Help im due in 2 days, and man has the flu [delivery unit] [labor and delivery]
Hello everyone. I got by on Thursday, December just two days away! Yesterday my husband came down with the flu. He has a temperature and the general crappy feeling. Im worried about a few things now. What would happen if I happened to go into labor any day now and he is sick with the flu? Is he still allowed in the labor and delivery unit? Im afraid he will the baby and sick patients. I have an appointment tomorrow Obstetrics and he wants to come. There was a sign that the last time telling people not to come in when they are sick with the flu because they do not want patients at risk. Heres the worst Senario now . What if he gives me the flu just in time for me to bear. He is always passing me by his cold ect . Will all this difficult. Labour looks hard enough, but with the flu on top of it! Will they let me hold him when the baby is born? I do not know if anyone knows this, but please reply because I am really worried about.
Reply:I hope that you don't go into labor while he is sick. If you do get sick and do go into labor, there are meds that you will get in your IV. I got the stomach flu with my last pregnancy. I went to the ER because I knew that I was dehydrated. Then ended up inducing me, 10 days early. It was a hard labor, but the meds really helped to stop the diarrhea and vomitting. Good luck! I hope that you and your husband are well before you go into labor or get induced!!! :wave:
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Garrett Evan
Feb. 9th
8 lbs. 6.5 oz.
Reply:Hi, this is Besafe20's husband, or DH as you all put it. I just wanted to reply to guy's reply about how I should just skip class, go home to momma, and put life on hold till I'm better. First off, I obviously would not go to my wife's appointment if it meant that anyone else would be in danger, I made a consious effort to stay away from everyone, not cough on anything, and not touch anything or anyone with my hands. Secondly, I'm attending a University, and it is no longer HIGH SCHOOL as some may be inclined to believe. You can't just "skip class" especially with tests. When the teachers say, "you must be here for the test unless you are on your deathbed" I think that's pretty serious. I can't afford to get a doctor's note because I have a high deductible on my insurance, and my classes are all upper-level difficult classes. Not trying to criticize or anything, just wanted you to know that real life is different than what some might believe. Anyway, I feel that I am just as ready to be a parent as any other right now, trying to take care of my basic daily responsibilities–not just run home to momma because I have the flu!!!
Reply:Again thanks for the replies. My DH is much better now. He started taking tylenol cold/flu and feels almost normal now. Yesterday he had a low temperature and today I think it is gone. I feel good so far (knock on wood). I did get some bad news at my appointment today. I have not progressed much at all in the last two weeks. I am 80 percent effaced and 1 centimeter dilated and due tomorrow :confused: . The doctor said that he doesn't think I will give birth in the next week and he induces his patients at 41 weeks. He says that between 41-42 weeks problems and complications start occuring when babies aren't born yet. I am so sad. I asked him what the chances were of me going into labor naturally in a week from today and he said not good. He says it's looking like I will be induced. If I have to be induced I don't want to sit here pregnant for an extra week. I'm gonna see if he will induce me in a couple days. I will be 40 weeks anyways so why not get this baby out!!!
Reply:Hi,
Me again -
You have my sympathy! I've gotta say that if your DH is willing to make everybody sick so he can have his way, he's not ready to be a parent. Tell him to grow up or have him read this so I can tell him!
Why is he going to his classes when he's sick? No one there wants his germs either. Tell him to drive 2 hours and take his germs with him. He can come home when he's fever-free for 24 hours. He's probably sick because someone else came to classes when they were sick.
Good luck! Barbara
Reply:Boy, do I have a story for you!! I hope this puts your mind at ease…
A week before my due date (Dec. 8, 2003), I came down w/ a horrible case of the flu– really high temp, felt awful. I ended up in the hospital w/ iv fluids b/c I was having contractions due to fever and dehydration, but not strong enough for delivery. I was scared to death b/c they put me on the labor and delivery floor and put a sign on my door saying I was in quarintine and no one could enter w/o a mask and full scrubs. I was so terrified about giving my baby the flu and so scared I would have to deliver while sick. They released me from the hospital and I started to feel better, though not 100%. I still had a really bad cough. I ended up going into labor past my due date on 12/11/03 and the funny part is that the residual cough I had actually helped me push the baby out!!! The nurse told me to keep coughing!
Here's the part that may put your mind at ease– The dr. and nurses in the hospital said all the antibodies you are building against the flu, especially if you end up getting it, will pass on to your baby, so he/she will build up an immunity against it. They did say, though, that if I delivered while I had the flu, the baby may not have been able to go the nursery w/ the other newborns b/c they wouldn't have the immunity against it. Thankfully, my baby was born healthy and flu-free. It is probably going to be tough for you to avoid getting sick now, since your dh was probably contagious before he started showing symptoms. I wouldn't have him go to your appt, though, just for the consideration of the other soon to be mommies there. Just try to keep as healthy as you can, get a ton of rest and remember to keep drinking plenty of fluids!!!! Let your ob know about the situation b/c he/she may have other advice for what to do if you come down w/ the flu (and I really hope you don't!!) Take care!!!
Reply:Thanks for your replies. Unfortunately we are living in student housing in this really tiny apartment and it is hard to avoid him. I told him not to come to my appointment and he refuses to listen. He can't go stay anywhere because his parents live almost 2 hours from here and he has classes at the university each day. I can't go anywhere because all of my family is in Maryland. My mom is coming out on thursday and is worrying that my husband will get her sick. Just what we need, an apartment full of flu victims and a newborn baby! Oh I hope this illness stays with him and I don't get it or my mom! I will wash my hands lots and try to stay away but it is hard in this tiny apartment!
Reply:Hi,
What a bummer! Not exactly what the baby books prepare you for.
I suggest you call the doctor and ask all of those questions. DO NOT let your sick husband go to tomorrow's appointment. The staff, doctor, and patients do not need to be around him.
As far as delivery goes, if he's still sick, the hospital's policy will govern if he can be anywhere near the baby – even with scrubs and a mask on. It's hard to think of this, but to go while he's sick would really endanger the babies.
I suggest you really stay away from him, too. It's just for a few days. I'd call your doctor tonight in case he/she suggests one of you actually go stay with family so you don't catch it, too. Maybe he can go home to his mom!
Wishing him – and you – well – Barbara
Reply:Oh no! Just be VERY careful. You may want to sleep in a separate room from him until you think he isn't contagious. I would keep him to just one room in the house, and make sure you wash your hands constantly. If he rests for several days in a row and doesn't get up to do anything, I think he will beat it much faster than if he was out and about, so MAKE him rest! And I also wouldn't have him come to the appointment with you, he should be home sleeping. Don't worry, only like 1 in 20 people actually have the baby on their due date so the chances are very low. Just whatever you do, make sure you are careful so he doesn't give it to you, because that's all you need is you sick, then being around an infant who has no immune system!!! Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In the meantime can you have your mom or someone go to the appointment with you?
