Can they do this?

Question

Got a call from another doctor yesterday. I had spoke with someone before regarding getting the covid test, and vaccine, and voiced my concerns, and was on the fence..... but this doctor basically said, my induction is cancelled because they took it as a complete refusal. And when I do come in to have the baby I will be treated like I have COVID. They will put me in a "covid room" and that room won't be as "comfortable" as the others she said, said they limit visitors, and are cautious about the baby being in the room after delivery. .... so basically they will treat me like shit unless I do what they want is what I got from it. Is this allowed, normal? .... I feel ten times more stressed out now, almost to the point where I don’t even want to go to the hospital at all. I already know what I had in mind for this birth and expected it to be like is just not going to happen.

Answer

If I was a patient having my baby at a hospital and another patient was refusing a COVID test I would ABSOLUTELY expect hospital staff to treat them as “covid positive”. I would be LIVID if a patient refusing testing wasn’t treated as such because they are endangering me and my baby. 
And as for how “covid positive” patients are treated- of course they deserve dignity and respect- but you can’t expect to have the same treatment as a patient who was tested negative with deadly communicable disease. This is a public health emergency and newborn babies’ and their mothers’ lives (as well as the hospital staff that are caring for all of us) are at stake. 
With all due respect, refusing a simple test sounds extraordinarily selfish and petty to me.

Answer

My partner and I have to get rapid tested at the hospital when I go into labor.  If we refuse, I’m treated as a covid patient.  They have to protect themselves and the other patients in the ward too.  I think it unreasonable to expect them not to.

Answer

Yes, they can absolutely do this. They have to protect the other mamas and babies as well as themselves. I don’t understand refusing a simple nose swab.

Answer

I don’t see the big deal in getting a covid test? That’s standard protocol in our hospital labor and delivery since the beginning of the pandemic. You take the test and if it comes back negative you can take your mask off. If you refuse the test they have to treat you as if you’re positive.

Answer

If from what I’m understanding is you’re refusing to get a covid test then yes it is completely understandable that they will be treating you as a “covid patient”. They have so many mothers and babies they’re treating and they need to limit exposure as much as possible. The hospital I’m delivering at will only allow 1 support person the entire time (no other visitors including other children you have are permitted) and they have very strict guidelines which were given to us a few weeks back to read through. They administer covid tests as as we’re being admitted to the hospital (even though we’re both vaccinated we still have to test).

Answer

I understand not wanting the vaccine and refusing that but the test is really nothing, just an uncomfortable nasal swab. I would rather a qtip up my nose for 30 seconds then to be treated like I have Covid and have my visitors limited. It makes sense if you don’t take the test that they would then assume you are positive.

Answer

This is absolutely correct. I went today for a covid test since I’m being induced Saturday evening, I’m also vaccinated. The test takes 20 seconds and it’s easy. My kids 10 and 6 have both had several and never even fuss about it. 
They have to protect those who are negative and the babies because you could be A symptomatic and then spread to those who aren’t.

Answer

And this is why I’ll be doing a homebirth. I am so sick of this Covid crap. I wouldn’t feel comfortable bringing my baby into this world around people who may or may not have this virus in the most crucial spot Covid is in and that’s hospitals.

Answer

Are you saying you don’t want to get a COVID test?

Answer

I have not heard of this treatment at all but my hospital does require a test before my induction - but my understanding was to be sure I’m negative or if it’s positive to take the necessary precautions. I wouldn’t refuse a test though.

Can they do this?

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