COVID and Pregnancy

disgruntled_pelican · November 2020

I hope it’s okay I made a separate thread, but I wanted to see how everyone was dealing with being pregnant during a pandemic? What are your care providers doing to keep you safe? What changes have you made to stay safe? Our deliveries are still a while out so it’s kind of hard to plan/predict what will happen then, but what are you envisioning? No format for questions, just a general discussion!

mindyb2019 · November 2020

Being pregnant through a pandemic is definitely not my ideal dream pregnancy but hey lol. I dont think it is for anyone here, but I think im handling it ok despite all things going on.

It makes me sad cause this is my first baby and I had so many fun parties and things planned but might not get to do them because of the state of the world and I feel robbed of all those first time things

Just adding Covid to the mix just makes me more anxious and nervous on top of my already PGAL brain. Im scared to do anything really. In order to keep safe I don't really do much. Having a life is something of the past 😆 I pretty much just go to work and come straight home and lay on my couch and watch TV or movies. If I have to go out Its mostly to the grocery store for things I need or appts with the DR and I try to limit my time any place. I get in and get out as fast as I can. I always wear my mask too and keep my distance and always wash my hands.

June is far away from now but I would like for Covid to be gone by then or at least have a vaccine. If not, then im hoping the numbers will be down low enough that my family/friends can come visit me and the baby in the hospital. I will be sad if no one can see he/she. Again feel robbed of that moment.

This is what I have to say to you Covid:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/91/z419419p9x6k.gif

klj0228 · November 2020

As of now my provider will allow my H to attend my appointments, but we will only bring him to the anatomy scan in order to reduce the risk of us both being exposed. I expect as things get worse here again they will stop allowing partners in for appointments so I’m trying to not get too attached to the idea.

We have tried to take the virus seriously all along, but both work in essential industries so continued to go to work since the beginning. Even though this will not change we are continuing to limit our contact with other people. I worry more now than I did before about being around our families because I don’t fully trust how safe they are being. We have a small group of very close friends we still see. They are our neighbors and are all older and retired (more like family than neighbors). They are all being very safe and cautious and limiting their outings so we have decided it is still safe for us to be around them. I wish this would just go away, but I know it’s going to be apart of our daily lives for awhile still.

mc0303 · November 2020

We take it super seriously. I haven’t seen family since last January/February or friends really.

I did a lot of work in therapy about COVID depression because I had a tiny baby when it started and was already in the throes of PPD. It’s perfectly healthy to be sad. This is not normal. It’s not a normal way to parent or be pregnant.

I just keep trying to focus on the future and take it one day at a time. I’ve been very anxious about my upcoming appt bc we are allowed support persons, but that means my LO would have to come too. I’d love for him to be there but he’s too young to mask up and I’m nervous about the exposure. But it’s also not an insignificant event 😔 So many tough calls to make.

lizalovespasha · November 2020

@mindyb2019 Yeah, I feel you. It's very sad we cant celebrate like in times past. My bff simply canceled her shower, I just sent her something online. It's not the same! I wonder if we'll be able to have baby showers next year or if it will still be too dangerous.

That said, it's always good to accentuate the positive. My brother and SIL had a pretty successful bridal shower on zoom. It took a lot of work and planning, but it was fun for all and gratifying for them. They sent care packages w gifts and props for the games by mail in advance. People also mailed their gifts which she opened on camera. There were several games, and people took turns sharing advice and well wishes. Pretty cool, considering!

wanderlustsoul · November 2020

Covid already stole parts of my child’s first year. Other than my mom, no one has seen my toddler in 1 year so my family has missed out on so much of him. We didn’t even get to let my H’s grandma see him one last time before she passed away. It sucks.

And now being pregnant. Luckily my H can still attend appointments with me. I already don’t do too much as I can’t afford to get sick when I have a toddler and now extra motivation.

I am desperate to go home to Canada. It’s been nearly a year. The longest I’ve ever gone without going home. I miss it so much. I miss our families and friends so much. We are so utterly alone here and covid has amplified that 100 times. My mom was going to come for Christmas and then Canada got put on the no travel list. It sucks. People breaking the rules and not listening/wearing masks and throwing their parties, I hate them all. It’s so selfish.

MelissaMay82 · November 2020

DH and I both work in healthcare. He works full time and has much more potential to be exposed. I only work per diem and all my patients are tested before surgery. Part of the reason I went per diem was because of covid.

