Birth in a Pandemic

In light of Maxwell's first birthday on Friday, here is our birth story. 

 

My birth was definitely not what I had planned.

I had been having weekly NSTs (Non Stress Tests) and ultrasounds the last trimester of my pregnancy since I had a miscarriage previously and endometriosis and they wanted to make sure everything was okay. Also Maxwell had a two vessel cord rather than a three vessel and was measuring pretty small so I was considered a bit more high risk. 

When I went in for my weekly NST and ultrasound at 39 weeks, I was really nervous because I wasn't able to have the ultrasound because the tech had to stay home with her kids because schools and daycares just closed for the year. I was already nervous because of how the world was changing so quickly.

We were supposed to get an ultrasound to see how big he was measuring and if it would be safe to schedule an induction so we could be sure my doctor would be able to be there.

 

A few days later at 39 weeks, I felt contractions in bed around midnight. I tracked my contractions for about an hour before I woke up my husband. I went to the bathroom and after I stood up from the toilet, I felt like I peed my pants. I was confused and sat back down again. when I stood up again I felt another small gush. it wasn't a GUSH like you see in the movies, it honestly felt like I just sneeze-peed. hahah.

I was confused band obviously hopped on Google and looked up if it was my water breaking or the baby bouncing on my bladder. I came to the conclusion that it was my water breaking because my contractions were closer and closer and becoming more painful. I then woke up my husband and we took the kids out of bed at around 1 am. we packed up the van and drove to the hospital in the freak snowstorm. When we got there, they told us the kids weren’t allowed inside the hospital at all.

That’s when I started to panic.

 

They took me back to triage and because my parents weren’t there yet, my husband had to wait in the car with our other kids until they got there to take them to their house. (my parent live 45 minutes away plus it was in the middle of the night so it took quite some time for them to get there.)

 

I was contracting pretty bad at this point and I wanted... no, NEEDED Michael by my side. I was in a panic! Not only would my kids not be allowed to see their brother until we got back home but I was afraid thinking, what if things progress too fast and I have this baby ALONE!?

 

Luckily after they took me into a room, Michael was able to come back with me once my parents got there to take the kids. My anxiety ended.  We played soft soothing music by JJ Heller (her voice is magic and calms me and the nurses in the delivery room commented on how peaceful the room was) and we waited out the contractions together.

 

I asked about my doctor and if she was going to be able to make it but since she went traveling recently before the lockdown started, she was still quarantining and they said she would not be able to come. That was so stressful because she delivered both of my other children, knows my history of miscarriages and I have a personal relationship with her so I trust her.  I hated the fact that I’d have to have a stranger down there plus having someone who didn't know my medical history was stressful. But there isn’t much I could do about it.

 

Michael was amazing though. He encouraged me, held my hand through each contraction, told me scripture and lifted me up. I could not have done it without him.

 

I told them I wanted an epidural right away (I’ve done this twice. I know what it feels like. I don’t need to experience the pain for longer than necessary. Lol) and we were super fortunate because the anesthesiologist was still on campus  because of the snowstorm so within 15 minutes, he was there and giving me my MUCH needed drugs. A few minutes later, I was already 10 cm dilated however the epidural wasn’t working yet!!

 

Here came the panic again!!

 

They said I could hold off a few minutes to see if it would kick in soon but told me there’s a chance I wouldn't be fully numb.

 

Now for some of you moms who have done natural births... I applaud you. you are a superstar... but I had never had to experience birth without medication so I was in full panic mode. 

I prayed and prayed that it would work faster and Michael calmed me down saying I’m stronger than I think and I can do it.

I repeated that mantra, that I was able to do this and it calmed me. 

 

Luckily the epidural kicked into gear and I was completely numb. THANK THE LORD!!

 

I don’t know how long it was exactly but after around an hour of pushing, I looked down and THERE HE WAS! I didn’t feel him come out because I was numb and I had a mini heart attack when I saw him because HE WAS SO SMALL!!! And that’s the first thing I said when I saw him too!!

 

"HE'S SO TINY!!"

 

I was in pure bliss since he arrived. I didn't have the postpartum depression this time around and even though I was exhausted 100% of the time because I had two other kids to take care of and homeschool (definitely did not anticipate the distance learning thing), I was positive and took each day one day at a time with a smile.

 

Delivering in a pandemic definitely was not in my birth plan and it was stressful as ever but the thing I had to remember is that I was leaving the hospital with my baby one way or another so it really didn't matter HOW he came into this world, just the fact that he would be in my arms soon was enough for me. 

 

Did you birth in a pandemic?

How did it go for you?

Comment below.

 

xoxo,

Abigail.

6 comments

  • I gave birth November 23, 2020! The hospital where I planned to birth was under staffed and over booked. In order to ensure than I could give birth there I was pretty much forced to induce once I hit 40 weeks. My baby wasn’t ready to come and actually moved several cm back up during the induction process. At 10 cm dilated I had to wait through contractions for 3 hours in hopes he’d move low enough to push efficiently. He didn’t, and after 5 hours of stubborn pushing I was forced to consent to an emergency c section. The stress of pushing so long and then the operation caused my son to wheeze when first breathing so he had to spend his first day in the Nicu to recover. Definitely not how I imagined my labor and delivery would go.. I’m still sad about it and have mom guilt 7 months later that it didn’t go differently. But at least he’s healthy and strong :)

    Hannah
  • I also gave birth in the pandemic, May 2020. The thought that I would go home with my first baby despite everything else going on in the world was so comforting! My partner was with me for the actual birth but I had to stay in for 2 more days and my partner wasn’t able to visit or see baby at all. It was really sad that he wasn’t able to cuddle or even see his baby for a whole weekend but it’s in the past and now they are best friends 😊

    Charlotte
  • Yes, really. It was and with me.

    Aaronbib
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    Allenareft
  • Come read my experience I just posted this week! @thomas_kaylie

    Kaylie Thomas

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