Ended up in LD for suspected flu

[laila 44]

So I've been sick for the past 3 days. Fever, cold, muscle aches, sore throat etc. Yesterday I decided to call my labor and delivery ward at my hospital to ask what else I could take other than Tylenol to bring fever down it was around 38.5 and I was miserable. They made a big stink about me having to go in to check baby's heart rate etc and to be monitored for fever. When I got there they were expecting me and had a quarantine room ready! Lol. I was hooked up to monitors, given blood tests, had a nasal swab and had heart rate and oxygen saturation monitors on me for hours!my heart rate was at 139 and I had low oxygen. Keep in mind I have a fever and am sick. They made such a big deal, kept me for 5 hours in observation and every time they came in the room they were dressed like swat team members with gowns and visors and all as if I had SARS! They swabbed me to test for influenza A and B. Results should be in by tomorrow. In the end fever went down, bloods were normal just elevated white blood cells which again normal for a fever and they let me go. My question is why such a fuss? Baby was fine. I'm just fighting a common virus even if it's the flu in not going to take antivirals so what's the point? I was really surprised at how crazy they were lol. And the ward was busy as hell! Very strange. Anyone had a flu while pregnant?

 

[MrsLux]

I had flu over new year at around 12 weeks. I just stayed at home took paracetamol and slept A LOT!! Ivmonitired my temp and took advice from my Mum who is an infection control director.

 

[AngelofTroy]

How bizarre! I guess they dressed in protective gear to stop them spreading it to other pregnant women? Maybe they had suspicions it was something more scary (no idea what) and had to monitor you to check? Hope you're feeling better. Xx

 

[laila 44]

How bizarre! I guess they dressed in protective gear to stop them spreading it to other pregnant women? Maybe they had suspicions it was something more scary (no idea what) and had to monitor you to check? Hope you're feeling better. Xx

I swear I think they thought I had Zika lol. It was too exaggerated their reaction. I'm much better anyway.

 

[Rhiannon137]

I'm glad to hear you're feeling better, but I honestly don't think the reaction was that over the top. The flu (by that, i mean proper Influenza, not just a nasty cold) during pregnancy CAN be very serious. Since it's a viral infection, your body's pregnancy-suppressed immune system is not able to fight it quite as effectively, and you become more susceptible to some of the serious complications. It's easy to forget that people still die of Influenza every year. Even though it's not perfect, the yearly flu vaccine is so important for protection.

I don't write this to panic anyone - if you get the flu, the most likely outcome is that you (and baby) will recover and be fine - but it should be taken seriously. On the one hand I'm surprised they had you go to LD if they suspected flu, but I guess that was the only option for monitoring baby. Since that's where you ended up, it makes sense to me that they were extra vigilant with infection control.

I just wanted to edit this to add that I am not generally a "pregnancy panicker". I eat rare steaks, soft cheese, have a daily cup of coffee, and even an occasional glass of wine; flu makes me nervous, though.

 

[biscuits104]

The flu virus is actually very dangerous for the elderly and pregnant women, I'm glad they took those precautions for you and your little one

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/pregnant.htm

They were also probably dressed like that to keep from spreading it on the labor and delivery floor.

 

[jenmcn1]

That is SO over the top! Seriously. It's the flu for goodness sake! Not some infectious disease they can catch and die from.
Yes a fever while pregnant needs to be monitored, but not like THAT! I've had the flu with one of my pregnancies, and I just got a ton of sleep and kept hydrated.
I'm glad you're feeling better and sorry that your experience was so crazy!!
I don't care what people say...it is WAY over the top, and the flu shot does absolutely nothing! I used I work in healthcare as a nurse. It only covers you for 4 strains and even then there's zero gaurantees.

 

[laila 44]

That is SO over the top! Seriously. It's the flu for goodness sake! Not some infectious disease they can catch and die from.
Yes a fever while pregnant needs to be monitored, but not like THAT! I've had the flu with one of my pregnancies, and I just got a ton of sleep and kept hydrated.
I'm glad you're feeling better and sorry that your experience was so crazy!!
I don't care what people say...it is WAY over the top, and the flu shot does absolutely nothing! I used I work in healthcare as a nurse. It only covers you for 4 strains and even then there's zero gaurantees.