Other than work, we don’t go anywhere other than the grocery store or target. We try to do grocery pickup/curbside as much as possible. We always wear masks and use an obnoxious amount of hand sanitizer.

we don’t see anyone. We really haven’t seen our families (who live in our town) since March. Once or twice during the summer our parents came over to our yard to watch DD play outside. They stayed 12+ feet away and did not touch her. Before we were worried about us exposing them due to our jobs but honestly now, I am more afraid to be exposed from them. We are way more careful than they are. We will not be doing anything with anyone for the holidays other than zoom.

DH will not be attending appointments with me because he will have to stay with DD. The inky exception is we might have to have MIL watch DD when I go to MFM for the anatomy scan. Which I don’t feel great about but I have serious anxiety when it comes to MFM.

DoubleUp8 · November 2020

My practitioner is not letting DH come to any appointments, not even the anatomy scan. I feel badly because getting to come to the u/s was his best way to experience the baby before birth. Guess he'll have to hope this one moves as much as their big brother.

On reason we are fine it through the NIPT is so DH and DS can be part of the finding out.

We only see a select number of choose friends who we know are being careful, but with numbers riding in our area that will probably stop soon. 😞

I took the day off and DH and I are doing a huge shopping day after my appointment to stock the house for having to stay home again.

akoros · November 2020

My husband also isn't allowed to come to appointments. He can be there for labor, thankfully, but I think that's it (1 companion, no others). Admittedly there's a lot of time between now and June, so I'm hoping that things will improve by then but also not going to count on it.

We've been pretty careful. Both of us are teleworking full-time now, which is incredibly fortunate. My husband goes out running, I go grocery shopping, and maybe once a month (or less) we eat outside at a restaurant that we know is taking all the precautions (all masked, of course). That's about it. Our parents, thankfully, are also taking this incredibly seriously, so they're part of our "quaran-team" along with my brother-in-law and his wife (who is a microbiologist who works in a BSL, so I figure she's an expert in staying safe). Those are the only people we've seen IRL since March, and since they're all luckily within an easy driving distance we'll see them for the holidays as well. Numbers are going up in our area, but still not dire, so I'm hoping that we can keep it under control. Indoor dining really hurt us, as well as just general fatigue with all the protocols making people take too many risks. I'm very scared about the prospect of hospitals being overrun. My father has a lot of health issues (a-fib, shingles, and CML) and is still working to get a good medication cocktail that won't cause internal bleeding.

I'm also slowly stocking up, buying a pack of wipes, toilet paper, soap, and paper towels almost every time I go shopping. In general usually have about a month's worth of food in our pantry/freezer (it'd get ugly, but we'd survive), plus I've been keeping subscription meal and produce delivery services active so we can supplement with those.

marebear15 · November 2020

My sister had her baby in September, and we have the same provider, so I know what to expect for labor and delivery. Her husband was only allowed to be at the anatomy scan. For delivery, they had to wear masks until they got their delivery room, and no visitors after birth.

My work hasn't been affected much during Covid. I did have to work from home a month at the beginning and then another two weeks when I was exposed, but I'm considered essential. My social group is pretty small to begin with, but now I usually only see my immediate family and DH's immediate family.

legallykate · November 2020

We've been really strict since early March since we have a 2 year old and my 71 year old mom is her nanny, so we've basically been in a 4 person bubble. Add to that TTC since the beginning of the year, struggling with infertility, and then starting IVF, we just chose to stay locked down even as things reopened. The only places we really go are doctor appointments (DH has been allowed to come to the major appointments at the fertility clinic luckily, not sure what will happen when I graduate to my OB). We get everything delivered or do curbside food pickup and drive thrus. We have seen my dad and his gf twice outdoors with masks on and my brother once outdoors with masks on. DH's mom quarantined for two weeks and flew here to see us for a week in October, that was by far the biggest risk we have taken and it was very scary but luckily turned out okay - it was right before I had my embryo transferred, so we wouldn't do it again now.

It sucks but we don't want to take any risks after struggling to conceive and shelling out a good amount of money to do so (even with good insurance). I feel really sad for first time moms though, I am sure it is much worse navigating pregnancy and milestones and all the special moments for the first time during this. So just want to say I see you all and am here for you to lend support.

ellieemc26 · November 2020

I'm fortunate that my company is taking this pretty serious and I've been working remote since last March with no plans currently in the works to return to the office. My SO is a teacher so its been harder for him. They went back to school this fall in a hybrid model, but as of today have gone fully remote through the end of the semester due to rising cases in our area and there being too many teachers in quarantine to properly staff the schools.

