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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Shielding at 28 weeks

12 replies

MamaMurray90 · 05/07/2021 19:10

Hi everyone, Boris' latest announcement failed, yet again, to mention us pregnant women when it came to working from home. As it stands those that are beyond 28 weeks and cannot socially distance should work from home. However from 19/07 apparently no one needs to work from home. The issue with this is most of the obviously vulnerable people have been vaccinated but I don't think they've considered pregnant women, a lot of whom haven't yet been vaccinated. Does anyone know how the easing of restrictions will affect us?

OP posts:
Leo090813 · 05/07/2021 19:18

@MamaMurray90

Hi everyone, Boris' latest announcement failed, yet again, to mention us pregnant women when it came to working from home. As it stands those that are beyond 28 weeks and cannot socially distance should work from home. However from 19/07 apparently no one needs to work from home. The issue with this is most of the obviously vulnerable people have been vaccinated but I don't think they've considered pregnant women, a lot of whom haven't yet been vaccinated. Does anyone know how the easing of restrictions will affect us?
I posted a similar thread earlier today. Most the responses were that it'll be back to normal as pregnant women have been offered the vaccine. I will be postponing mine until baby is born, so I will still like to WFH. So I'm hoping there will be some guidance on this soon x
Cap89 · 05/07/2021 19:23

The vast majority of pregnant women can now be vaccinated (all over 18s have been invited) and have been able to be for a while. I won’t quite have had my second jab by the 19th but will have it shortly after.

I am assuming this is going to be left to individual companies to work out with their employees. I know the 28 weeks guidance has already been interpreted very differently by different employers. From what I’ve read it’s really not been a set in stone thing for a long time.

I’d suggest getting vaccinated if you haven’t already and talking to your employer about the possibility of working from home after 28 weeks.

It was also never advice to fully shield after 28 weeks (unless otherwise vulnerable), just to work from home if you could.

Original poster
MamaMurray90 · 05/07/2021 20:30

It was definitely recommended you work from home from 28 weeks where you can't socially distance as per the latest update on gov.uk.

What was never recommended was the vaccine for pregnant women. I trawled the internet and whilst a few said they "recommend pregnant women are OFFERED the vaccine" none actually recommended it. Which just doesn't sit right with me. I'm consultant led and I've tirelessly asked whether I should be vaccinated and they said it's entirely my decision (pity I didn't study virology Hmm).
If you read up on the flu jab and whooping cough the language used is that they recommend it, I can't find a single article that out and out recommends the COVID vaccination while pregnant, I presumably because there's simply not enough data on it. So I will wait til little ones here. Of course it's entirely up to Mom though and any informed decision is the right one IMO.

OP posts:
SouthwestSis · 05/07/2021 20:47

For any unvaccinated or those with just one jab I would definitely push to have the right to work from home if you work in the same room as others or have to use public transport to get to work. The risk of covid in the third trimester will not suddenly disappear at the end of July! Glad I've had at least one of my jabs and will be getting the next one next week

baldafrique · 05/07/2021 20:50

Employers should follow the RCOG guidance until they change it

baldafrique · 05/07/2021 20:58

My workplace have agreed that I can still WFH from next week (28 weeks). We didnt even discuss my vaccination status.

baldafrique · 05/07/2021 20:58

(Had one vaccine in Jan before I found out I was pregnant and planning to have the other one after baby arrives in October)

nether · 05/07/2021 20:59

Pregnant women were only ever required to shield if they had certain cardiac conditions

The precautionary post-shield guidance does permit attendance at covid-safe workplaces, so today's announcement doesn't change much.

But the CEV and other vulnerable didn't find much to welcome in the announcement- it's not freedom, it's restriction - unless people follow Whitty's advice and wear masks indoors (and on public transport). Because masks protect other people, and if others stop giving that protection, the vulnerable are stuffed

myfuckingfreezer · 05/07/2021 21:33

I've tirelessly asked whether I should be vaccinated and they said it's entirely my decision

Isn't that what's been said about and to everyone?

MissChanandlerBong90 · 06/07/2021 07:29

As far as I can see the government guidance is that employers need to ensure pregnant women can adhere to any active SD guidance. And there won’t be any from 19 July.

baldafrique · 06/07/2021 07:50

The increased risks of catching COVID in third trimester still stand. There is more need to WFH now given that noone will be social distancing any more.

Rosieposy89 · 06/07/2021 09:56

My employer has agreed I can wfh until mat leave. i've had one vaccine so far at 24 weeks. I don't think its fair to expect a doctor to make a decision for you about the vaccine, as it is personal choice. The risks of covid in third trimester are known - you can only make a decision based on this not hypothetical risks. From 19th July I will not be going anywhere if I can avoid it. Lack of social distancing makes it too risky

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