UNUSUAL PREGNANCY EXPERIENCE DURING THE CORONA PANDEMIC
GUEST POST BY LOVY MICHAEL
In January 2020, my husband Heli and I found out we were pregnant. We did a home pregnancy test and went to a clinic nearby to confirm the news. We were thrilled when we got the good news because we believed the timing was perfect. Our first child, Sarah, was soon turning 4 and we felt it was time for her to have a sibling after enjoying 3 years of undivided attention.
THE FIRST TRIMESTER
The first trimester went about smoothly as I was feeling healthy and had no morning sickness. I had lost a few kilograms and therefore was able to fit into clothes I’d worn when I was 18!
Since this was my second pregnancy, I decided not to visit a gynaecologist until the second trimester. From the first pregnancy experience, I had loathed waiting in the queue for hours for a 5-minute discussion with the doctor. So, this time, as I did not have any complications, I took general advice from my gynaecologist friend who gave me a list of vitamins and nutrients I had to intake. I got my blood tests done at the laboratory nearby.
In February, for Valentine’s Day, I decided to surprise my hubby to dinner at a fine dining restaurant. I got a friend to babysit Sarah and the dinner was delightful. Little did we know that, after this, we would not be dining out for a long time.
The scenario had completely changed in March. Our social lives took a U-turn and by the end of the month we were locked down, or rather locked in. Within the four walls of my home, the new words added to my vocabulary were COVID-19, Corona, C-19, lockdown and social distancing.
THE SECOND TRIMESTER
The first visit to the doctor was an unusual one. We had to wear masks. We had to carry a declaration note with reasons for being outside our home, along with details of our whereabouts and return. The roads were almost empty. On the way, we would drop Sarah at my parent’s place to avoid unnecessary contact with others. There was no queue at the hospital. We met the doctor in just half an hour. We took a shower immediately after we got back home and washed our soiled clothes.
Despite the peculiar situation, I liked the fact that meeting with the doctor was quicker and people did not step on my toes or intrude my personal space at the hospital. So, I agreed to meet the gynaecologist every month from then on as the hospital visits were delightful!
I assumed that everything would get back to normal by the time I had to deliver at the end of September. But, soon the COVID positive cases were on the rise. Helps were restricted from entering our apartment complex. My dust allergy wasn’t helping while I swept and mopped the house almost every day. Gradually, the news and increasing numbers started building anxiety in me.
THE THIRD TRIMESTER
I was growing bigger. Though I was trying to get as much rest as possible, I was exhausted with all the cleaning. I couldn’t risk ordering in the food that I craved for, as many delivery boys were also turning out to be COVID positive.
Yet, I felt that the best thing about the lockdown was that my husband was home, so Sarah was well taken care of. I also decided to ignore the news and spend more time with her instead. We made sure Sarah was aware that we loved her to bits and that wasn’t going to change in any way.
In the 7th month, we got the news that a few doctors and staff members were tested COVID positive at the hospital where my gynaecologist was. I called my doctor and she reassured me that it was safe to keep my scheduled appointment. As my check-ups were necessary, I tried to think less about the contagion and more about my baby. We had to be careful about being in contact with others. The baby was fine and my reports were good. Also, spending less time on WhatsApp and more time with my daughter helped reduce my anxiety.
During my 8th month, fortunately, the Residents Association decided to start allowing helps at the employer’s own risk so my help came for a few days. Soon though, a family in the neighbourhood tested COVID positive and helps were restricted again. Our helps worked at several houses so the risk of contracting the virus, through them, was high. Again, I was left with no help.
I began to grow concerned about my stay in the hospital and managing things after the new baby arrived. On noticing this, my mother suggested that we stay at her place post-delivery. I wasn’t sure if depending on my aging mother was a good idea but it did seem to be the best option at the time.
In the 9th month, by God’s grace, the lockdown was relaxed, not because of lesser numbers, but because it seemed that no matter how long we stayed at home, it was impossible for the country to control the community spread. As my help was allowed to come home, we decided we would return to our humble abode after the delivery.
