Is being pregnant right now scary? Are you terrified of giving birth at a time like this? How will you protect your newborn? Are you considering an at home birth?
I've gotten so many of these questions over the last couple of weeks. So here you go: I'm anxious. I'm scared of the unknown. I would be lying if I said it hasn't kept me up at night. But I'm also trusting. Trusting in God and my health-care providers.
It is stressful to know I could go into labor at any moment, not knowing what my hospital's latest visitation policy is. The policies are constantly updating and I am certain this new baby will not get to meet its brothers until we are home. That's fine, but I do pray that things do not get worse.
I can't imagine giving birth without my husband by my side. I have friends who have recently gone through this. It's scary to think about. Thankfully, Penrose-St. Francis has not had to enact a policy that strict...yet.
Please, please take the stay-at-home order seriously folks. I am sad that we don't know when our family will get to meet "Brick" and that I won't have the help of my mom and sisters postpartum. In fact, I'm torn on who will even watch the boys when I go to the hospital.
So yes, there is a lot of worry up in the air. But praying puts me at peace. Knowing our baby is growing and healthy puts me at peace. Will my birth plan go exactly how I imagine it? Probably not, but I am confident in my doctor and healthcare providers.
We have to remember they are doing everything they can to help us all through this. They are literally putting their lives on the line to save ours.
At home births are a hot topic right now. I have a whole circle of ladies around me who are considering it. At one point I was considering it. In many cities, hospitals are overrun and going there to give birth means more people touching you and your baby.
An at-home birth is not for me. I totally respect the women who do it, but I personally am more at ease being in a hospital environment (and definitely more at ease knowing I can get an epidural haha).
I try not to let the unknown continually swirl around in my head, but I do think about the possibility of me or the baby becoming infected. There’s currently no evidence that a pregnant person can transmit the virus to the baby during pregnancy or birth. There’s also no evidence that the virus passes through breast milk.
However, once he or she is born they are obviously susceptible to it. How do you protect them? What if I get infected? I plan to breastfeed. There goes that. Ugh, here I go again, letting my mind wander down a rabbit hole of projection.
I struggle whether it's a good thing to think of all the scenarios or whether it's creating unneeded anxiety.
Things are evolving quickly, birth policies are changing, so talk with your OB-GYN or midwife. For me, it has been one of the most reassuring things.
If you have questions about how I'm able to handle a busy work and home life, join my Facebook Group - Brie and Baby Three to get involved in the conversation.
You can also reach me on my Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram. Or email if you prefer - brie.groves@koaa.com.
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