I have been avoiding social interactions ever since the cases peaked, hence getting infected with COVID at 39 weeks was a great blow to me. The source of my infection was from my dad. Once we found out he was ART postive , he went down to QTC to get his result confirmed so that we can appeal to MOH to send him to a quarantine facility as I am considered to be in the vulnerable group at 39 weeks pregnancy. Furthermore I was concerned as my toddler was not vaccinated as he’s only 3 years old. The appeal was successful and he was taken away to holiday Inn express 2 days after he went to QTC. Unfortunately, I started experiencing sore throat and tested Ag positive that night (+3 days after my dad positive). My heart totally sank when I saw the 2 lines and I was so upset.
I was very upset that I was infected with COVID close to 39 weeks despite avoiding all social gathering and had to be hospitalised for close monitoring for 7 days. As I was worried about Baby J , we decided to head down straight to KKH A&E instead of going down to QTC and then wait for MOH to call. At KKH A&E, I was quickly attended to and whisk up to the delivery suite. The nurses and doctor had to be in PPE to see me. My heart further sank when I was informed that only after 14 days when I tested positive then my husband can accompany me in the delivery suite. I broke down as I knew that was near impossible as I would have past 40th week by then. I was admitted to the isolation ward and was informed that I could only be discharged if my ART tested neg on day 4 or on d7 regardless of result (time based). Post note: I was told that as the situation is constantly evolving, the guideline may not be the same now
Even though I am a private patient at KKH, Covid patient are all housed in a isolation ward. It is a air-conditioned ward with 5 beds and shared toilet (thankfully its quite clean). I met a few mummies to be and mummies in that ward and compared to their story, I guessed i am a little more fortunate. A few of them had delivered at KKH even though they were being followed up at a private hospital (e.g. Mt Alvernia, Gleneagles) as they were hit by COVID and can only deliver at KKH. It’s quite sad that they were separated from their newborn (their choice as they don’t want their newborn to be in the covid ward). One of them even joked that they saved $13K for their husband as she have to deliver in KKH subsided instead of at Gleneagles.
I was informed by their business office that i will have to pay b1 rate despite staying at a subsidized c class ward if i would want my gynae to deliver for me should i go into labor during my isolation at the ward. I paid close to 2K in deposit. Post discharge, i emailed the Business Office and asked for refund as i did not go into labor during my isolation period (thankfully). I understand that Covid related hospitalization bill should be paid by the goverment.
Talked to Baby HengBoi2 and was grateful that he stayed inside me till i was negative else papa cant witness his birth and we will be separated too. Thankful to hubby n mum for caring for HengBoi n sending me yummy food during this period n friends for sending their love and support. Our HTHT works when HengBoi2 was so cooperative that at 40th week + 5 he was still inside my comfy swimming pool.
Surprisingly, time pass quite fast for the 7 days that I was there. Even thou i missed HengBoi badly, it kind of felt good being able to do nothing and just rest. and watch drama. Ever since HengBoi was born, i don’t remember a stretch of days where i could get a good rest without having to chase after him. However, as the nurses frequently check on me, it can be quite tiring too (e.g. be waken up at 4am for monitoring and ART swab). Of course, it’s all for the safety of HengBoi2. Food wise and service wise is really so so only. The routine is like Dr check at 7am, breakfast delivered at 8am followed by medication. Lunch at 12pm followed by medication and dinner was served early at 5pm. Sadly no hot water flask. The only happy food I can get is when the hubby send food at the allowed timings (3x a day). He will leave it at the reception below and they will bring it up. Thankfully, i get to eat my fav nanyang coffee toast and tea, bubble tea, waflles, burger and lobster etc :p
On Day 7, my ART was still positive but i was discharged (time-based) and was told that as per MOH guideline, i am unlikely to be infectious. However as my ART was still positive, i continued isolating at home till i got a negative result on day 9 as i did not want risking passing to HengBoi. It was torturous not being able to hug him when he called out for me :(.
Planned for induction but date had to be postponed as korkor Lucas had to be admitted. Thankful that it was nothing serious and could be dc after 2 days. On induction day, told Baby J that it’s time to meet us. He was again so cooperative that mummy didn’t even have time for epidural and he was out to take his first cry. Grateful to my gynae whom arrive so quickly from home to deliver baby J in the wee hours. Had to ask the hubby to pinch me cos I thought I was dreaming as I was still high from the pain and laughing gas. Can’t believe now we are parents to two sweet boys ❤❤❤