to a few parks where you could book tickets so limited entry, and I have visited my parents and in laws - mostly meeting outdoors but sometimes indoors too. Haven’t seen any friends or other family as they live quite far away. This is what I’ve felt comfortable doing and I’m sure others will have done things differently 😊

Just got to do what you feel comfortable with and what risks you feel are worth taking, for example I’ve felt that shopping or restaurants etc haven’t been worth the risk (although I really do miss going out to shops and out for dinner!)

Original poster
Carabu1 · 20/09/2020 12:36

Thanks guys this is making me feel better - I guess because none of my friends are pregnant atm compared to them I am super paranoid...! I need to think more about the swimming - it’s on the borderline I think of a risk that’s ‘worth it’...maybe I can sub for online Zumba or something....!

OP posts:
1990shopefulftm · 20/09/2020 12:36

I'm almost 35 weeks and haven't been to shops or anything since march and worked from home until my mat leave. I've not seen friends or family as they live a distance away, we're in a local lockdown area and it just doesn't feel worth the risk.

I've had a couple of days where I almost caved and wanted to go to a shop or cafe but then I'd read of the situation of what my labour would end up being if I got covid and that made me feel resolved to keep avoiding them. I make sure to get exercise outside almost every day which helps.

Hatscats · 20/09/2020 12:38

35 weeks now, I’ve been shopping throughout, all normal outdoor activities, out for meals, lunch, seeing friends and family at their houses etc. Been in the office from August too. It would drive me mad to not go out though as I am usually busy!

SqidgeBum · 20/09/2020 12:45

I am 34 weeks tomorrow. Throughout my pregnancy I have been pretty lax. I stuck to lockdown rules, but once they were lifted I had friends over for coffee, went on holidays to cornwall, see family, have had family stay from abroad, I take DD to cafes, I go shopping, DD is in nursery and DH is in a very public facing job. I wear a mask, I try to SD, I dont hug anyone, I use hand sanitiser, but thats it. I am pretty well read on covid, and getting it is rubbish, but the chances where I live are very low. We have about 10 cases a week in my county.

Take the precautions you feel comfortable taking, but losing your mind over it is a bit much. You take risks every day; driving a car, flu, other contagious diseases, even pregnancy itself has many risks. It doesnt mean you have to rule your life by those risks. You have to try think logically about it, maybe look up some statistics. Covid risk is pretty minimal tbh.

Flowerpotmen87 · 20/09/2020 12:54

I’m 32 weeks and until recently was working in a patient-facing role in a hospital. Social distancing impossible at work. We live in an area with high rates of Covid but I’ve been going to cafes/restaurants/supermarkets and people’s houses. DS still goes to nursery so is bringing every bug home. I’d go mad if I couldn’t do those things, so I guess it’s up to each individual’s risk assessment and what you can actually ‘give up’ without going mad.

At work we had quite a few pregnant women come through more recently who tested positive for Covid and were completely asymptomatic. This also gave me some reassurance.

Disappointedkoala · 20/09/2020 13:04

30 weeks - I've been going to the supermarket throughout as was shopping for at risk family members, since lockdown eased we've been out for meals, cinema, a UK holiday, attractions, soft play etc. I think catching it is pretty low risk but we're taking precautions with wearing masks, washing hands, walking or using the car rather than getting the train/bus when possible. I'm not the sort of person that can stay in all the time and with a very active toddler it's just not possible or desirable.

Pinktruffle · 20/09/2020 13:15

I've been fairly careful. I've been working from home since I found out I was pregnant in March, I work in a school and they have been really supportive with this.
We get click and collect for our grocery shopping and all other shopping has been done online.

I've been twice to visit my parents who love quite far but just day trips rather than overnight, they have a massive house so we have been able to socially distance indoors. They are in a local lockdown now though as are we in the area we live in so not sure when I will see them again. They are not going out other than to grocery shop and walking for excercise. My sister lives with them though and works in a public facing role and gets the train so that make some cautious.

We went shopping once when restrictions were eased but it was a booked appointment at a baby store that only let 2 couples in at once and socially distanced so that was great.

I've gone out for walks with friends occasionally and we have one friend who come round to the house, he works fairly isolated but has been socialising more recently so we have cut back how much we see him. DH is working from home but does some extra bits of work for a friend who has a garage so pops there on a weekend but I've asked him to cut that back/stop now I'm in the third trimester.

aToadOnTheWhole · 20/09/2020 14:16

I'm only 13 weeks, so early days. But my DS is in nursery school (so no social distancing) and my DH works on city centre public transport as security (so people spitting at him, coughing in his face, physically restraining etc) and he goes to the gym.

I go into supermarkets to do the food shop and see family but that's it. Hand washing and mask wearing as standard.

We were all quite poorly with what I suspect was probably Covid early March, when you had to be on death's door to get tested so can't be certain but t fit too well to be coincidental) But my biggest threats to health sleep in the same bed as me and the smallest one sneezes directly in my face Grin

FudgeFlies · 20/09/2020 14:52

Just wanted to add my say here. I have been avoiding shops unless absolutely necessary, limiting who I was seeing (few friends who work in an office and schools), I’m working from home but partner is still at work. Been to one restaurant within the last week (and before then I can’t even remember). I’ve been up so scratch with mask wearing and hand hygiene and no one has been in our house. And I tested positive on Friday due to a loss of smell and taste. Absolutely worried about the baby (33 weeks) but midwife has reassured me. My point is, please be careful. I haven’t been around anyone asymptomatic and have been as careful as I can be and here I am...

Original poster
Carabu1 · 20/09/2020 16:18

Thanks so much for all your replies. It’s so hard isn’t it? I think you’ve helped me make up my mind that they’ll be no more swimming/anything else non-essential and indoors for me for the foreseeable. Sad, but going to grit my teeth for 3 more months!!

OP posts:
bluemoon2468 · 20/09/2020 16:21

I'm 38 weeks and I haven't been taking an extra precautions over and above following lockdown rules. I've been eating out regularly, shopping, spending time with friends (both indoors and outdoors) etc. Personally it's been essential for my mental health, as the months in total lockdown really did my head in and I couldn't have carried on like that for any longer than necessary. Each to their own, but the impact that my mental health has on my baby is just as important as my physical health imo.

FudgeFlies · 20/09/2020 16:49

@bluemoon2468 Totally agree, hence why I started seeing specific people and went for a meal, my mental health needed it too. Just be careful and prepared. I was so surprised that I was positive after being stuck home shielding since March, I’ve been so cautious with masks and hand washing and keeping distances and haven’t been around showing symptoms and those who I’ve been around still have no symptoms - that’s what scares me the most! I’m very greatful and lucky that I have very minor symptoms (no taste or smell) as I know it could be worse. Stay safe ladies xx

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