As a second-time mom, I had envisioned a smoother postpartum journey compared to my first experience. I even founded my company, Bodily, to bridge the gaps in knowledge surrounding childbirth and to create supportive products for women navigating this life-changing event. However, the unexpected arrival of the pandemic changed everything.
About a week before my due date, I reached out to my doctor with concerns about delivering during such an uncertain time. At that moment, the COVID-19 situation was worsening, but cases in my area were still relatively low. I wanted to know if delivering at a hospital outside of my city would be a safer option, and what the advantages and disadvantages of that decision might be. My doctor strongly advised against switching hospitals, emphasizing the importance of continuity in care and familiarity with my medical history. Ultimately, she left the decision up to me, promising her support regardless of what I chose. After much consideration, I decided to stay put.
She also informed me that it was likely I would encounter someone in the hospital with COVID-19 during my delivery. She outlined the protocols in place, including the isolation rooms set aside for infected patients. This information allowed me to set realistic expectations for labor, even if it wasn’t the comforting news I was hoping for—that everything would be completely normal and free of the virus.
As fate would have it, I ended up going to the hospital under emergency circumstances. I had been receiving IV iron infusions for anemia when my blood pressure spiked, leading doctors to diagnose me with preeclampsia. They rushed me to the hospital, where my doctor and my partner were waiting.
Upon arrival, I noticed the waiting room was unusually quiet. The atmosphere was tense, with everyone keeping their distance. We carefully avoided crowded elevators and refrained from touching buttons. Medical staff and patients alike wore masks, and those who weren’t made me feel uneasy.
Despite the chaos, I felt reassured by the preparations I had made and the knowledge I had gathered beforehand. If you want to read more about pregnancy journeys during the pandemic, check out this post on Modern Family Blog. If you’re considering at-home insemination, Make a Mom offers the leading kits available. Additionally, Rmany is an excellent resource for all things pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, giving birth during a pandemic was nothing short of a rollercoaster experience. While I was prepared for many aspects of childbirth, the unforeseen challenges brought on by COVID-19 added a layer of complexity that I hadn’t anticipated. Nevertheless, understanding the situation and having a support system in place helped me navigate those uncertain waters.
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