Our current hospital policy requires me to have a rapid covid test when admitted to the hospital and if it comes back positive then my husband is unable to come with me.
I am terrified this is going to happen and I will have to do this alone. Things have opened up around us and we are having record cases of positives everyday. What worries me the most is that so many people I know have tested positive over and over again with no symptoms. My neighbor has tested positive for almost 2 months now (weekly tests) with no symptoms.
It's everywhere around us, preschools around us are having the majority of the staff testing positive (and they have been very very careful). They have been open the entire time and are just getting their first known case and having to shut down.
We have been and are being careful but having to return to work in person (taking as little risk as possible) has caused our risk to go up slightly. I plan to completely quarantine my family 3 weeks prior to birth but I worry it's not enough. I've been reading about so many people testing positive for weeks/months after that I worry no matter what I do there is a good chance I will test positive.
I am going to try for a vbac but already had to decline a doula due to only being allowed one support person and now the thought of having to give birth without my husband there is terrifying. And on top of that I will be moved to a different area of the hospital with crappy rooms and limited staff to limit exposure.
Post by tiptoetulips on Jul 2, 2020 6:11:05 GMT -5
Omg that’s horrible. I have to have it done at 39 weeks but Dh can come to the hospital regardless of results. Could your OB have you tested early just to see like your neighbor? It sounds like you’re doing all you can.
I feel for you - I'm due in two weeks and am terrified that an Independence Day surge will hit around the time I deliver, because there are too many dumb and selfish people who don't want to maintain responsible social distancing and mask wearing
It sounds like you are doing everything you can. It is so tough, this virus does not give a single eff and can strike at any time.
I'm scheduled to be induced on 7/17, and will have a "regular" COVID test 2-3 days prior to that if I don't go into labor earlier. Do you have any option of getting tested earlier - than the rapid one when you arrive at the hospital?
Post by jennistarr1 on Jul 2, 2020 18:16:03 GMT -5
You have touched on a huge fear that I stopped bringing up because people told me it's irrational
I believe New York was the one state that banned all visitors even a support person but that was short lived recognizing the importance of it...so I guess one can hope the policy will change
I would go so far as to ask if there are hospital approved doulas that would be allowed if husband can't (they don't live on same house and perhaps might be tested as regular employee)
Also, any chance you have a friend that works at hospital that could step in instead? Someone offered this to me and the offer alone eased my mind
Post by wanderingback on Jul 3, 2020 7:59:40 GMT -5
Hi, I randomly clicked over here, hope it’s ok that I answer....
I know easier said than done but rationally speaking statistics are on your side actually. The vast vast vast majority of people do not test positive. Of course the people you hear about testing positive are on your mind, but most people test negative.
I’ve been working with covid pos patients for months now and when I tested I was negative. At one point almost all the people at our healthcare center tested and only 2 who were asymptomatic came back positive (I ordered the tests so I got the results) and that was among dozens upon dozens of people during the peak of our surge among people dealing with the public and testing Covid patients.
As far as practical things, obviously wear a mask when you go out. Face shields/eye coverings (even glasses) are also helpful. Wash your hands a lot and absolutely never touch your face. Otherwise I don’t think you need to do anything extra for precautions. if you do test positive you can clarify with your hospital that you won’t be able to have a support person if you test positive. That really doesn’t even make sense from a medical standpoint. Where we deliver our patients they quickly changed their policy and everyone was allowed 1 support person. The support person had to test negative and if they were positive then you could pick someone else. I would ask about doulas as well. Obviously not the same but they also set up iPads for patients/family.
But again numbers are absolute on your side that you won’t test positive so I wish you the best.
Post by jennysmitten on Jul 4, 2020 9:02:12 GMT -5
This is absolutely not an irrational fear and one I struggled with until I delivered. Just do the best you can. Sending you, and everyone else dealing with, this hugs.