Thank you!!!!!! I totally agree!!! I've had this shit before and never died from it. Pregnant or not we aren't handicapped, our bodies will fight it it's just a virus not the plague. I found their reaction to be super silly and exaggerated. I understand trying to protect other patients but in the end they swabbed and did nothing for me so not sure why they insisted I go in and stay 5 hours! I'm still quite frustrated. And my swab results still not in so even if it was the flu and they wanted to give antivirals like tamiflu it's too late now! Passed the 48hr window. No point. I knew baby was fine it was just a waste of my time!

 

[biscuits104]

That is SO over the top! Seriously. It's the flu for goodness sake! Not some infectious disease they can catch and die from.
Yes a fever while pregnant needs to be monitored, but not like THAT! I've had the flu with one of my pregnancies, and I just got a ton of sleep and kept hydrated.
I'm glad you're feeling better and sorry that your experience was so crazy!!
I don't care what people say...it is WAY over the top, and the flu shot does absolutely nothing! I used I work in healthcare as a nurse. It only covers you for 4 strains and even then there's zero gaurantees.

Thank you!!!!!! I totally agree!!! I've had this shit before and never died from it. Pregnant or not we aren't handicapped, our bodies will fight it it's just a virus not the plague. I found their reaction to be super silly and exaggerated. I understand trying to protect other patients but in the end they swabbed and did nothing for me so not sure why they insisted I go in and stay 5 hours! I'm still quite frustrated. And my swab results still not in so even if it was the flu and they wanted to give antivirals like tamiflu it's too late now! Passed the 48hr window. No point. I knew baby was fine it was just a waste of my time!

IDK...I think I'd rather receive over-the-top treatment while pregnant than for someone to just brush it off and say "eh, you're fine." Maybe it's just my two losses, but I feel that babies are fragile and you never know what could happen.

 

[Rhiannon137]

That is SO over the top! Seriously. It's the flu for goodness sake! Not some infectious disease they can catch and die from.

Regardless of your opinion on the treatment the OP received, the flu is an infectious disease you can catch and die from.

 

[Dory85]

As a nurse, I don't think this is over the top at all. Just last week I had a patient die from strain A influenza. There is a big difference between the flu and common Cold. In my hospital, if your heart rate was that high we would immediately fast bleep the medical emergency team as that alone is a sign that your body is under a great deal of stress.

 

[Spiffynoodles]

I ended up in L&D for 5 hours, too, on Monday. I only went in to be evaluated, but once they saw my Irritable Uterus contractions, they started treating me like I was about to go into preterm labor, even though I told them it was totally normal for me. I now know that if I ever got to L&D, I should just expect to be there for half a day.

 

[laila 44]

I ended up in L&D for 5 hours, too, on Monday. I only went in to be evaluated, but once they saw my Irritable Uterus contractions, they started treating me like I was about to go into preterm labor, even though I told them it was totally normal for me. I now know that if I ever got to L&D, I should just expect to be there for half a day.

Oh no lol! That was me in my previous pregnancy. Every time id go get monitored they would freak at the contractions picked up on machine and end up hospitalizing me! Once I stayed 3 days meeting with nicu etc they thought I was delivering at 32 weeks! Steroid shots and all! IU is so shit. I'm just waiting for it to start again. I had non stop contractions from 32-37 weeks when my water broke. My protocol was 3 tylenols at the start with 8 glasses of water. If that didn't work then a warm bath and then a glass of red wine as a last resort. The wine always did it. In the end I knew to stay away from birthing Center bc they were convinced I was in labor every time and then be baffled when I wouldn't dialate lol

 

[Spiffynoodles]

Oh no lol! That was me in my previous pregnancy. Every time id go get monitored they would freak at the contractions picked up on machine and end up hospitalizing me! Once I stayed 3 days meeting with nicu etc they thought I was delivering at 32 weeks! Steroid shots and all! IU is so shit. I'm just waiting for it to start again. I had non stop contractions from 32-37 weeks when my water broke. My protocol was 3 tylenols at the start with 8 glasses of water. If that didn't work then a warm bath and then a glass of red wine as a last resort. The wine always did it. In the end I knew to stay away from birthing Center bc they were convinced I was in labor every time and then be baffled when I wouldn't dialate lol

Yes, I'm definitely going to do my best to stay out of L&D if I can, because all they do is stop the contractions for the night and then they start up again the next day. Oh, and of course I get a nice hefty bill for my troubles. Thankfully my OB had IU in her own pregnancies, so she's never the one that sends me to L&D.

