We’re almost a year into the pandemic now, but that doesn’t make it any easier – if anything, living with restrictions is harder now than it was at the start. And that’s especially true if you’re currently pregnant.
For pregnant women, the pandemic comes with so many added worries at what is already an anxious time. From going to hospital appointments alone to planning for labour in an unknown environment (will your partner be able to join you? Will your birth choices be affected?), there’s so much to process that it can feel overwhelming. And that’s before we even think about how to celebrate being pregnant and all the joy it brings when we’re not able to see our friends and family! It’s a minefield, for sure.
But there are plenty of things you can do to make things more manageable, and there are celebrations to be had in lockdown times. Here are some ideas to help your pandemic pregnancy feel more ‘normal’.
Stay informed
Having all the information to hand and keeping on top of your research is reassuring in any pregnancy but especially during pandemic times when guidelines keep changing, it’s essential. It might feel like the last thing you want to do when you’re tired and hormonal, but make sure you’re kept in the loop about your hospital’s partner admission policy for scans and labour. Understand your birth choices and ask the questions you need to be firm in your decisions. Make sure your partner knows your preferences and is ready to advocate for you if you’re unable to speak up.
Don’t get overloaded
Being informed is one thing but delving too deeply into your pregnancy research can be upsetting. There are lots of opinions out there – especially online – and reading them all is just too much. If you find yourself doom-scrolling through pandemic pregnancy tales that make you feel anxious and upset, stop right there. Keep your research to the things you want and need to know, but don’t get lost in the Mumsnet forums. Speak to your friends and family, talk it through with your partner and midwife… leave the anon comments alone!
Say yes to a baby shower
Being pregnant during a pandemic can be so lonely – we’re all cut off from friends and family, and when you’re vulnerable and nervous about what’s to come that can be even harder. But don’t let your worries stop you from finding things to celebrate… ok, so you can’t have an IRL baby shower at your favourite restaurant, but you can surround yourself with loved ones, balloons, tiny cakes, games and presents! Let your best people take care of the organisation then sit back and enjoy being showered with love.
Seek out online groups
Antenatal classes are such a great source of information, reassurance and friendship when you’re pregnant – things like NCT, NHS classes, pregnancy yoga and local coffee groups give you the chance to meet people going through the same things as you, ask advice in a safe space and take time to focus on yourself and your baby. In pandemic times, the real-life versions of these things aren’t accessible… but luckily, many of them have moved online. It’s not quite the same, but you’ll get that face-to-face interaction with people who understand exactly what it’s like to be pregnant during these times, which is invaluable.
Be kind to yourself
Our last piece of advice for expectant mothers in 2021 is this – be kind to yourself. Pregnancy is a difficult time whenever you’re going through it, but the last year has been like no other and women have been hit harder than anyone. Allow yourself time to feel sad about the proper baby shower you won’t have, the maternity leave spent inside the house and the scans faced alone. Speak to your partner and midwife about your worries and fears, no matter how big or small. Keep in touch with your friends, seek out friendly forums and likeminded Instagram accounts. Treat yourself whenever you can, because this journey is hard.
And remember – at the end of your pandemic pregnancy, there’s a little baby waiting to be loved.
