When do I stop going to supermarket?

[xxxIntergalacticxxx]

More restrictions in supermarket today, already knew about the masks and already wore one, but wasn’t aware of the new rules on limiting people. Usually go with partner as my food aversions are so unpredictable I’ve just been walking around until I find something that doesn’t make me want to vomit.. and he does the heavy lifting as we buy in bulk for economic reasons. However today security stopped us on our way in and said if we were together we couldn’t shop, but then I mentioned he was there because I can’t lift the heavy stuff due to pregnancy and security told me pregnant women were exempt from the one person rule. Don’t know whether that’s a blanket exemption in all supermarkets or just Tesco. But it did get me thinking, I’m 21 weeks pregnant now, when should I stop going to these supermarkets? Not having experienced this level of virus while pregnant before. Guidance has probably changed since last March. Not much info on the web. Any ideas?

Erm. Now?

I’m not pregnant and I don’t go to the supermarket. Better to avoid getting ill and try to shop online

Hi OP I stopped going at 28 weeks and now I barely leave the house it's dull and depressing 🙄but needs must I don't want to catch this now at 33 weeks!

I haven’t done a food shop in an actual shop since March last year when I was sent home from work at 28 weeks pregnant. We’ve moved to a monthly delivery pass - it’s great!! Pandemic aside, I’m wondering why I ever trailed round a supermarket before... saves money too as no temptations at the end of aisles etc!

I'm 38 weeks and I'm still going to the supermarket. I think its up to you!

I'm going to stop at 28 weeks to stay safer in my last trimester.

I understand about the virus but not about the lifting. If you have a second child you do realise you will regularly be lifting a 20lb+ toddler.

I've stopped now a couple of weeks off due date. Was teaching in a primary school and toddler was at nursery so supermarket seemed fairly low risk in the grand scheme of things.

Good point, what are you buying that is that heavy?

In terms of going out, it's really up to you to assess how much risk you're happy to take. There's not a one size fits all answer.

I'm planning to isolate at home from 38 weeks but before that will be pretty much going on as normal (obviously following social distancing rules etc)

I wouldn’t worry about lifting but I do worry about the virus. I’m 22 weeks and won’t go to a supermarket anymore. This new variant is so contagious that it’s not worth the risk. I always seem to get a delivery slot when I need one.

We buy drinks in bulk boxes, quite a few of them as we infrequently visit the shops, so too heavy and bulky, different to carrying a small child!

Just send dp.

I'm just into third trimester and DH has started going out instead of me. We both had covid back in October so hoping we still have a bit of immunity but it's not worth the risk to me. It sucked the first time, definitely don't want it again now I'm even further along!

Haven't been to the supermarket in 7 months because I had a baby in 2020 and now 24 weeks with a new baby
My dh goes to the supermarket for us I also don't go to town or anything

Only go to midwife appointments and essential growth scans from 28 weeks

I’ve stopped going now too. I’m nearly 36 weeks and only just stopped going as I just can’t carry the heavy items. We buy bottled water and bulk juices too. There’s also the potatoes, veg and fruit and meat which weighs a ton so not sure what others buy but our shopping is always heavy!

I’m 20 wks. I’m still nipping into supermarket for the odd top up although most of our shopping is delivered. I’m still working in a hospital though so supermarket doesn’t seem particularly risky. I’ll be working from home from 28 wks and will probably try and limit trips out at that point.

I’m 22 weeks and still plan on going. I’m also still working, in a much higher risk environment (frontline healthcare) so the supermarket seems insignificant in comparison. I’m still going to go for my sanity more than anything! Do whatever you feel comfortable with OP, there’s no way I’m hiding at home throughout my entire third trimester.

I'm 36 weeks and still going. Only during quiet times while everyone's at work, and I'm keeping my distance from people as much as possible. It's the only place I go apart from antenatal appointments so I reckon I'm not exposing myself to much risk. If my partner went out for me and caught covid he'd probably give it to me anyway so I don't see much benefit in sending him.

Shop online/get your partner to shop/stop buying in bulk

If you can't do it alone, send DP. People shopping in 2s drives me nuts, often they get separated and on opposite sides of the aisles which just seems more risky for others.

Yeah as another poster said its up to you. I feel safe enough doing the weekly shop and I just keep a trolley and a lot of bags so no bag gets too heavy, then hubby carries all the stuff into the house. But if you dont feel comfortable then stop.

I’ve avoided going anywhere since around October, when things started to get bad again. So around 14 weeks. I mean I still go for walks and in the car, but trips to the supermarket were only when it was essential.

The one and only time I did go somewhere was to meet a friend to see some Christmas lights and then have some food. That was the only social interaction I had since September...and then I got a notification on the track and trace app to self isolate for 10 days! Having been exposed to someone with covid the only time I saw someone other than DH was terrifying so I stopped going to supermarkets completely since December.

I haven’t been going to supermarkets but mainly due to the one person rule, since if DP got this more infectious variant there he’d probably give it to me anyway. Still, transmission wouldn’t be a total given so where possible it makes more sense for someone else to go. Unfortunately we can’t often get orders.

Massively sympathise with the food aversions, I now have Gestational diabetes dictating to me as well so it’s getting harder!

I am avoiding what exposure I can, but since this is a high risk pregnancy and I have been in and out of the hospital and clinics a lot, there is still a pretty high level of exposure there. Nothing I can do about that.

You can go to a normal supermarket and buy smaller less heavy things if that would help.

I'm 24 weeks and I still go- albeit because I can't always (or even often) manage to get a supermarket delivery slot. Luckily our local co op aren't doing the 1 person per family unit thing, they just limit how many people are inside at one time, so I take my two oldest sons for the lifting. We mask up and I have a death glare for anyone who looks like they might get too close.

When my belly gets too heavy I won't go at all and my partner will have to do it all, but while I'm able I still want to do my part. My partner is way too sensible when doing shopping! I want treats, not just bread, milk, fruit, veggies etc.

The majority of people I see while out shopping are being sensible, distancing, wearing their masks, being very polite with each other when it comes to stepping aside to let others pass etc, so that's a big part of why I feel safe enough to go.

That being said, I think we will be 100% self-isolating from 36 weeks onward, not wanting to tempt fate to give us covid just before I have to give birth.

In answer to your question, OP, I think you should stop going when your gut instinct says stop going, I'm a big fan of trusting one's gut instinct! Mine has yet to let me down.

I'm 36 weeks and still go once a week at quiet times. Like a few have said if my partner goes and catches it I'll only get it anyway and he works in a pharmacy so that's higher risk than supermarket. If I'm going I can make sure I sanitize regularly and distance from people, I feel more in control of the risk. Do what feels right for you.