As I’m typing this, my little one is wiggling away in my stomach. Despite everything that’s going on in the world, I will never ever take these precious moments for granted. Yes, I am pregnant during the coronavirus pandemic but it’s been a blessing beyond measure.
Top tip (before we get into this little ramble of mine):
If you know someone who’s pregnant right now or who’s had a baby during the pandemic, check in with them from time to time. They need that support.
Never in a million years would I think I’d be writing a blog post with such a title.
But here we are. I am pregnant, with my first baby, during the coronavirus pandemic.
To say that it’s been an absolute rollercoaster of thoughts, feelings and emotions would be an understatement.
Not only does the pregnancy itself changes your life in a big way, but you are also left to deal with another big unknown: how to navigate through it all during the pandemic of this novel virus.
7 Truths About Being Pregnant During The Coronavirus Pandemic
(in no particular order)
1. Appointments and scans in the “new world”.
Our first little encounter with our baby was at 7 weeks.
I had an emergency scan and we got to see our little bean. This was pre-pandemic. I was beyond thankful to get the good news but I can only imagine how tough it is today for mamas to go in, alone, and possibly receive devastating news.
Our dating scan (10/12-week routine scan) also took place prior to the lockdown/quarantine in the UK. It meant that both my husband and I were allowed to be in the room together during the ultrasound check. We saw how our little bean got A LOT bigger in some 5 weeks, fully resembling a little human, and was wiggling a lot making us so happy! It was the sweetest thing to see – I couldn’t stop looking at the screen. It was also reassuring to know the baby is doing well and growing healthy.
My routine 16-week appointment with a midwife was over the phone. This was the first time things seemed different and strange. It was also around the time my pelvic pain hit, and I was in agony. I was told that under different circumstances I would’ve been referred to an osteopath or physio therapy. Coronavirus made it impossible. Thankfully, the pain shifted after a couple of weeks on the birthing ball (mine is from Baby Go), special pelvic floor exercises + the support belt.
By the time my next scan rolled in (20-week anatomy scan), the country has been going through a major rise in COVID-19 infection cases and deaths. It was quite scary, to say the least. The UK was reaching the peak and the times were (and still are) quite worrying and uncertain. I wasn’t able to have my husband with me during that scan but the sonographer was kind enough to let me FaceTime him for 30 seconds, so he was able to see our growing healthy babe.
I am now in my 3rd trimester. So thankful I got to have my 25, 28 and 31-week appointments in person with my midwife. They will carry on that way. The only thing is I have to wait outside before she calls me in. Overall, it just feels more or less normal, whatever that normal is today.
2. Bumping but no one can see.
Okay, maybe not necessarily “no one” but many people haven’t and won’t see me being pregnant.
One day they see you bump-less and next time they’d be seeing you will be with a baby or a toddler. It’s so strange. Because of the pandemic and social distancing measures I had to stay in for months.
Looking for cute baby clothes in town, meeting up with friends for a coffee and just “bumping” around would have been amazing. But it wasn’t an option. I had to shield.
I was also looking forward to having an active pregnancy: signing up for pregnancy and water yoga, antenatal classes and other exciting new experiences. The good thing is I still have my daily walks and online classes.
Yes, I can go out now to the shops or to meet with friends (at a distance) but I also remember to be extra careful and not to put myself and the baby under that unnecessary risk. The virus is still out there.
That’s where social media, WhatsApp, FaceTime and Skype step in big time. I am thankful to be able to share snaps of this growing baby with my loved ones. Even in such an unconventional way. What else can you do.
Silver lining and all that.
3. Online shopping 2.0.
I have never shopped online so much in my life. Ever!
I am not a big spender at all so I haven’t been splurging much on myself (comfy loungewear and a few maternity leggings were a must though). We had to prep for the baby, and it’s been the most exciting time seeing all the parcels arrive one by one, big and small.