With the due date getting closer, we managed to spring clean the house with the help of a few friends. My sister decided to come home so that it was easier for us to leave Sarah with her and her daughter while we were busy with hospital visits and the delivery.
I began to get labour pains a few days before my due date. My husband and I packed our bags and rushed to the hospital. As a new process, we had to get a quick COVID test done before I could get admitted. Our reports were negative, and I went into labour for 4 hours. The most frustrating part was having to wear a mask all through the breathing and pushing.
On 24th September, our bundle of joy was born. He was beautiful and all my pain and discomfort vanished. My family was around me and my daughter was happy she had a sibling to care for. And, with the Corona pandemic still around, this was definitely a pregnancy to remember!
All through the pregnancy and delivery, the following are the few things that we learnt from our unusual pregnancy experience during the Corona pandemic:
1) Keep calm and worry less. Staying strong during testing times is the key to having a comfortable pregnancy.
2) You cannot expect things to be perfect all the time. Be happy with imperfections too.
3) Be thankful for the little things in life. Or, find things you have and be grateful for it.
4) Being close-knit as a family is important. Also, spending time with your loved ones is vital for our well-being.
5) You cannot control things outside your home, but you can definitely focus on what you can control within your Queendom.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lovy was born and brought up in Kuwait. Along with her parents, she moved to India to complete her graduation. She loves to meet people and get to know them better. She left her corporate job after her first child was born. Her hobbies include watching comedy shows and listening to music. She prefers keeping things simple. She now resides in Kerala.
47 Comments
congratulations and it’s really an amazing story. it’s not easy to tackle this phase especially during Corona time
So good to see that you delivered a child safely amidst this pandemic. Thank you for sharing your journey, I think it will help a lot of people.
So glad to hear that all went well with the Lovy. It’s quite great of her for sharing her story with the world. I can’t even imagine how difficult a pandemic pregnancy could be. Thanks for sharing this.
So glad to hear that all went well with the Lovy. It’s quite great of her for sharing her story with the world. I can’t even imagine how difficult a pandemic pregnancy could be.
It was so touching story of her. Congrats to her for new baby and can understand what she and her husband might gone through this pandemic
You have really been so positive throughout your pregnancy journey. Wishing you and the little bundle of joy the best.
Congratulations on your new journey…it must be a tough time but happy that you are blessed with healthy baby!!
First of congratulations for new baby .I know the struggle of being pregnant with this pandemic situation will be difficult . Loved the piece of advice that lovy has given in this post.
This is so good and positive attitude towards life. Wishing you all the best wishes Lovy. Great thoughts.
Congratulations to Lovy. No matter how difficult it might have been, at the end all that matters was everything went well.
More power to you mommy.
Your story is so heart touching.
Always keep up the high spirits 👍🏻
Awww… Loved reading your post! It must have been hard, but you went through it with so much positivity! God bless you all!
This was such a wonderful post. I can only imagine the kinda precautions you guys must have taken. Loved seeing the happy pics.
Great to hear this inspiring story. I can’t even imagine what the mother would have gone through. This pandemic is making life difficult , however it’s quite inspiring to hear such wonderful stories.
Heartiest congratulations brave girl.
Great to know that you kept your spirits high even in the tough situation.
You are gonna remember this entire life. Wishing you great health and happiness to you and to the little one.
Nice to see your experience of welcoming your precious bundle of joy in these harrowing times. This would definitely be a boon to other parents who are poised on the threshold of a similar experience.
Many congratulations to your daughter and you two Lovy & Heli Michael on the arrival of the new family member. I am sure this experience would have bonded the entire family even more closer and more people will derive strength after reading this article. Thanks for sharing
This is such a tough time! hats off to you and your family to have planned a baby during this year – it takes a lot of courage. glad you found the support system to help you and you are able to share your learnings with us all.
Going through pregnancy and giving birth during the pandemic is an experience in itself. I had been thinking about how the new parents are managing all the doctor visits as just thinking of going out of the house gave me a panic attack during the lockdown. It’s good to read about Lovy’s experience. I am happy that everything went well, Congratulations to the new parents.
