How has being pregnant during covid times been?

[TinyPuds]

Hello pregnant ladies,

I just wanted a bit of advice about pregnancy in covid times.. basically I’m overwhelmingly broody and with a postponed wedding until 2022 my fiancé and I have decided to go for it and start ttc for our first now. It’s either now or we will need to wait until the end of 2022 which isn’t ideal for a number of reasons! But I’m a little bit worried we’re jumping the gun and I just wanted to hear your pregnancy experiences during covid - is it safe? How have scans and check ups etc been? Is there anything you wish you’d known before you got pregnant?

Congrats and love to all!

38 weeks and my care at my trust has been great!
Partner couldn’t come to 12 week scan, which was annoying after loss a few months before, but thankfully all ok.
He could come to 20 week scan.

Wasn’t too bothered about him coming to midwife appts as it’s essentially a ‘check up’ - blood pressure, urine and feel of tummy.

If I have needed something - e.g a swab when suspected thrush - they’ve got me in the same day.
Only had one telephone appt, which was at 8 weeks - all others been face to face. Midwives have been lovely.
Generally felt well cared for!

Obviously, I’m upset about the restricted visiting times before / after birth. But I know my husband will be able to be there to see baby girl into the world!

Pretty shit for me!

Had IVF in Feb, just prior to lockdown. DH couldnt attend 1st scan, but I saw a HB and all good.

Started bleeding at 9 weeks. My local EPU (which did the viability scan and saw me for prior MC) refused to do a scan. I MC's at home the next day. I asked them to do genetic testing on the products, as it was my 3rd MC. They said that all their genetic labs were being used for covid testing, so they couldnt do any genetic testing!

The hospital that did the IVF eventually agreed I could go to their EPU to have the sample tested there. Whilst waiting, I got a call from the local midwifery team to book in my 1st midwife appointment. I advised that I 'might' have mc'd, but hadnt had a scan and still wanted to speak to their midwife. They never called back!

I've just had a 2nd round of IVF and waiting to do a preg test on the 30th.

It seems the care varies greatly from area to area, and hospital to hospital. Some see or get a call from a midwife early on, I've read of others still not having contact till 10/11weeks!

Depending on your age, financial/job security etc, I'd say crack on. No guarantee you will get pregnant straight away. I've been TTC 10yrs, no issues found with either DH or myself and no kids still. Best of luck OP.

I've had two pregnancies during the pandemic, first pregnancy was unsuccessful and going through the processes related to that alone was really hard, this time I'm still early so hopefully it won't be as much of a negative experience

FWIW I think you should get married before TTC. I'm sorry you had to postpone the wedding, but you could still have a small registry office ceremony, and then have a big wedding reception when it's allowed again. In fact it might even be allowed in 2021 - with any luck most vulnerable people will be vaccinated over the coming months and the virus will naturally reduce a bit anyway as the weather improves too - so why postpone until 2022?!

Anyway. I had my second child in September, and the pregnancy was definitely a much worse experience compared to my first pregnancy. I was glad it wasn't my first baby actually and really felt/feel for first-time mums going through pregnancy in the current circumstances. However, things have been improving in some places and there is a campaign that's had some success (#butnotmaternity).

If you really want children and time isn't on your side, I'd crack on despite covid. It's not ideal but as everyone always says, there's never a perfect time. (Other than after you're married IMO )

Overall care was better than with my previous pregnancy. My DH Couldn't come to scans or appointments but I had a healthy pregnancy and I'm not a very anxious person so that was ok, I fully appreciate that not everyone has been so lucky and that support is desperately needed. I found everyone in hospital/midwives to be supportive and kind given the situation, no overcrowding in waiting rooms and you could get a seat which is great. Early appointments were all by phone and I only saw my midwife after 29 weeks but again, that was ok for me.

I had a section and while it was awful that DH had to leave soon as baby arrived, the ward was actually a nice place to be - it was quiet, you could talk to other mum's, staff were friendly, no men taking a leisurely shit in the only patient toilet (this happened last time).

I wouldn’t put it off. You might find it very easy to get pregnant but you might not. I think care has depended a lot on exactly when and what trust you’re with, but the recommendations last week said partners should be attending everything and by the time 9 months at least rolls by you’ll be in an even better state than now.
If you’re in a vulnerable category seek gp advice perhaps re the vaccination but it doesn’t sound from your post like that’s an issue

Hi,
Pregancy itself was fine, we had a few private scans to compensate OH not being allowed to nhs ones.
Other than that no change really, they don't need to come midwife apps etc.
But I gave birth 2 weeks ago, and it was diabolical.
I was in being induced Saturday to Monday evening, in a room on my own, I only saw a midwife when it was time for meds or BP.

Oh was allowed with me the whole time from breaking waters, during labour, csection and recovery.
He went back and forward to nicu to check our girl before he left.

The post natal ward similar to induction room, no visitors at all.
I wasn't been allowed to meet him in the lobby, even though we were going separately to see out premature baby in nicu!
Again only saw midwifes when BP or meds times.
Every woman had curtains shut so I didn't see or speak to anyone for about 2 days really, with baby being in nicu!

I ended up hysterical, so isolated and lonely.
Told them to do my discharge because I wasn't staying another night!
I'm putting a complaint in about the post natal care from midwifes, In a time of vulnerability, there was barely any care from them.