As another IVF mom I was super paranoid the whole time going through that process, we did a full cycle from retrieval to transfer and also had to throw in an extra surgery to remove a uterine fibroid. As an aside, surgery during covid, not so fun! In some ways the local lockdowns actually helped us through IVF, I didn't have to tell my work anything - I just blocked off my calendar when I had appointments or went in for the earliest blood draws and no one was ever the wiser. I really hadn't been looking forward to having to tell my older male boss I was going through IVF!

Our biggest challenge is actually going on right now. My MIL had hip replacement surgery last week and my SO has been visiting her to take of her as well as spending the time in the hospital with her, etc. His brother is flying in this week and will stay with us for a couple days before heading up to her house to help out. We're both quite nervous about it, but trying to just trust that we've all taken appropriate precautions. I guess its all part of trying to find the balance. We're also really struggling with what to do for the holidays. My mom really wants to get together with us and my brother but I feel like she isn't as cautious and my brother is a grocery worker so he's pretty high risk for exposure.

As for the baby stuff - as of right now he's not allowed to come to any of my OB appointments. I haven't asked anything about delivery because I figure that's far enough away that things will change. I am sort of bummed as a FTM that we have to do our parenting classes virtually. I was really looking forward to getting to meet some other expecting couples and get some hands on education!

sgrn18 · November 2020

Right now MH is allowed to ultrasounds only. Last time he went with me to every appt so this is a huge change for us. I have seen my immediate family a few times but we all wear masks and lots of hand washing.

I’m not sad about no visitors in the hospital after birth, last time I really just wanted to be alone with my baby and feed whenever he wanted but instead I had to ask people to leave and feelings got hurt. I actually didn’t even tell my parents I was going to the hospital after my water broke because I didn’t need my mother causing a scene trying to hold my child before I’d even had a chance to. I will be very sad if DS won’t be able to come meet his sibling in the hospital though.

I’m hoping things die down before delivery for safety/health/mental health reasons though. I miss my friends and seeing them and letting our kids play regularly. I think I’ve seen them about 3 times since all of this started. DS asks about his friend every time we pass their house and it breaks my heart that he can’t play with his friends like he used to.

tilournextadventure · November 2020

Well, covid really messed up our lives. We were on an international adventure which started last November when we left the US to travel the world. In March we found ourselves locked down in Wales with no alternatives to leave the country. We were finally coming up to the end of our visa period in September and thankfully airlines were taking pets again. We were able to fly back to the US in September and have been here in NC ever since.

I have asthma and have taken this seriously. MH did all the shopping when we were overseas and still does the majority now. I go once in awhile if I need to get out of the house.

Since being back in the US, DS is back in preschool which is good for him as he needs lots of structure. The school is taking extra precautions to ensure all the kids and teachers keep safe during and outside of school hours. I feel comfortable with him their. I have also been working from home and that will continue for the foreseeable future. Other than seeing friends for an outdoor activity, I don't do much. We have no family nearby, so we don't worry about seeing them or missing out on seeing them.

For now, DH is allowed to join me at all appointments. For delivery, the hospital requires I take a rapid test upon arrival to the hospital. If I am negative, I am allowed to take off my mask. However, DH has to wear a mask the entire time he is there. Only one person in the room that is over 18 allowed. But he can go in and out as much as needed. Temps are taken each time he enters the hospital. I assume these will change during the winter months, but I am okay with these guidelines.

artsiefartsie · November 2020

We unfortunately, live in an area that is not taking covid seriously so we have been on lockdown for months now. My husband's job is considered essential so he's been working the whole time but thankfully has minimal contact with people.

We decided to keep DS out of preschool this year so I mostly just stay in with him, with a lot of backyard time on nice weather days. DH does the grocery shopping for the most part, and we've seen his parents a few times because they are also taking it seriously. We will also get takeout but other than that I haven't left the house much besides appointments. Thankfully, DH can still come to appointments, so FX that continues.

Mostly I'm just mentally exhausted being surrounded by people who think it is all fake, and refuse to take even basic precautions.

rumors_from_inez · November 2020

Oops wrong account- I almost used this s/n until I discovered a better one LOL

mamakate2011 · November 2020

We have taken the pandemic very seriously. We don’t eat at restaurants and only within the last three months or so did we start going to grocery stores and target. Before that we had everything delivered. I only go places where everyone wears a mask and we keep our distance. I haven’t seen any friends at all since early March. None whatsoever.

