Preggo in the pandemic
Preggo in the pandemic
This may be your first pregnancy, your one in the middle or your very last but one. Whether your baby was planned or not this is not what you have envisioned.
Pregnancy is an anxiety inducing at the best of times, but this is something else.
We are a group of women who are going through something that no women in our lifetime has lived through. So remember you are strong you are an amazing mama an you are never alone as you have your baby in your tummy throughout it all. You can do this even if you need a little help we all do sometimes an that’s ok!
There is so many issues it can become very overwhelming. I will start at the beginning. Personally this has been very trying for me preparing for a birth potentially without my husband or to only have him there for a short period during delivery has really affected me. He has always been my mainstay especially after having c sections you need that extra support. I’m not ashamed to stay this has nearly broken me and I am dreading delivery. If I’m feeling like this I’m sure many others are too!!!
1st trimester
If you are currently in your 1st trimester follow all guidelines from NHS England, your midwife hospital ect. Self isolate for the first 12 weeks an if possible longer if need be (as we don’t know how long this will go on for).
Fingers crossed this will be over, an normal service will have resumed by the time you give birth. Speak to your partner, friends and family share your aniextys, rest, eat well go to appointments that are booked in. If you have to attend a scan alone it’s not as bad as you think (I went to one last week and the staff were fantastic and very reassuring) I know it can be difficult without your birth partner but let’s hope it’s not still going by the time baby arrives!
2nd trimester
Again like the first follow all guidelines from nhs, your midwife/ hospital, aswell as isolation ect.
Maybe try some online groups I know there are lots of yoga an hypno birthing groups virtual classes online which are really helpful with anxiety and preparing you for birth in the coming months.
Keep isolating if you can!! It’s safer to be at home!
Some of your appointments maybe be moved to telephone ones if this is the case just go with the flow but if you have any problems always ring your midwife or maternity triage.
3rd trimester
The scary part is upon us!! It all seems to get abit real when you hit the third trimester doesn’t it? As you know birth is right around the corner!
All the scary thoughts come creeping in about delivery and becoming a mum either for the first time or again, silly worries about how you will split your time between your other bambino’s an the newest but you will keep calm mama an carry on, your smashing it!
Keep up to date with your hypno birthing teacher or doula if that’s the way you want to birth or ask your midwife or consultant all the questions you feel necessary around your delivery if it will be via induction or c-section anything that will put your mind at ease an give you time to prepare.
Also preparing your other children about delivery if they are older they will not be allowed to visit the hospital explain mummy will be bringing baby home to meet them instead.
If you need breastfeeding support their will hopefully still be breastfeeding supporters within the hospital on post natal ward for support, however if you need support in the community, NCT, La Leche league, Liverpool community bambis and any other breastfeeding support Facebook groups - websites phone lines ect, also our inbox is also open for questions.
Please feel free to join our (Liverpool covid bumps and New Mama) no matter what stage of pregnancy or post partum you are were just a group of mamas supporting each other 🙌🏻
Antenatal mental health
To be honest I feel wholeheartedly let down I feel like our mental health has been pushed to the side an it’s like it doesn’t matter. We are being emotionally unsupported during this time within the NHS! Where are the women’s advocates?
Midwives are meant to be with women advocating for them?
I’m not knocking the nhs or midwives they are working extremely hard in very testing conditions however they are not going what we are going through. No one in this world living has been through such a pandemic before, so we are unsure on the rules how to deal with things, how things will pan out in the future. But we as new mamas are going to be hard hit, to have no visitors self isolate, apart from our birthing partners what about after they have had their paternity leave? Then there is no extra support from friends all family? It’s a melting pot to create post natal depression an other post partum mental health issues and I think this needs addressing sooner rather than later!
Also voice all your concerns to your midwife/ consultant this may help prevent pre-delivery nerves remember the guidance is changing by the minuet so it’s best to ask. Also ask how they can help you? Is there room for manoeuvre in any of the birth plan which is better for you an your family?
