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When the news of my pregnancy came, I was thrilled. My husband and I were trying for over a year, and we were finally going to be parents. We are big on the traditions and were keen on following them. We decided to go to every doctor’s appointment together and take every pregnancy class that a couple should. We had no clue how these things would change for us as a result of a global pandemic. We did not even think of it because we were so focused on getting through nine months of pregnancy. But let me tell you, things changed. Drastically.
Several hospitals had the policy that only those with appointments could enter the building. Emergencies were allowed, but no one could accompany a patient to their appointments. This was quite disappointing because I had to go for my ultrasounds all by myself. During the last few months of my pregnancy, my husband missed coming with me because he wasn’t allowed. Those precious moments that we were supposed to experience together were taken away from us, thanks to the pandemic.
My husband was disheartened because he could not be a part of the eventful experiences, and so was I. We were having our first baby and were supposed to share the experience, but this pivotal period of our lives was rewritten entirely because of the protocols.
Another major concern that every pregnant woman has during this time is the safety and protection of the baby from the virus. I was terrified that my baby would contract the virus, and it made me so anxious. To top it all off, my husband was not allowed to be by my side, which only made matters worse.
Pregnancy can be a lonely experience because of the kind of changes your body goes through. You’re hormonal, which can affect your daily moods and make you cranky and irritable. But becoming a mother during a pandemic is a whole other story. The few things you get to share with your partner are taken away from you, and that can make you feel isolated. I got through my third trimester and successfully overcame my hurdles. But this was the real test — getting through labor without my husband by my side.
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It was a scary thought, but I knew there was no way around it. I had to mask up and be thoroughly sanitized before they took me to the labor room. My doctor had to wear goggles, masks, and a PPE kit before she entered my room. It was different and made me uncomfortable. However, I was in too much pain to realize anything else, and before I knew it, my little one was born.
Newborn babies are prone to infections, and doctors recommend limiting the number of people who visit them. Even during regular times, this was the case. So, can you possibly imagine how stringent the guidelines were during a pandemic? My parents and sister were not allowed to visit. I stayed in the hospital for six days after my delivery and had to undergo extra tests and observations to ensure my baby, and I are safe and healthy.
It was quite daunting to have to go through this process alone. I felt isolated and was afraid. My husband would video call me every two hours depending on my feeding schedule, but it was not the same. He was allowed to meet our baby only on the day I was being discharged from the hospital. It was quite a sad and weird scene. Everyone from my family eagerly waited to meet the baby, which was only possible after two whole months. We were afraid to expose our baby to many people, so we requested them to hold off on the visit for a while.
I’m grateful that my baby is healthy, but I wish I had my husband by my side through the process. It was scary and isolating, and honestly, I wouldn’t wish it on anyone!
