What are pregnant women meant to do after July 19th?

[Narwhalsh]

Just that really. If you don’t have both doses of vaccine are you planning on getting on with life as much as you can or are you planning on sticking with a more restricted lifestyle? And if you do have both doses, do you still feel vulnerable?

Are pregnant women still classified as clinically vulnerable?

I’m nearly 12 weeks, unvaccinated. I didn’t want to have the vaccine till after I had the baby but I can’t see pregnant women have much choice now. Once I’ve got it I’ll just hope for the best.

I don't have the vaccine not planning on getting it even after pregnancy and I can't wait for things to get back to normal. I don't have any fears of covid etc .

Is anyone who is pregnant but not getting vaccinated not worried about the increased risk of stillbirth?
Especially if you have to go in to hospital to give birth and then you contract covid there?
I'd much rather have the vaccine before hand.

I’m due my second vaccine at the end of July.
Typically we are house sitting for my sister in Devon the week after the rules relax. And at the start of school holidays. Slightly anxious about crowds etc, but just plan to be sensible. Wear my mask in shops, be outside, wash hands etc.
My husband is a teacher and my eldest at nursery/starting school when I am due, so I can’t cut myself off totally.
I lateral flow test 2x a week and plan to continue doing that. I don’t think it will go away just like that - and whilst I’m not paranoid, I am going to be careful and make sensible choices about being indoors.

I'm 31 weeks and not vaccinated. Fortunately not having to go into a workplace as I've been working from home. I'll be continuing to wear masks in shops and public transport etc & will be cautious until baby is here.

@Nat4392

Getting on with life as normal! Granted I’ve just had my baby but even when pregnant I had the same opinion. Pregnant people don’t hide at home every winter when the flu resurfaces.

Agreed !

I’m not pregnant but was last year, pre vaccine and pre masks. I’d do the same now if I were pregnant as I did then and that was to continue my life as normal as possible.

I'm 33 weeks, not vaccinated and don't plan to be, have lived my life as normal as can be throughout the pandemic, I am WFH tho however still go out and about when I need to, shopping/socialising etc which won't change.

Have managed to go all this time without so much as needing a COVID test.

In terms of mask wearing etc, I wear masks when I absolutely have to, however if I ever have any problems breathing or get hot and sweaty I remove it.

But let me guess, I'm crazy for living my life this way right ? 🙄

I'm avoiding going anywhere indoors that is crowded, so no cinema or restaurants for me. I am 32 weeks so don't have long to go. I have been signed off sick so am home anyway at the moment, I was previously working in healthcare in a patient facing role. I do not think we will go into lockdown again as so many are double vaccinated now but I am concerned that hospital visiting restrictions may get tighter. I have had one vaccination and hope to have the next in a few weeks time. I don't find wearing a mask comfortable by any means especially in the warm weather but I had to wear one for 8 hours at work to protect customers even though many of them couldn't afford me the same courtesy (not all of them were exempt) so will continue to do so in crowded places.

Just goes to show we are all different in how we assess risk and there is no right or wrong answer. We are all just trying to do our best.

Thank you @InTheNightWeWillWish that’s really useful to know. I will ask around locally if there are any walk in places.

@Horehound

Were pregnant people ever classed as vulnerable?! I'm 19 weeks with one dose of vaccine and have out and about as normal. 🤷

Maybe not classed as 'vulnerable'. But there are risks to be aware of and weigh up.

It is known that there is an increased risk of becoming seriously unwell with covid in the later stages of pregnancy. Stillbirth and premature birth are both twice as likely to happen if you catch covid.

Source:
www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/coronavirus-covid-19-pregnancy-and-womens-health/covid-19-vaccines-and-pregnancy/covid-19-vaccines-pregnancy-and-breastfeeding/

I'm in the third trimester of pregnancy. Even with both vaccines (second due imminently) I feel more comfortable restricting my activities until baby is born. I'll still be socialising but predominantly outdoors. No public transport or eating indoors, etc.

Carrying on as normal here, using the tube to get to work as a nanny in central London.

Will be double vaxxed by end of July. 30 weeks pregnant and another five weeks to go before maternity leave. Been at the pub tonight for football and will go again on Sunday.

