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I am lying on my back with an ultrasound monitor in front of me. No matter how many times I have laid here the last couple of months, the fear for my baby always gets the better of me. With just a month away from my due date, I frantically clutch my husband’s hands hoping everything is fine. My husband gives me a feeble but genuine smile. The soft hue of the walls and the breeze through the window does very little to calm my nerves.
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As I lay there partially naked with my exposed belly, the gynecologist rushes in and enthusiastically greets my husband and I. “Excited to see your baby?” my gyno waits for my reaction. I give her a big smile and utter yes. The cold from the lubricating jelly on my bare stomach makes me slightly jerk from my seat. She resumes the scan by rubbing the gel on my belly and briefly pauses to look at the monitor. The doctor then reassures me that everything looks great and we breathe a sigh of relief.
Baby Preparations Amidst Covid-19
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Walking back to our car, we discuss making various arrangements for our baby’s arrival. With only 4 weeks to go, we are yet to stock up on all the essentials such as diapers, bottles, onesies, and other baby products. The last few weeks have been especially stressful with the government imposed lockdown. And not being able to step out of the house to buy anything other than groceries has halted all our plans on decorating the baby room and buying a crib. But now that there has been some relaxation and online deliveries back in full swing, we have decided to do our bit of shopping online. Though I have never been a fan of online shopping before (because it deprives you of the joy of the real shopping experience), I’m slowly getting to understand why people are obsessed with it. Some days I spend 4 to 5 hours in front of it and completely lose track of time. So, we managed to buy everything from rompers, onesies, socks, bottles, crib, and blankets to a breast pump, nursing bra, maternity pads, and other accessories for my hospital bag.
Even with the relaxation in lockdown rules and malls and bakeries opening up, my husband and I restrict going outside as much as possible. Stepping out only to buy essentials from our nearby local stores, my husband is usually the one doing the weekly purchase with me rarely accompanying him once in a while when I feel too suffocated and need some fresh air. Believe me, it’s nice to take a break from sitting at home wondering why you had to engage in unprotected intercourse after watching the news all day long.
Living In A Cocoon
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I had envisioned how my last few weeks of pregnancy would be ever since I saw those two pink lines on my pregnancy kit. Our days filled with long romantic dates of movie nights ending with sumptuous meals at our favorite restaurant. Instead, here we are, my husband in his sweats and I in my pajamas binge-watching our favorite series on a Saturday afternoon. I have cherished these last few months the most for having a wonderful man by my side who constantly tells me how beautiful I look 5 minutes after I have screamed and yelled at him for not getting the right flavor of ice cream I can stuff my face with at 12 in the morning.
Of course staying at home also meant I couldn’t go for long walks in the park, but instead had to make do with walking inside the house and my building’s yard. I also kept myself active by doing prenatal yoga which thankfully I got the approval of from my gynecologist way before the world turned upside down.
Welcoming A Baby During A Pandemic
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Giving birth during such a strange time went a lot more smoothly than I had expected. Yes, my husband and I had to wear masks throughout the whole time, and the hospital staff also took precautionary and safety measures, including taking a swab test to ensure that I wasn’t a threat to anybody else admitted in the hospital. Apart from a few minor roadblocks, I’m most thankful that I was able to give birth to a healthy and happy baby.
Sitting in front of the hospital in a wheelchair with my baby, I was relieved as well as excited to start this new journey of my life. It feels like just yesterday when I came to this hospital for my first prenatal appointment. So much has changed in the world in the last couple of months, but I’m truly grateful for embracing motherhood, pandemic, or not.