My three kids all went back to in person school in early September. My 8 and 5 year old go to a school where they wear masks all day - even at recess. They eat only two people to one long cafeteria table and therefore eat very late lunches. My 3 year old goes to Mother’s Day out twice a week to a school that does NOT Require masks to be worn. I ask my son to, but most of the time when I pick him up he’s not wearing his mask anymore. Two weeks ago his school had their first covid case and I was instantly very worried he would get it. Fast forward to last week when I suddenly lost my taste and smell. The next day (Wednesday) I went for a covid test. Thursday evening I received my results - POSITIVE. ☹️ I had all three of my boys and my husband tested on Friday and amazingly they all tested negative. I swear I got it from my youngest son - but how could that be when he’s negative? He did a rapid test which can be wrong 20% of the time so we are waiting on a PCR test result. I’m just blown away, because we are extremely careful.

So here I am, 11 weeks pregnant with Covid. Luckily, my symptoms are mild. I feel like I have a cold. Headache and lack of smell and taste is annoying for sure, but I know it could be a lot worse. Grateful that I’ve remained fever free. OB’s office just pushed back my next weeks appointment by a week. They told me lots of water and rest. That’s about it! I’m pretty nervous, but I know it could be worse. Just so glad my 78 year old mom had remained symptom free since the last time I saw her which was 8 days ago (4 days before I tested positive). Hopefully she stays that way. She is the only person we ever see outside our household. My IL’s live out of state and FIL has cancer, so we haven’t seen them all year. ☹️

mc0303 · November 2020

@mamakate2011 oh no!!! I hope it continues to be mild and you make a speedy recovery. That’s wild that everyone tested negative!

ashleyjillian15 · November 2020

@mamakate2011 I am so sorry you got COVID, that has to be insanely frustrating with how careful you have been and being pregnant on top of it, I hope you recover quickly!!!

MelissaMay82 · November 2020

@mamakate2011 oh no. I’m so sorry you got covid! I’m glad your symptoms are mild and hopefully you will test negative soon. Definitely get some rest!

Omie_Wise · November 2020

@mamakate2011 Oh no! I hope your symptoms continue to be mild and you make it through okay.

We also live in an area of rising numbers. DS1 is in preschool but it’s small and all of the other families committed to trying to not get Covid, so it feels like the best choice we could have made. He had to be in school. DH has been wfh since March and will likely never return to the office FT. I’m a SAHM. We keep to ourselves. My parents, who live out of state, visit about once a month so they are in our bubble. Sometimes we see my BIL or FIL. We really try to limit trips and just stay home as much as possible. I think the hardest part has been that it doesn’t feel safe to hire a PT nanny, which would significantly improve our quality of life. That and not getting breakfast out, which was a silver lining of how stupid early my 3 yo wakes up.

DH isn’t allowed to go to appointments, except ultrasounds. He always went to the appointments so this will be a big change for him. He is allowed in the delivery room as long as he’s covid negative. We also have a doula. I’m hoping things won’t be too bad in June.

llamamamawearspajamapants · November 2020

@mamakate2011 that’s so frustrating! I hope isolated recovery means you have some aggressively enforced me-time. Just you, baby girl, gatorade, and Netflix.

angelz429 · November 2020

Florida doesn’t take this seriously. I work in the medical field but luckily in an area that has been 100% virtual since March. I am a physical body on site one day per week, but work from home the other days. This has dropped my productivity and my coworker satisfaction, but is 100% necessary. In clinic, even though I’m not seeing patients in person, must wear face mask & eye protection when in common areas or if my office door is open.

My husband struggles with anxiety and sports are his release so he plays golf and hockey still but wears a mask if he’s near people. It sucks. But it’s that or a struggling husband. So we made compromises.

I don’t go anywhere except work.

My anxiety is through the roof. But 🤷🏻‍♀️

_orchid_ · November 2020

Like a lot of you, we're taking this very seriously. Living a bit looser than we were in March as we will do our own grocery shopping and maybe once or twice a month will go into other stores. Also sending DS2 to daycare a few days a week bc it's been hard to balance his needs while we're both working at home and helping DS1 with virtual school. No restaurants or seeing people indoors. One friend has come into our house a few times, but she lives on her own and literally sees no one else.
We're about 15 miles outside of NYC and a mile away from a hospital, so we got hit bad in the spring and heard sirens non-stop. I remember seeing 3 ambulances with lights on during one 5 minute trip to pick up groceries in April, thats how crazy it was. Sirens are starting to pick up again and I get anxiety when I hear them.
We have a beloved family member that is permanently handicapped and has major health issues from a virus he got as a child (one of the major ones that people are vaccinated for now). There is so much unknown about the long-term effects of this virus that we don't want our children to get it. We will all be getting the vaccine ASAP.
We are not seeing family for the holidays, and have only seen friends who are taking precautions, and then we've only spent time with them outdoors. It sucks and I miss normal life. Trying to keep things fun and support DS1's emotional and social needs has been hard.
Haven't thought to June yet, I'll have a RCS and I'm hoping DH will be able to be in the room for the surgery. Anticipating spending the rest of the hospital time alone as DH will be with the other kids. Right now DH is not allowed to come to any appointments.
Thinking of all the FTMs who are going through this experience right now. I'm here if you have any questions or if you need to vent!