 

[Boo44]

Have to completely disagree. Pregnant women die from influenza every year. We have confirmed cases of influenza A in our local hospital at the moment and every single one is barrier nursed. It is in no way an over the top reaction. Lucky for you you didn't have it. However until they know they have to treat you like they do. And wearing those clothes is nothing to do with protecting them but everything to do with protecting potential spread to other pregnant and postnatal patients they will be caring for. If someone else had a potentiously serious and contagious condition near me when I was pregnant I sure as hell would want the medical staff to take precautions to protect me!

Glad yours was 'just' a common virus and that you and baby are fine

 

[jenmcn1]

That is SO over the top! Seriously. It's the flu for goodness sake! Not some infectious disease they can catch and die from.

Regardless of your opinion on the treatment the OP received, the flu is an infectious disease you can catch and die from.

No one has to take my opinion seriously. That's ok we're all entitled to our individual opinions. It is over the top and in majority of cases the flu is not something to be alarmed about. At all. If you have a super high fever for 5+ days than that's a different story. I'm all about the body naturally fighting it off. Let your body do what it was designed to do. There are occasions with the elderly and young children where it can become a complication. If the OP is at peace with how she's feeling than that's what is important.
I'm so tired of all the fear mongering over every single little illness. The body has the capacity to heal itself, through good nutrition, rest, and plenty of fluids.

 

[Boo44]

That is SO over the top! Seriously. It's the flu for goodness sake! Not some infectious disease they can catch and die from.

Regardless of your opinion on the treatment the OP received, the flu is an infectious disease you can catch and die from.

No one has to take my opinion seriously. That's ok we're all entitled to our individual opinions. It is over the top and in majority of cases the flu is not something to be alarmed about. At all. If you have a super high fever for 5+ days than that's a different story. I'm all about the body naturally fighting it off. Let your body do what it was designed to do. There are occasions with the elderly and young children where it can become a complication. If the OP is at peace with how she's feeling than that's what is important.
I'm so tired of all the fear mongering over every single little illness. The body has the capacity to heal itself, through good nutrition, rest, and plenty of fluids.

I would add pregnant women to your list - there are occasions with the elderly and young children and pregnant women where it can become a complication x

 

[laila 44]

Turns out my swab came out positive for influenza A and I'm feeling much better! On my own no meds. Fever only lasted 2-3 days and now I'm getting over the congestion and am coughing a bit. If I hadn't been swabbed I would have thought it to be just another virus. I don't think the flu is such an ordeal and although pregnant women are more susceptible we can fight stuff off too and it's not always the end of the world. i can understand the elderly and sometimes children. Any virus can turn deadly be it the flu or not xx

 

[Marumi]

Well I know if I had the flu, doctors would laugh and send me home What a difference in medical care.
I had Pertussis for three months this pregnancy. Kindergarteners bring home the weirdest things! Doctors did not know I had it until the last days of it...so my body took care of it on it's own but it typically does last 100 days.

 

[pinkpassion]

I do see both sides for sure.

I don't think the protocol for them to quarantine was out of line. I do think it is important for them to protect other women especially the ones delivering susceptible babies.

Not letting you go home when you wanted to, that's your choice. You should have a say in it!

It is concerning that your hr was so high and your oxygen was low. I would have been concerned too , especially since you are pregnant. I think more for the baby and not so much you, just because your baby could be having a little harder time getting the oxygen it needs.

I'm all about letting the body do what it's supposed to do, but sometimes when our immune systems are bogged down they can't do it as efficiently and that's when we run into problems. That's why people still die of what we think of as the simple flu! It really should be taken seriously in pregnancy. It's not {always} fear mongering, I think it's just educating yourself on what you need to take seriously and what you don't.. But people do still die from these things. Babies die, adults die. it does happen!

And BTW.. Glad you are feeling better!!!