Due to give birth any day and my partner has Norovirus

[hmorgan]

I am 40 + 3 weeks pregnant. I’m feeling very uncomfortable (acid reflux, aches, extreme insomnia, claustrophobic in my own body).

I was going to be induced yesterday but I postponed as my partner is very unwell…

I’m trying to weigh up my options.

1. Should I stay at home with him, even though that increases the risk of me catching Norovirus?

1. If I catch Norovirus, will I be able to have skin to skin with the baby when they’re born?

1. Would it be irresponsible for my partner to come to hospital with me and risk spreading Norovirus? Would a mask/gloves be sufficient protection?

1. Do I keep postponing the induction even though I’m feeling intensely uncomfortable?

This is my first baby and I’m feeling very overwhelmed. Any advice or thoughts would be much appreciated!

Be aware that onset of labour can also have diarrhoea and vomiting. It was the first sign of labour for me- had to sit on the loo for a while with a bucket. So don't panic if you have that, it doesn't necessarily mean you have noro.

She's not high risk.

Yes. Information given more then 4 hours after I made the comment you have quoted.

My DH contracted Noravirus around my due date. He was severely unwell and ended up in hospital (collapsed and I couldn’t rouse him so and no choice but to call an ambulance. Severe low blood pressure, dehydration and an abnormal heart trace - he ended up in isolation on a cardiac ward). I was told to prepare for him not being at the birth as he was so poorly and would need to be at least 48 hours free of norovirus. I stayed with family whilst other family member’s disinfected our entire house. It was worrying, massively upsetting as I wasn’t allowed to visit him in hospital either. But all the medical advice for me was not to take any risk catching it and put other plans for the getting to the hospital and giving birth without DH being there. Thankfully I went over due and DH improved so in the end it was a happy outcome of us all back together. But no way would the hospital have let him anywhere near even if he had been well enough.

I would only postpone induction for a few more days max. Even if you are low risk, it’s a lot riskier to leave it until nearer 42 weeks as the placenta may lose some functionality by then. That’s what happened to me.

If your 40 plus 3
Does your midwife know this
I was 40 plus 3 ,went to a regular midwife appointment and midwife flipped out and started ringing round to get me booked in the same day .
It's a risk leaving baby that long .
I ended up going for scans at the hospital every day at the end .
Personally I'd get baby out asap ,while you are symptom free
The last thing you want is to go in to labour at the same time as your vomiting
Get baby out asap

I wouldn't be happy postponing more than + 7 as the placenta deteriorates quickly, particularly if you are older (not sure if you are)

Thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences and expertise, I’m really grateful. My partner became ill nearly 48 hours ago, so it seems I’ve hopefully come away unscathed (he isolated in our second bedroom). I think on the balance of your advice, I’ll see if I can rebook the induction for Tuesday. I’ve got a midwifery appointment on Monday, so if they have any worries, that plan can be reviewed. But hopefully by Tuesday my partner will be on the mend and by the time I deliver he’ll have been symptom-free for 48 hours

It would be very irresponsible for your partner to enter a hospital with Norovirus! There are signs on all entrances where I work reiterating not to enter. You also should
not put off your induction because of it either. I would be finding a different birth partner and getting out of contact with your partner as soon as possible for everyone’s safety.

Totally agree! Dd1 had dgd at 41 weeks - induction took 2 days and she was only 6 and a half pounds. She said her placenta was beginning to calcify!

I'm not sure why everybody is in such a rush to be induced, it massively increases your risk of complications and interventions, as well as being more painful.If you were 41+3 I would say yes probably don't delay, but you've only just missed your due date. I'd cancel any thoughts of being induced and then hopefully when you naturally go into labour within the next few days, husband is 48 hours clear and can be by your side. I know how uncomfortable you are, but you could be in labour naturally tomorrow for all you know

I contracted Norovirus and vomited so much it sent me into early Labour. Baby had to go to NICU and I was extremely unwell. I don’t recommend going anywhere near him!! He will be better in a few days and you will have a slightly wobbly but lovely birthing partner. Good luck.

That's not true. Induction has risks and benefits and very much depends on the pregnancy, mother, baby and circumstances. It is strongly recommended from due date in women over 40 for example, and is well evidenced.

As your low risk id wait it out i absolutely couldn't imagine coming down with norovirus and being in labour or needing a section/episiotomy with it either OUCH ! You've gone this long you can do another few days unless baby has other plans.

40+3 sounds early for a routine induction of labour. Nice guidelines talk about from 41 weeks onwards and Bristol for example schedule women in at 41+5. Obviously the OP could go into labour spontaneously at any point.

I wouldn't go for an induction if you don't need to, I'd wait to see if labour starts spontaneously

Don’t take your ill partner into a hospital with cancer patients and other immunocompromised people including new born babies. Yes it sucks to miss the moment but better to bring home a healthy living baby. I’ve had two loses and nothing is low risk.

Norovirus is most contagious for 48 hours after the last symptoms, but it continues to be contagious (just less so) for another two weeks. I don't want to scare you, but it would be sensible to still take whatever precautions you can in the circumstances for that period. Also ask him deep clean the bathrooms etc. and wash the bedding while you're away (which I know is a tough ask of someone who I am sure wants to rest after being so ill). Good luck; if you've not had it yet and you stay away from him until you go into hospital then I bet you won't come down with it before the birth.

40+3 days not 3 weeks.

This is normal and induction wouldn't be advised unless requested at this stage, especially as due dates are not always accurate. Stop scaring people. If you mean 40 + 3 weeks tho you'd be right.

Are the hospital saying you can’t have the induction in case you are incubating the virus and might become ill soon? Or are you just choosing not to induce until DH is better? If it’s the latter honestly I would just go in and get your induction. You are obviously uncomfortable and you and baby will be safer in hospital away from DH. The risk of you catching it is more important that DH not getting to be there. If you stay home, you risk catching it and going into labour spontaneously which would be hellish.
You’ll need a different birth partner obviously if DH isn’t 48 hour symptom free by the time you give birth.

To be fair I also initially read this is as 40+3 weeks!

You need to speak with your midwife - you need to think of your health and the baby first.

I would wait a few more days. Your partner may have recovered by then, and you might go into labour naturally. You’re not hugely overdue and inductions are not great, if you can avoid one I would (and did second time around). Obviously you will be monitored and if there are any health concerns for you or baby then you can rethink your options.

Horrible situation but you don’t need to be induced yet. My first was born at 40+15! Stay where you are until your husband can be with you for the birth and you can both go home with the baby as planned. Meanwhile pray you haven’t caught it. What a shame, I really feel for you 💐

If there isn’t a medical reason to be induced (other than being overdue) I’d wait it out. I was induced around 43 weeks, remember induction is a choice, you don’t have to do it. Good luck, I hope all goes well and your hubby feels better soon!