Of course, it would’ve been nice to walk around the shops and pick out little outfits for our bundle of joy but it’s not been possible for a while. Yes, even now, when the shops are open, I don’t want to risk going in as it’s still advised for pregnant women to stay in as much as possible. Plus, I wish people were more conscious of social distancing, especially indoors, but that’s another topic for another time.
So we HAD to order everything online. From nappies to the car seat, from changing mats to our nursery furniture.
Thankfully, we have been very happy with every single purchase and haven’t returned a thing. Added bonus of not having to go to the post office!
We are baby-ready, and that’s all that matters.
4. I miss hugs.
This one goes without saying.
I just wish I could see my family. Even 2 metres apart. Even through the glass.
But I can’t.
Hugging them would be an absolute dream.
My mum and dad live 3,000+ miles away. To travel to the UK, they need tourist visas (the embassy is currently not granting them). They also would have to fly, which means going through the airports + sitting on a packed plane. Both of my parents (especially my dad) are high-risk. So that’s not an option at the moment.
I can’t fly either for obvious reasons.
So here we are.
This is probably the longest I’ve ever gone without seeing my family in person and it’s been breaking my heart.
Some days I am fine, other days I am in pieces.
The only thing that’s keeping me going is the hope that we will meet again very soon, that everyone is going to be well. There will be lots of cuddles, lots of happy tears, lots of long long chats. I just can’t wait to see them and have them meet their first grandchild.
5. It’s just 2 of us, but where do we go?
The other day my pregnancy app shared this little snippet which said something within the lines of: “Enjoy being out with your partner while it’s just you two”.
Hmm, enjoy being out – but where?
If it wasn’t for the pandemic, of course we’d be eating out, going to the movies, meeting with friends and not watching the clock.
Thankfully, my husband and I have enjoyed A LOT of time together through the years. We’ve been married for almost 6 years and it’s always been a decision to enjoy all that time together until we were ready to welcome a new family member. We traveled loads as well, which I will always treasure, especially now when we can’t go explore the world.
So yes, we have definitely had so so many carefree days and nights doing what we wanted and leaving the house in 5 minutes if we booked something last minute.
Have to be thankful for that.
Another thing I’ve been super thankful for is my husband working from home. At this stage I can’t even imagine him going back to the office. The last 4 months have been pure bliss in that way!
6. Bye bye babymoon.
I miss those good ol’ travel days. Don’t think we’ve ever gone this long without a holiday but that’s the reality of today.
Oh wait, we did manage to squeeze in that long weekend trip to Bruges before Belgium went into a lockdown! I guess that counts.
We were supposed to go on our babymoon this summer but our plans had to be cancelled.
We were also supposed to fly to 2 weddings (return tickets booked) but, sadly, those were cancelled too.
But here we are, making the best we can out of occasional sunny days in the garden and during our walks.
This strange time sure did make us appreciate the smallest things. And for that, I am grateful.
We will travel again soon and will show our baby the world.
7. And yet, happiness is through the roof.
If I were asked to summarise what it’s been like being pregnant (yes, even during the coronavirus pandemic), I would say this: THIS HAS BEEN THE MOST AMAZING EXPERIENCE.
Instead of focusing on what I couldn’t or can’t do, I am trying to make the best of the situation I am in.
After all, I am pregnant with our first baby, and we couldn’t be more happy and excited!!
I am cruising through each day of my pregnancy reminding myself to count my blessings. I am remembering to take things one day at a time.
This is the current situation (I’m talking about the pandemic) and I can’t change it. So I might as well accept it and trust that we and our loved ones will be kept safe.
I will be honest – some days are tough and emotional. Thankfully, other days are bright and hopeful.
Being pregnant during a pandemic isn’t something I expected to experience (ever) but it has happened. And I wouldn’t change it for the world. I am beyond thankful for this little one growing inside me. We love our little babe so so much and can’t wait for that special day when we get to meet.
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and let me know how you’ve been getting on during the pandemic.
None of us expected this to happen and it hasn’t been easy for many of us.
Are you expecting, or do you know anyone who’s been pregnant/given birth during the coronavirus pandemic?