Being pregnant is a herculean task and being pregnant in lockdown is unimaginable for me. I can understand that Lovy you surely might be having so many second thought on every doctor visit. but alls well that ends well. Heartiest Congratulations to you and your husband for the bundle of Joy.
Congratulations on the new bundle of joy and for going through it all with so much positivity. Its been a tough year for so many so gratitude is what we must all feel for what we have.
I can understand the difficulties and problems have to face during this pandemic pregnancy period. Thanks dear for sharing your experience and journey with us .
It is always interesting to read other people’s birth stories! This particular one is sure to be very helpful for mothers who are expecting during these tough times.
This is an experience of its own, its tells us nothing can be how we wished but still finding happiness in its own good ways. it must be really tough especially with a 4 year old. . Wish both the mom and baby are safe.
That was a great article, on Pregnancy during pandemic times! Times were indeed tough but glad that you guys kept doing the right things!
Great to know about the guest author’s journey of second-time motherhood in the Pandemic time. All well that ends well, the best thing is we are learning a lot with every bit of this Corona time.
Firstly heartily congratulations for the pregnancy, indeed it concerning to experience pregnancy in this pandemic, glad you shared your concern
That’s such a positive attitude for the life. Wishing you all the best wishes Lovy. This post is a guide to all the mothers to be fret free in pregnancy in Corona times.
That’s so very brave and calm of the mother to smoothly go through the entire process. I understand anyone would go in hyperventilating seeing the stress and all. Glad that she chose you blog to journal her motherhood journey.
I can understand this would a tough time …glad you handled all very nicely and thanks for sharing this which will help everyone!!
it’s great you took the courage to share your story here. I understand how tough pregnancy cam be and this crisis we are facing is feather on the hat … I am glad you sailed through it .. keep smiling..stay blessed
First of all heartiest congratulations to the new mom. I can understand how much difficult could have been the situation. It’s really amazing that everything has gone well.
That’s a great article and for sure a good read for expecting moms as this covid situation has made everyone apprehensive and specially expecting and new moms.
So good to know about your experiences Lovy. There are extra ordinary times and I wish you all the very best
Loved reading this and these lessons are for life. Thank you Lovy for sharing your experience with us all. I am sure this will be helpful for many expectant moms out there 🙂
Congratulation dear new member in your family. Yes, even I was wondering it will be tough in this pandemic situation but you are lucky that everything go smooth.
Congratulations for the new born .
Can understand how difficult it would have been in this time .
Love, it must have been a challenging time for both of you but kids to you. A you said, the moment you hold the tiny miracle of God in your arms, you forget all the worries. God bless you all and many congratulations for this new addition.
As you demonstrated we cannot cocoon ourselves forever. Taking calculated risks without worrying is the best way to navigate through these times….Great article, Lovy! Beautifully written!
First of all congratulations for your new baby! And Bravo for going through the pregnancy during such a tough time. Completely agree about a close knit family… When my twins were born, I was totally dependent on my mum and dad.
Well written!! I’m amazed at how you kept your cool and God is awesome indeed. Keep it coming sis…
My sister in law expecting her second child and her due date is in next month. I know the struggle of being pregnant with this pandemic situation so well. Loved the piece of advice that lovy has given in this post. Indeed you have to keep yourself calm to deal with multiple things all together.
Beautifully written ❤️
What a wonderful testimony of the goodness of God and how He preserved you and your precious family. Thank you for sharing. God bless you even more!
Amazing article. Thanks Lovy for sharing your experiences bearing your baby. As a mother, wife and daughter you are brave. Your learnings from your wonderful journey is a great lesson for many families to learn from. Thanks for sharing.
Great article, Lovy!… I know for real the difficulties you guys went through and overcame, ALWAYS smiling.
STAY BLESSED!
I’ve seen( read heard of) few pregnancies at home during the lockdown and know just how challenging it must be. Great to know about your good experience in welcoming your bundle of joy!