If You’re Pregnant During This Pandemic (Like Me)
When family planning before we became parents for the first time, my partner and I hoped that we would be able to have our first and second children approximately two years apart. We didn’t know, at the time, that this would mean I might be pregnant, and perhaps give birth, during a pandemic.
When COVID-19 became a reality around the same time we had planned to begin trying for a second baby, we started to discuss whether this was really the right time to get pregnant again. I spoke with a labor and delivery nurse who told me stories about newborns and mothers who tested positive for the virus being separated for weeks. I learned that I wouldn’t be able to bring my partner with me to prenatal appointments. There was so much scary uncertainty around pregnant women’s risk level with COVID, and multiple authorities, including the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) issued an alert based on the latest evidence stating that pregnancy can put people at risk for more severe forms of COVID-19. (For something a little easier to dig through, check out this COVID-19 parent resource FAQ.)
Despite all the scary unknowns (and knowns), we also discussed why we still wanted to try to grow our family now. I had experienced extreme nausea during my first pregnancy, which made it very difficult to drive to work and sit through in-person meetings when I was constantly getting sick. Since I’m teleworking now, I would be able to be ill from the comfort of my own home. I’ve also worked at my job long enough to earn a sabbatical, which could be used to spend more time home with my newborn. But most importantly, the timing just felt right for our family.
And now, I’m pregnant during a pandemic! While we are thrilled about our growing family, the pandemic means we have to make a lot of unique adjustments. Luckily for us, we’ve been through pregnancy, birth, and child-rearing once before. I keep thinking of the parents who are navigating all of this for the first-time, when things are so far from the norm. While these are unprecedented waters for everyone, there are some ways I’ve found helpful to make things a little easier:
Get creative with your celebrations - they’re more important now than ever! I threw my sister a drive-by baby-shower. Guests wore masks, shouted their best wishes from their cars, dropped off gifts in the front lawn, and took party favors for the drive home. Others have chosen to have virtual baby showers. If you choose to go virtual, you can request gifts be mailed to your home ahead of time so that you can give a virtual tour of your nursery/home with all of the presents already set up. Your friends and family will love to see how you will be putting their gifts to good use!
Sign up for a virtual childbirth education course, like our virtual Childbirth Preparation Course. Childbirth education classes help you to prepare for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, and are a great way to interact with other expecting parents! While many in-person options are cancelled, virtual classes allow parents to safely meet one another and feel prepared and excited about their birth.
Learn your provider’s protocol. Speak with your provider (doctor or midwife) to find out the COVID-19 protocol of their practice and where you are delivering (hospital, birthing center, or home). Some hospitals are still limiting how many support people can accompany you to your birth, which can impact whether or not you are able to have a doula support you. If anything makes you uncomfortable, ask questions, and know that it is never too late to change providers.
Prioritize your mental health. This is a REALLY stressful time - you probably already know that. Having a new baby or dealing with anxiety on top of everything else going on in 2020 is not something to just “power through.” You may really benefit from joining a support group, or better yet, finding a therapist! Many therapists are offering tele-health visits. Maternal anxiety and depression are the most common complications of childbirth, impacting up to 1 in 5 women, yet they are not commonly screened for or treated. According to the CDC, depression during and after pregnancy is common and treatable. If you are experiencing emotional changes, talk to your health care provider right away. Even if you are not depressed, talking to a therapist is a great support during pregnancy and after delivery.
Communicate your boundaries. People will be eager to see your growing bump or visit you and your newborn. Be clear about how you are navigating this pandemic. Whether you want people to wear masks, stay 6 feet apart, have not traveled or had any symptoms in the past two weeks, or hold off on visits all-together, that is your choice, and those who support you will respect it.
Ask for help. Give your community opportunities to support you during this time. Can a neighbor do a grocery porch drop off? Can a friend cook and freeze some meals for you? Is there a family member who can walk your dogs or take care of some yard maintenance? Is there someone who will make themselves available if you need to call or text? Even if you can’t spend face-to-face time, there are endless ways your loved ones can offer a helping hand.
Navigating pregnancy, birth, and parenthood is different during this time, but it is still beautiful and exciting! Thinking outside of the box and taking steps to prepare will help you overcome the unique challenges this time brings. You’ve got this!