_orchid_ · November 2020

@mamakate2011 I hope you are feeling ok! Crossing my fingers that no one else in the house gets it and that your case is mild. Rest, rest, rest!

legallykate · November 2020

@mamakate2011 So sorry, that is so scary that you got it despite being so safe. I hope you have a quick recovery and the rest of your household stays healthy

lizalovespasha · November 2020

@ellieemc26 What parenting classes do you do online? Have you started yet? How do you like them? Another FTM here, I could use all the help I can get.

ruemcclanahan · November 2020

Well shit my brother was exposed. Waiting on his test result but freaking out 😭

ellieemc26 · November 2020

@lizalovespasha I haven't signed up for any of the classes yet, they're recommended to start later in pregnancy but they're all offered through the hospital. They have a variety of classes from traditional childbirth prep (which looks pretty standard and I saw at a few different places) to more specialized classes for specific interests/needs. I would check the website for the hospital your doctor delivers at to see what they offer. I'll probably take everything I can, as a FTM I need all the help I can get!

@angelz429 my guy also suffers from anxiety, dealing with Covid has been really hard him and I agree that you need to do what you have to do to manage that. I've tried to convince mine to go back on meds, but he's really opposed to it. He also plays sports to help manage - just golf and tennis which are both considered reasonably safe but it does put you into contact with people. And to be fair I play tennis too so we're both risking that one. Its tough, but we need to be healthy on all fronts.

@ruemcclanahan I hope your brother's test comes back negative!

mindyb2019 · November 2020

@ruemcclanahan oh no!! I hope your brothers test comes back negative.

llamamamawearspajamapants · November 2020

@lizalovespasha I found 7 months along was the sweet spot last time around. If you’re looking for virtual BirthEd (based in MN or Central time) offers virtual classes. We took their Lamaze/ natural childbirth class last time and it was awesome!

@ellieemc26 where do you live that you’re playing tennis? I’m so jealous!

ellieemc26 · November 2020

@llamamamawearspajamapants I live in the Denver area. If its over 40 and dry, courts are open!

angelz429 · November 2020

I work at our local VA and we’re going to be getting vaccines as early as next month (public in January or February I was told)

are you guys planning on the vaccine?

im going to talk to my ob, bc I’m wondering if I hold off until delivery?

_orchid_ · November 2020

@angelz429 I'm going to talk to my ob. If it's like the flu shot and the tdap and my ob wants me to get it so that some immunity passes to baby, I will do it. Otherwise I'll do it after delivery.

mc0303 · November 2020

Earlier this year, my OB told me to get KU so I could get the vaccine early 🤣 So I’m guessing he’s gonna be on board. I’ll talk to him next time about it.

laurad75 · November 2020

I'm also planning to discuss with my OB but I'm curious to what other's doctors say too.

Omie_Wise · November 2020

I just signed up for a study to monitor outcomes of covid + and covid - pregnancies. I’ll have to give blood a couple times during the pregnancy, share my medical records, and fill out some post pregnancy surveys. Here’s the study if anyone is interested: https://aspire.ucsf.edu/

tilournextadventure · November 2020

This vaccine I'm hesitant with. I will definitely have a conversation with the ob to discuss. But there is not enough data about the virus that I can be on board with taking this vaccine.

laurad75 · November 2020

@Omie_Wise I'm in the same study!

ellieemc26 · November 2020

I'm very curious to hear what everyone's OBs say about the vaccine as well. I'm absolutely pro-vaccine but I can't help but feel a bit nervous about something brand new that probably hasn't been tested on pregnant women.

akoros · November 2020

I'm going to ask my OB. If I weren't pregnant I'd totally get it, but since there's not much known yet on how it affects pregnant women I may hold off. Work is flexible and it'll take time to roll out anyway, so I can hunker down a bit longer if necessary.

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