London midwife + hospital visits: risk of Coronavirus?

[WolfMother326]

I'm headed to my booking appointment next week in West London and have another hospital visit scheduled soon after. I'm pretty nervous about the new variant and the infection levels in London rightn ow. Has anyone been infected and thinks they picked it up from their visits, or has it all gone smoothly? Thanks.

no one has had any experiences, good or bad?

I've been into hospital quite a few times in Kent and haven't picked up covid. Just don't touch much and keep sanitising. Bottles of the stuff are everywhere.

Thanks @Opticabbage, that's reassuring.

I have a hospital appointment later this week too (non-maternity) and I'm really worried about picking it up.

When they were booking me in, I told them I'm pregnant and really worried about contact so they booked me in for the first slot of the day to limit my contact with others as much as possible. Could you ask if they can do something similar for you?

Thanks @MsHedgehog, I'll ask for that next time. I hope your appointment goes smoothly. stay safe x

I'm not in London but are in a major city with very high infection rates and I Am 34 weeks with twins - I've been in hospital three times for overnight stays in the last 10 days. Have to say the covid precautions in my hospital seem really good and they are very strict. I've felt very encouraged by what I've seen on the pre and post natal wards as well as in delivery.

My midwife said over 60% of the maternity staff are also vaccinated now x

Thanks so much @ivfbeenbusy, thats really reassuring. Congratulations on your twins!

Haven't picked it up (touch wood!) but having had a few appointments now, I've found it hit and miss with how busy it's been / mask compliance. A few (minority) seem to think a mask goes below the nose or chin 😑

I feel comfortable when it's not been busy - seats well spaced out etc. But when I went for my GD test, it was pretty packed and I was uncomfortable, especially with a couple of ladies not wearing masks properly. After id had the glucose drink I decided I was going to wait the 2 hours in the car rather then in the waiting room and they were fine with it (they understood my reasons).

I've found the midwives and docs all wear masks properly.

I'm also in west London

@planner10

You get a right bollocking in my maternity hospital for not wearing a mask correctly and security on the door won't let you past main reception without sanitising and masking up!

If you come in say with bleeding (which is what I'm in for) you have a covid test in the delivery unit and wait in a side room and have to wear masks at all time especially when staff approach and not allowed up on the ward until you get the result (last night it took about 6 hours to get mine back but I was admitted around 2am)

I work in a hospital in a very high covid area. In 5 days a week through the whole pandemic. I am now about 98% hand sanitiser but I’ve managed to not get covid 😬 so you should be ok.

@ivfbeenbusy yep not allowed in without masking up and sanitising - doesn't stop people from pulling them down once sitting 😑

A large part of the waiting area is not in view of reception so easier for them to get away with it. I have reported it but tbh makes me concerned.

Hopefully now it's lockdown they'll be even stricter at enforcing it

I am an area with very high cases and finding it quite stressful going into the hospital, the one I go to is really not enforcing masks at all as far as I can see. Loads wearing them below the nose or not at all.

@Iwouldlikesomecake

I work in a hospital in a very high covid area. In 5 days a week through the whole pandemic. I am now about 98% hand sanitiser but I’ve managed to not get covid 😬 so you should be ok.

The sanitiser at my hospital smells like tequila! I get terrible flashbacks from the first time I ever got drunk every time I have to come in! 🥴

@ivfbeenbusy yep not allowed in without masking up and sanitising - doesn't stop people from pulling them down once sitting 😑

Ha no chance here - the waiting areas are regularly patrolled and when you get called for your appointment and the nurse/doctor comes to get you from the waiting room wow betide anyone with it below their nose - they are very much named and shamed 😷

@Iwouldlikesomecake this is very reassuring - thank you!

@planner10 terrible to hear this has been your experience, good on you for reporting them. I'd probably confront them and end up getting into a fight! I bought a face shield to wear with my mask for extra protection in case of something like this, but keep having nightmares about the whole thing...

@ivfbeenbusy so glad you've had a better experience - sounds like they're really on top of it where you are!

@planner10 - I'm wondering if we're going to the same West London hospital, as this has been my experience too. Lots of incorrect mask wearing - people removing them to eat (and in one case, sneeze!)... even a couple of staff I've seen with the mask slipping off the nose. I would love to see correct mask wearing enforced, as this is a leading hospital with Covid-research ties! I've complained through feedback forms, and one time actually reported someone to reception who wasn't wearing their mask. It's just so stressful when you're in your third trimester, some of us with underlying health conditions or complicated pregnancies etc, and you're doing everything to protect yourself, your baby and your family in your day-to-day life, and it's the HOSPITAL where you feel the most at risk.

I have a COVID test tomorrow at hospital for my elective section... So far, I've not caught it, though I am in a blind panic/ verging on hyperventilating each time I visit.

Oh @Mimiwish that sounds so hard! You are doing the best you can. I will be sending you good thoughts for your test tomorrow. May I ask which hospital it is you're going to?

@WolfMother326 I feel a bit guilty naming them as I'm sure the majority of staff are doing everything they can and are great - it's Queen Charlotte & Chelsea. I suppose I expected more vigilance than I've seen - (and also I wish they would find a way for people to not need to gather together to make bookings etc) but I also have nothing to compare it to. I thought about switching hospitals but it could be that they all have the same struggles. To be honest, it's actually the public I see violating the rules in the hospital the most... I loved hearing that some hospitals have security enforcing the rules. I think that would make all the difference.

@Mimiwish I've PM'd you ☺️

@planner10 - Replied

@mimiwish and @planner10 - uh oh, that's where I'm headed too. And twice as much as a normal pregnancy, because I have a condition that I need to see an obsetetric physician for. I will be asking people to put their mask over their nose!!

@WolfMother326 I was there today, and it was much better although very busy.

I've had lots of appointments there and how busy it is does vary, and also according to department.

When are you due? If not soon, you may be more comfortable asking for some of the appts to be via phone?

Also for the midwife appts you can see your community midwife and avoid having those in the hospital - I've always found it empty when I went (although only had a couple of appts as I'm also consultant led).

It's not ideal any of the above but there are options