Pregnant women are among the people whose lives are being turned upside down by the coronavirus. As we prepare for one of the most intense and emotional experiences of our lives, we face the possibility of delivering babies in hospitals filled with patients infected with COVID-19, overwhelmed healthcare staff, and different birthing plans.
Pregnant women are considered an “at-risk population for COVID-19” because they’re generally at higher risk from respiratory infections, so numerous hospitals nationwide are minimizing childbirth visitors and doing more prenatal visits by phone or online, as recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Mamas, remember, when this is all over (and it will be!), you will be the women who were pregnant and gave birth during a global pandemic. You are the ones who faced the unthinkable and soldiered on because you had to. If you can go through this, you can go through anything.
Andrea, Bumps on Lockdown
I had the opportunity through Live in Tallahassee to sit down with an expert at North Florida Women’s Care to discuss Pregnancy during the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Pregnant? You Are Still in Control of How You React
During the last month of my pregnancy; we had to cancel my maternity shoot with Miranda Watkins photography, so my husband took a sweet picture of me the other day.
Being pregnant during a pandemic leaves you with a lot of uncertainty. Although this delivery will be very different from that of Harper/ and my family won’t be able to be there; there is a silver lining. This extra time at home with just the three of us has given my husband and me extra time to bond with Harper before baby boy’s arrival. I don’t have to worry about going into labor at work because I’m working from home. I’m grateful to even be pregnant. I’m grateful to have health insurance. I’m grateful my husband has the ability to work from home and help me with our energetic toddler.
This is a scary time to be pregnant, but I am strong. And I’m not alone. Hundreds of thousands of parents across the country are too navigating this reality of a horror story alongside with me. While this is very different from anything I could have imagined, it doesn’t have to be a bad experience. I still have so much control. The choice is mine.
I read in an article recently that mothers get this self-isolating more than men do sometimes because we’ve all been there, at some point, sort of self-quarantining with our newborn babies. So any strong, beautiful, expecting mamas out there, WE’VE GOT THIS!!!
What Has Helped Me
The Expectful App
Expectful is structured around a series of guided meditations that are available in 5, 10, and 20-minute formats. You’ll also find short stories to help you sleep at night.
Each guided meditation focuses on a different moment or milestone in your reproductive journey and is designed to help you through your unique challenges.
All of the content we create is based on interviews with many soon-to-be and new parents just like you, and with the help of licensed psychologists, hypnotherapists, and meditation experts.
We are thrilled to be your place of calm during one of life’s most wacky, weird, and wonderful transformations.
I pulled this letter from Expectful.com that resonated really well with me during this time.
Dear Mama,
Your path towards parenthood has veered wildly off course. Each canceled childbirth preparation class, new hospital policy, travel advisory, or precautionary measure may leave you reeling and unsure.
No matter what comes next, I want you to know:
Your frustration is valid.
Your anger is valid.
Your grief is valid.
But I hope you can remember that what you are feeling right now does not need to define your birth story. You can still have an experience that is defined by love, joy, and empowerment.
I believe that one day you will share your birth story with your baby and they will be in awe of you. Of the resilience, you channeled despite unexpected challenges.
No matter the circumstances of your birth, remember this:
You were strong.
You were brave.
You were never alone.
Your baby will come into the world deeply knowing your love.
You are more resilient than you ever imagined. This strength has always been within you.
– Michelle Berninger, birth and postpartum doula based in Brooklyn.
Exercise
My Peloton bike and Peloton community has been the silver lining of this pandemic. I’ve used it regularly for the last three years; but since this pandemic, I’ve found comfort in the Peloton community even more.
My husband’s gym is closed because of the virus and he has become an avid cyclist as well. I’ve had the opportunity to stay healthy and in shape during my pregnancy because of this bike that goes nowhere.
Check out my blog post 10 Reasons Why I Love my Peloton Bike. I will need to go back and update the post soon with the influx of great instructors, increased class offerings, and so much more. Use my code SRDCB5 to get $100 off accessories.
My Support System
I can utilize technology such as Facetime and Zoom to communicate with my friends and family. I have my husband who can keep me grounded. I can call my mom on the phone whenever I need to. I can use telemedicine to speak to any of my providers.
What I Can Control
- I can labor at home as long as possible to help reduce my risk of exposure
- I can view lockdown as a blessing to get my home clean, organized, and prepared for the baby’s arrival
- I can use this self-isolation to bond with my toddler and husband before we have a second child
- I can “nest” and wash all of his clothing and have his nursery ready
- I can have my groceries delivered and use that extra hour to meditate or exercise
- I can wash my hands and avoid touching my face when I go to my regularly scheduled prenatal appointments
- I can limit the news I watch and read
- I can limit my time on social media
- I can take it one day at a time
The uncertainty, the risk of infection, the social isolation, the nonvisitors afterbirths, the anxiety, it’s all a challenge to navigate. This is a scary time to be pregnant, but you are strong. You are not alone. Mamas, you are so much stronger than you know. What a gift these babies that we carry will bring to the world.
We received a wonderful interactive book by Maryann Cocca-Leffler, How Big Is Baby Now? that I would love to gift a few of my subscribers. The book is signed by the author, Maryann Cocca-Leffler. Maryann Cocca-Leffler is the award-winning author and illustrator of more than 60 books for children. When not working in her Portland, Maine studio, Maryann is visiting schools and libraries to share her books. Visit her at MaryannCoccaLeffler.com.
This die-cut board book is perfect for parents expecting another child as it shows kids what is happening in mom’s belly. While this approach is common in books for parents, no other children’s book correlates belly size to tangible objects in this way. How Big Is Baby Now? is sure to get them excited to become a big brother or big sister!
Comment below if you would like to receive a signed copy of the book and make sure you are subscribed to happilyharper.com
Check out my commercial with North Florida Women’s Care
Read CDC recommendations on Pregnancy and Breastfeeding here.
Shop my maternity style on the LiketoKnow.it app
XOXO
Kenzie