Hey. I had my 20 week scan on 18th March so just before lockdown. I then had to attend the rest of my hospital appointments alone, which wasn't particularly a negative experience but I felt bad for partner more than anything because he felt he was abandoning me.

For me, we got sent to work from home which worked amazingly. I didn't need to buy many maternity clothes and I could use my own loo all day long as was peeing a lot!!

I was booked to have a home birth (decided this prior to covid). I only had home visits at 32, 36, 40+2 weeks and final one on 41+2. So less physical interaction. In between these appointments I had a phone call, which let's be honest a waste of time. But they were all so lovely!

My home birth was amazing and the midwives were incredible. However I was rushed to hospital as my placenta didn't come away. Partner was allowed in when went for operation and in recovery. Then I was put onto the ward afterwards and no visitors which allowed at all. It was one of the most difficult things I have ever experienced in my life. I was so tired from being up for over 24 hours at that point and it was just me to look after baby. I was numb from waist down for a while afterwards and very sore. I didn't get no sleep at all and the midwives and nursery nurses provided the minimal amount of care they could. It was horrible. I didn't get the support I needed. I didn't sleep for over 60 hours in total. My vision was going blurry and I begged them to let me go home where my partner could help me. I'm still traumatised now. My daughter was born 15/8/20 so the rules were quite relaxed at this point in society but not in hospital.

The above however should hopefully not be happening anymore and I really hope hospitals are letting their partners or at least one person to visit them on the ward. If my partner was there I could have had a shower and slept for a while. I know that there has been some sort of statement issued regarding maternity services and the support women need. I really hope they don't go back on it because it was so difficult.

Now for the positive side of things...I was in hospital for just under two days in total so really not that long. Now when I look at my daughter I don't automatically think of the hospital. Even though I have issues with what happened, it doesn't take away the experience of being a mum. Nothing will. Yes it's hard not having the local baby groups or making 'parent friends'. But you thank each day that you're blessed with your child. Life goes on and I think a baby in the current situation is a beautiful and positive thing.

If you want a baby, don't wait for covid to be over. There will always be something otherwise holding you back.

All the best x

I'm 17 weeks and have found the care to be good, although this is our first baby so don't have anything to compare it to. All of my midwife appointments have been face to face, my partner has been to scans and I have been offered a few different places to start thinking about birth (ranging across two health boards). I have perhaps missed out on support from family and friends but I am still working in a patient facing roll (NHS) and have contact with others at work which has helped. I don't feel completely isolated to be honest.

I didn't put off ttc because of covid, the situation is changing constantly and I refuse to put our lives on hold for that.

I'm also not married but I suppose that depends on your own values and wishes!

Just had my second child, no difference at all. Definitely go for it.

I say go for it! There's never a perfect time to have kids. I'm 26 weeks pregnant and yes it's been different this time round compared to my first. But its still really special, I don't regret getting pregnant this year at all.

Currently 35 weeks with my second and other than DH not being at either scan and booking appointment and 16 week midwife appointments being over the phone it’s been exactly the same for me. But both my pregnancies have been really fine with no issues and with my first had a really quick and starightforward labour and was discharged 4 hrs after DD arrived so don’t have any anxiety around labouring alone.

I found out I was pregnant in February before the first lockdown. The first half of my pregnancy was very weird as apart from scans, everything was over the phone. It almost didn't feel like was pregnant. The second half it started to feel a bit more 'normal' as I have face-to-face appointments. I couldn't have my husband at most my scans but I'd say that my overall care was excellent. I got lots of extra scans due to concerns over reduced movements etc.. and always felt like I was being monitored closely.

Giving birth was fine too - for me it felt 'normal' as I didn't have to wear a mask or anything but my husband always had to be kitted out in mask, apron and gloves which was strange (and uncomfortable for him). Also didn't feel like I was rushed out of hospital and the perk of COVID was room service with all my meals instead of getting them myself from the communal eating area!

Hi @TinyPuds

I conceived my 1st beginning of June. Nothing to compare it to, but it’s been fine. I’ve worked from
Home the whole time which I think has made me less tired - I have always felt sorry for pregnant colleagues who fall asleep in meetings... I’ve also saved a fortune on maternity clothes as I sit and work in joggers most of the time!

My hospital allow partners at the birth, but worried it might change if things get worse in Feb/March.

NCT is online which is a bummer the parents might not be able to bond as much

One thing I realised yesterday was that I had no real pictures of me and my bump “out and about”. I wish we had more photos of us visiting places with a bump etc , but those don’t exist. I do realise these are all first world problems though!

Main concerning thing for me is the baby boom - my hospital have 80% more babies booked in for March, and other areas of the UK are similar. Makes me worried about schools in 2025 and nurseries, but we just need to cross that bridge.

I wouldn’t let anything stop me conceiving though - there will always be something which isn’t ideal. Big pluses for me is that my work hasn’t suffered. I’ve still been able to work just as hard, as I can work from home (or in bed!). No leaving early/calling in sick.

Did you give birth in Scotland in the past year? You can tell the government about your experience of maternity care via this survey:
viis.abdn.ac.uk/snapwebhost/s.asp?k=162301883557
Runs until 15th July..