Can’t be doing with being anxious about it at all. Certainly don’t plan on hiding away as a clinically vulnerable person when I am certainly not. There is a vaccine!

I'm 22 weeks unvaccinated I'm not getting a jab til after baby arrives. I will just stay in and wear a mask when i do go out.

I'm nearly 21 weeks. Not vaccinated yet- waiting until after baby

I'm scared as hell. As soon as they can. Everyone will stop wearing masks.
Everyone will stop caring and just cause me even more stress.

In shops at the moment no one social distances. So it's going to get worse with no masks when people are breathing down my neck!!!!
But my mental health has deteriorated MASSIVELY since beginning of COVID and I can't keep myself locked in the house any longer as I'm close to breaking down.....

my mother figure is petrified too. She has problems with her lungs and health and has been told by doctors that if she catches COVID she will die. she works in a shop- so now because people won't have to wear masks soon- she is going to be at risk every single day because it will be OTHER PEOPLES CHOICE not to wear a mask and put HER LIFE in danger!!!
Then that means I won't be able to see her as I would be at risk too

I just want the masks and social distancing to stay a while

I mean this calmly and kindly buy you have to get on with it. We had pregnant teachers in school unaccounted at over 28 weeks. Get your vaccine if you can and live a big before baby arrives.

Also doctors shouldn't be telling people they "will die" if they get covid. No one knows. They may be at increased risk of becoming seriously ill, but you can't guarantee death like that.

You don't need to wait until 19th to be concerned, rates are already so high in so many places across the UK.
Feel so grateful to be getting my 2nd vaccine next week, about 7 weeks after my first so I will be fully protected (as much as possible anyway) by the third trimester.
I still won't be going to any concerns or getting on a plane but I don't really feel like doing those things anyway! Will still wear a mask on the bus, in the supermarket etc. It's just common courtesy to those more vulnerable than me.

I mean the media has done a lovely job of spreading the fear and anxiety here…

I think there’s a lot of unnecessary handwringing personally.

@Hercisback

I mean this calmly and kindly buy you have to get on with it. We had pregnant teachers in school unaccounted at over 28 weeks. Get your vaccine if you can and live a big before baby arrives.

I’m a teacher and I stopped working last week at 36 weeks, my class have had 3 positive cases in the last few weeks and ended up isolating. I was advised by two midwives and a consultant not to get the vaccine so it’s not always as straightforward as ‘get the vaccine’. I was more than prepared to get it and surprised at their advice to get honest!

@PurpleFlower1983 were there specific (personal) medical reasons you were advised against it? Otherwise isn’t that advice going against the RCOG guidance?

I’m 26 weeks and have had one dose. My second dose is in 2 weeks time.

I’m really unsure, and I wish there was more guidance!

From what I gather, pregnant women are no more likely to catch than other people, but may face more complications. You are at more risk if you are overweight, have other health conditions or are black or from an ethnic minority.

I don’t fall into any of the high risk factors, so I think I will still go out and do things. I want to enjoy the summer and my last few months of freedom. I’m currently wfh but will be returning to the office soon, so I may ask to wfh most days and just come in a bit.

Obviously when I’m out I’ll wear my mask in crowded places, wash my hands regularly, stay away from people and sanitise as normal.

I worry that I’m being too blasé but looking at the facts I do feel like my risk is low. My mental health has taken a hit with all the lockdowns so I really want to try to enjoy myself now.

i was pregnant with DD during the first lockdown and pregnant again now. I can't wait for 19th and going back to normal (although given the footie and resultant celebratory scenes, i think the 19th is a huge red herring and "normality" will happen from now - or at least Sunday if they win).

no masks, no social distancing - cannot wait. i am not scared of covid at all.

I’m 34 weeks and can’t wait for restrictions to be lifted. Wearing a mask is becoming increasingly uncomfortable and I imagine unbearable once the weather heats up! I’m not vaccinated either and won’t be for some time.
Everyone will feel different about it, so if you want to continue to shield and wear a mask etc.then that’s ok. Likewise, for others who don’t wish to do that anymore, that’s ok too x

Help Needed!

I’m looking for maternity pants but I under bump just fall down and over bump are too big. Any suggestions from anyone with experience. This is my first pregnancy and I haven’t got a clue but getting desperate now.

@Noexperience you should probably start your own thread but perhaps try m&s?