Labour an delivery
Are you sad your birth plans have got to change or have been changed for you? Or that some of your choices has been taken away? I am sad for all the women. Who’s birth plans have changed who’s birthing partners changed for every birth which is not as it is meant to be because of this virus.
Personally I cannot choose to have a home birth due to being high risk it wouldn’t be fair on my baby. However just because I have to birth in hospital mean that my emotional support from my birthing partner will be compromised or cut short due to him, not being allowed with me post delivery? As opposed to being at home to birth with full emotional support?
I’m scared this will impact my mental health post delivery which it may well! An many others.
But mamas it’s ok to be upset an angry with this awful situation you didn’t know that in 9 months this mad pandemic was going to occur so it’s not your fault. But if you don’t feel supported enough please get in touch with your local PALS (for your hospital) the Royal college of nursing, nursing and midwifery council and of course royal college of obstetricians and gynaecologist.
Also here is a link for a petition because no mum should have to birth alone please sign if you haven’t already
Post natal ward
So on most post natal wards around the country they are not letting visitors but not only no visitors no birthing partners which I find awful. I wish I could have a home birth but that’s not an option for myself unfortunately due to 3 previous c- sections an being a classed as high risk. I have contacted PALS (patient advice and liaison service). To discuss my concerns who which a matron called me back she advised me that it was not an option to have a birthing partner on the post natal ward. But surely if there allowed on deliver suite/ into an operating theatre then how can suddenly they become such an infection risk when you are moved to postnatal ward (if of course they abide by the rules and don’t leave the hospital. I don’t see the problem an I also don’t see how it’s justified an rationalised first these women)!
Different hospitals have different policies which is a nightmare because there all not singing from the same hymn sheet.
Making women feel empowered during birth is not happening at the moment (let’s not forget ladies it’s your birth you will remember this day for the rest of your life it will be the best or on par with the best days of your life so make it matter!) where are the health care professionals who are advocating for pregnant women? If anything this business of birthing partners leaving after delivery is causing lots more pre-delivery aniexty than is needed!!
There is so many ways around this situation this blanket ban is ridiculous!
A simple solution would be to let the birthing partner accompany mum an baby to the post natal ward as we know there will be staff shortages with staff members self isolating! This would be such a help for staff an new mums not to mention the emotional support which unfortunately midwives cannot give adequately due to only just meeting these women, not knowing them an finally having other women to look after.
Bringing your baby home
Is a scary prospect for any new mum but in theses circumstances I definitely see where your aniexty lies for bringing babe home. Going from the safe haven of your womb to this virus infected world. But just keep practising social distancing even though it’s so hard!! Follow all the rules ie no visitors, hand washing and if your partner is a key worker make sure they undress at the door an are straight in the shower when they are home. Following these steps will decrease your chances of contracting the virus and keeping mum an baby safe.
This time will pass you are doing amazing keep your head up mama this is just a short period the days are long but the months are short you will have your family, friends an support network back in no time.
Post natal mental health
This pandemic is going to effect most new mums mental health if you are a first time mum or mum of five. The dynamics of your family an friends have changed massively an most mums support networks have changed tremendously .
This is really scary for most mums.
Going to groups postnatally keeps mums sane but unfortunately in this situation we can’t attend any groups.
My advice in this situation is keep accessing online support if you can, grab your friends an family on FaceTime, ring text or email whatever makes you feel still in the loop. Also my inbox is always open if you feel you need to talk/vent.
If you are low in mood, anxious, physchotic or suffering with any post partum mental health issues ring your doctor it’s important for you an your baby you look after your mental health, there is absolutely no shame in it lots of mums suffer with there mental health issues after having a baby it’s knocks your hormones right out of whack, but this pandemic might just tip lots of new mums over the edge.
Let’s be honest we can all see why.
I’m here if anyone needs support or advice, not that I’m a councillor or anything I’m just another anxious mum with a open ear.
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