Hi everyone, my gran is in hospital and is likely to be in for the forseeable future. I've been going to see her twice a week since she's been in but I told my mum I was PG on Friday and she is worried about me going incase I pick up something. I hadn't even thought about it. What do you think? I'm 5 + 3

I think for me it would depend what ward she is on - which I guess depends on why she is in hospital...

If it is a 'broken hip' kind of ward then I would be less worried than if it was a 'pneumonia' kind of ward...

xx

PS - I just read that back and it sounds really unsympathetic! Sorry - I did not mean to be.

I hope your Gran is not too poorly. If she has access to one of those bedside phones you could alternate between visits and phone calls?

x

[Modified by: **Cath** on November 01, 2009 09:03 PM]

This may sound a bit harsh but I work on a ward and I dont get a choice about going into the hospital! It is highly unlikely that you will pick something up as long as you follow the hand hygiene guidelines.
It maybe worth phoning ahead and making sure that there is no outbreaks on the ward i.e. sickness bugs (which you should avoid), or shingles (which is pretty rare).

I got the sickness bug from work at around 8 weeks and other than being ill for 24 hours, I was fine.

Serena
13+3

Thanks for your reply Cath, it's a hospital for older people and there's all sorts of infections going around! A lot of the patients are there for more rehabilitative care until they're ready to go home but I have been there when my gran has told me someone on the ward has sickness and the runs, etc. My gran is in room with one other lady as my gran had MRSA years ago but think it is still in her system. She is in with heart and breathing diffiulties. Not sure what to do!

Oh hun what a dilemma, its a difficult one but I think I'd write and call and not visit, just to protect you and bean especially as you are at at early stage of your pregnancy.

I hope your Nan is soon on the mend

xx

Thanks for your replies. I was fine about going but it was my mum who was worrying! Think I'll just keep going- I'm a teacher and I'll prob pick up more infections from the kids!!

As for MRSA, around a third of people carry it on their body as part of their flora and forna. It often comes and goes without people realising because it doesnt colonise and cause a problem.
If your nan is in a room with one other lady who is not being isolated for a sickness bug or shingles, and you are fit and well then you really should be ok.

Just remember to wash your hands well and use the alcohol gels.

I hope your nan is ok
(and hope I dont sound too harsh!)

Serena

Thanks Serena, didn't think you sounded harsh at all! I always use the handwash before and after visiting. The other lady doesn't seem to have much wrong with her so that's not an issue. My gran's fine- more just that she can't really walk about so isn't able to go back home yet but she's ok otherwise.
Thanks everyone

I agree with Serena, just wash you hands as directed and you really will have no probs. I would def go and visit her, it will cheer her up no end.

Liz x

I had the exact same dilema early in my pregnancy, it was my father who was in hospital and we hadn't told anyone we were PG, no-one even suspected.

I visited daily as I normally would but was extra careful. I didn't have skin contact unless absolutely necessary and I used the alcohol gel obsessively. Also scrubbed my hands too. He was moved to a side room as they thought he might have MRSA, I got advice from my private healthcare and they said like serena82 that there'd be a good chance I was a carrier anyway and not to worry about it.

Personally I think life should continue as it normally would but you need to be comfortable with the choices you make. Fingers crossed she gets better soon xx