How Covid secure are gynae/maternity units right now? Scared.

[minipilling]

Second month of TTC, and as the Covid news gets worse and worse, I'm worried. I'm 35 with fertility issues so not much time to spare, but I keep thinking it's a really stupid idea to get pregnant at the moment. I go back and forth on it constantly. I also have health vulnerabilities, not ECV, but more of a risk of being quite ill with Covid if I catch it. I'm also more at risk of pregnancy complications. I keep wondering, what if I need extra scans, or I miscarry/have HG and need hospitalisation? Will I be able to avoid catching Covid on hospital visits? I am otherwise semi-shielding so am getting food deliveries and don't go anywhere except for walks.

I read the story today about the young Youtube celebrity who unfortunately is in a forced coma after the induction of her baby, due to Covid. It's just terrifying.

How has everyone's experience been with GP/hospital appointments and safety? I have fabric masks but was thinking of getting an N35 or something if I become pregnant. For those of you who've had babies recently, how safe did the maternity ward feel? Has anyone had a complicated pregnancy and managed it without being exposed to Covid?

Thank you.

By the time you get pregnant and have the baby Covid may well be a distant memory. Most pandemics last around 2 years.

I gave birth in August just as my local area went back into lockdown. This was before it was common place to frequently covid test staff and all staff in the hospital I gave birth had a covid test the week before I had my little one.
I was given a covid test before being admitted to the ward. I had a side room and if I was in my room I didn't have to wear a mask but whenever I left the room I did. All staff wore masks and ppe, everything was wipes down after use - blood pressure cuffs/thermometers etc. At my hospital they had 8-8 visitation which was good but this is very hospital dependent.

I had all my midwife appointments at the gp practice and she wore mask and ppe. The waiting room was reduced to 3 chairs that you were allowed to sit on and you have to wait for the receptionist to buzz you in.

I have nurses and hv in my home most weeks to check on me and my baby (due to personal circumstances this isn't typical). My nurse said she is being tested twice a week I think this is the case for all staff.

They have learnt a lot over the last year about handling covid and pregnancy and other issues. I can't tell you whether it would be the right decision for you. I was glad that we were already pregnant when it started but I don't think it would have made me stop ttc if I wasn't already pregnant.

Before getting pregnant I had a gp appointment to discuss my risk factors and pregnancy, do you think that would help you weigh up the pros and cons?

I’m currently 24 weeks, only required routine midwife visits and had 3 US scans at hospital. Everything felt fairly safe, masks worn by all, distancing whenever possible, good hand hygiene. I feel more exposed at work as I have to work in close contact with colleagues for longer periods of time. But if you are needing hospitalised for any reason during pregnancy I would share your concerns about increased exposure.

We deliberated about TTC during the pandemic but after putting things on hold for 5 months decided to go ahead. I figured that the risk to baby’s health of my being a year older was fairly comparable to the increased risk to then due to Covid. I also expected the pandemic to be much closer to finished by the time I am due, though now looking unlikely! We have a two year old and I didn’t want Covid to force us to have a bigger age gap than we wanted.

I had twins last week at a very large hospital which is maxed out with covid patients. I've been high risk the entire pregnancy so lots of appointments and admitted several times for overnight stays

My experience was brilliant

Maternity and gynaecology is all now in a separate building - no shared entrances/corridors etc with a&e or other wards. Security on entrance ensures everyone coming in has a mask on and using hand sanitizer. Woe betide anyone caught not wearing mask correctly as they get a right bollocking

The last scan I had screen had gone up in the scanning rooms - presumably to allow partners to come to scans - previously hadn't been allowed anyone to attend

I was admitted several times prior to birth due to heavy bleeding. On arrival in the delivery suite you get covid tested. Not allowed to be moved to the ward until confirmation of a negative test

I'd say by now all staff have had the first dose of vaccine (it was at 60% 3 weeks ago). Masks are worn by everyone and you put yours on when staff approach the bed. All staff take home covid tests 2-3 days per week. Staffing levels fine

I had an emergency c section in the end. DH allowed 1 hour with me afterward and that's it. No visiting hours at all (my twins were in NICU which has more visiting hours though ).

Up on the ward any covid positive patients are kept on their own separate ward with separate staff

I've had three visits to the EPU with this pregnancy, a couple of regular midwife visits, and 2 scans in the antenatal department. Honestly? The only difference I noticed was that masks are ALWAYS worn by the staff and patients, and the waiting rooms are far less crowded. I felt safe at all times, that being said....I am still undecided about whether or not I will have a home birth, I will decide closer to the time and based on how things are with the pandemic then. I wouldn't want to give birth in hospital if there's any chance of giving birth in some tiny side room or some such while waiting for covid test results, partner not with me. Nope! (It helps that I've had a home birth before though).

Thank you for your experiences, it really helps to hear. I'm aware I probably won't get pregnant right away, but there's always a chance I might and then I'd wonder what to do. Congrats on the babies @Superscientist and @ivfbeenbusy x

I’m a high risk pregnancy and it is different during the pandemic, my first baby was born last January and In the pregnancy I had loads of in person visits as that was high risk too! I have less now and more by telephone. Over all even though it’s a bit scary it’s been fine. Really you can only control yourself by distancing and hand washing. I’m not due till may but will likely have been offered the vaccine by then as I’m a health worker though currently working from home due to my personal risk. I think when you are pregnant, you just get on with things as best you can really 😂