Induction at 38 weeks covid

[badalmond]

Hello,

I've managed to catch covid at 38 weeks and I'm asthmatic. I've been in for foetal monitoring twice since Tuesday and the doctor has decided that it would be best to induce labour tomorrow because I'm so near term (38+3) and asthmatic.

I'm obviously quite shocked as this morning when I arrived the midwives told me they weren't sure why I'd been called in for monitoring since everything seems fine. I do have a nasty cough and thick yellow phlegm, so feeling miserable but nothing drastic.

I called DH after and he asked me why I didn't refuse or challenge the decision. I honestly didn't think to, because I was so surprised. I didn't see the doctor in person, the message was relayed by the midwife, and our discussion centred on practicalities since they wanted me to come in this afternoon and there's nobody to watch the children.

I've texted my independent midwife to see what she thinks but I felt a bit attacked by DH (I think he was just shocked) and also don't relish the idea of going through labour and establishing breastfeeding when I'm not well. On the other hand, if I suddenly got worse and the baby was affected or I had to have an emergency C section that wouldn't be great either.

I have no idea what to do.

Personally I would delay until I was negative and feeling better unless something has shown up on a scan or CTG or they can give some medical reason for it . I say all of this assuming you are double vaccinated.

I'm double vaccinated and boosted.

Overnight I seem to have recovered. No more fever or cough and I have much more energy. However, the baby's movements are still significantly reduced and very weak so I decided to go ahead.

I'm at the hospital now, Foley bulb in, hooked up to foetal heart monitor and hoping that things progress a bit.

Wishing you all the luck in the world @badalmond hope you are both okay?

Good luck OP and baby! Xx

Ohh exciting! Hope things are going well Xx

I was also positive at 38 weeks and was meant to be induced at the time.

They postponed the induction until I tested negative (39 weeks) and honestly, I am so glad they did.

Without scaring you (everyone is different!), I had a hideous four day induction that led to me getting sepsis and an emergency c-section.

Because my body was completely running on empty by that point, my recovery was very slow.

I can't even imagine going through it when stoll positive and feeling rubbish.

I would speak to them about delaying, if possible. Just to give your body a couple of days to recover before you put it through its greatest challenge yet.

Sorry, just read the latest post and seen you're already in!

Good luck; you'll be amazing! I hope things are moving for you and you're resting at every opportunity xxx

I had to be kept in on steroids for getting a bad cold during the third trimester. I was put on the ward for women with serious pregnancy and post labour complications. It's very serious, even if you don't feel your asthma is that bad (like I felt). I ended up in hospital as a week into the cold, I couldn't breathe properly and was having constant asthma attacks because the baby starts to crush your organs a bit. If you aren't breathing well and your sats are low then that has an impact on the baby. It's a big risk for both of you if your breathing takes a turn. Your husband needs to understand that and if he doesn't maybe someone can explain it to him.

I had an (unrelated) induction at 38 weeks too and it did take a couple of days but I ended up delivering naturally.

Really glad that you're in and things are progressing. Good luck!

I'm sorry to hear about your experience FebBabyNo1, that must have been really awful.

Thanks everyone for the replies and encouragement. The Foley bulb fell out a few hours later and I naively assumed that I was a good few cm dilated but it was of course only the start. Baby boy born in the early hours after I slept through most of the labour with a rather excessive epidural.

Although the induction was a lot longer than my previous spontaneous labours, it was also much less intense and DH was able to be with us throughout. In an ideal world I would have spent less time stuck on a bed because of the epidural and drips but it was probably the best choice for us in the end. Although covid symptoms have continued to improve, I'm glad I didn't take the risk on them deteriorating and then having to give birth when exhausted and ill. Baby also ended up being nearly 4kg at 38+5 so happy we didn't wait for him to get any bigger.

@badalmond Congratulations! Enjoy those newborn hugs.

Well done @badalmond and glad to hear the covid symptoms haven't got any worse.
Happy mother's day!