Covid whilst pregnant/venting.

[LuluF91]

Hi,

I just need to vent and maby have someone talk some sense into me?! I'm 26 weeks pregnant and have caught covid from the workplace (work in healthcare), I know this was bound to happen sooner or later but not only am I hit with the symptoms but massive anxiety too!! I am terrified to go back to work at this point as I literally cannot avoid direct patient contact and we are in an situation where nearly half of my patients are positive.

I've gone through alot to have this baby, I've been pre-warned I may have a small baby and need growth scans depending on my next appointment and I'm worried sick this will have affected size due to me not eating well. I'm functional but bothered with the cough, tiredness and shortness of breath which is definitley making me consider putting in a sick line for next week. Is this cowardly of me? Staff shortages are huge as it is right now but I'm hoping if I told them this weekend it would give time to cover.

Sorry if that's rambling...help? :(

Have you completed your isolation and still unwell? Call in sick if so. Obviously you can't attend work if you're still isolating.

Are you vaccinated? Have you let your midwife/care team know you're positive and symptomatic?

Do you have a pregnancy risk assessment in place at work?

My post is regarding the end of next week when I'm out of isolation.

Double vaccinated and yes I've informed my midwife but didn't really have any Input from them.

My risk assessment needs to be reviewed due to the rapid outbreak, I intend on trying to get hold of management this weekend or next Monday to look at this.

You should probably see how you are next week before planning to be off the following week. Obviously if you aren’t well enough to go back you need to stay off, but it seems a bit premature to be deciding that a week in advance. If I was your line manager I would be raising an eyebrow at that to be honest

Not sure it's clear that I'm talking about next weekend. And I'm trying to decide in advance as it would be more likely to get cover. But that's fair enough. Although it's not 100% that I'm unwell, it's the contact which positive patients that concerns me more.

I suppose I'll feel better when my manager does my risk assessment again. I did ask for it to be looked at last Friday but it wasn't done as work is crazy and now I'm positive (along with many others)

I'd say if you're still feeling ill by Tuesday or Wednesday, let them know you're unlikely to be well enough for the weekend - that'll give them plenty of time to sort out staffing.

The risk assessment issue is, if anything, more concerning - you have a right to expect reasonable risk management, especially if your pregnancy isn't straightforward. Maybe contact Occupational Health about it on Monday, and speak with your GP and midwife about your concerns - they may recommend getting signed off work for a bit or recommend you get to move to different duties.

For now, just focus on resting and recovering. Get well soon!

I'm triple vaccinated and on day 13 of covid. Still getting positive on the lateral flows and developed a chest infection. Just set how you are I'd say as clearly we're all going to have different outcomes. I'm worried about potential issues caused by this as I'm 30+2 now, baby was already on 15th centile so hopefully this won't drop as I worry about iugr caused by placenta issues from my having covid. Look after yourself, it's hard as you say there are staff shortages but you'll regret it if something happens by going back when you're not fully well