https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 05 Apr 2026 09:27:18 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-in-the-time-of-covid-19#post-2913956 Tue, 14 Apr 2020 17:08:44 +0000 JennyPenny 2913956@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Baby girl is here! I had a scheduled c-section this morning and so far I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the experience. I don’t feel like my care has been compromised in any way and I feel quite safe. Since we were brought to recovery we’ve only seen our 2 nurses, 1 pediatrician, and the staff that deliver meals. It’s actually been really nice not having any visitors at all. With my first 2 we had a ton of people visiting us in the hospital, so this is very relaxing. I do miss my older kids, but I think it’ll be super sweet when we’re all reunited again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-in-the-time-of-covid-19#post-2913918 Tue, 14 Apr 2020 05:46:35 +0000 Becky 2913918@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JennyPenny: This is one of the biggest things for me too. The timing of my pregnancy means I was going to deliver the last week of school and go back to work the first week of school. I was excited to spend all of that time with my 4 and 6 year old, and we had all these ideas for (easy) things to do like visiting each grandma once per week, going to the community pool and library once per week, and spending tons of time at the playground. Now it's going to be really hard to just shift from what we're already doing (although at the end of June things will hopefully have loosened up a bit so we can at least see more family). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-in-the-time-of-covid-19#post-2913860 Mon, 13 Apr 2020 14:39:06 +0000 JennyPenny 2913860@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@maybebaby: the change in maternity leave was one of the first things I grieved too. I was so looking forward to a beautiful spring with just me and my baby girl most days. Hopefully enjoying the ease that comes with doing this for a 3rd time. Now I’ll be managing a 5 year old with distance learning requirements and a 3 yr old who has decided the quarantine is time to drop nap. My days are definitely not going to look how I had imagined. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-in-the-time-of-covid-19#post-2913858 Mon, 13 Apr 2020 14:19:02 +0000 maybebaby 2913858@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1. Your due date - May 10, 4 weeks away!<br /> 2. Your location/state - Boston, MA area<br /> 3. How have your OB visits changed? - last app was Telehealth but 37 week apt this week will be in person for group B strep and to confirm position of baby.<br /> 4. Have you changed how you are preparing for birth (online childbirth classes, doulas, etc)? 3rd kid so hadn't planned on any of those things but I do think I will find some kind of online birth refresher in the event I have to do this alone, for peace of mind in remembering what to do.<br /> 5. How is your hospital handling birth/labor and delivery right now? 1 support person who cannot leave and will get meals (usually they'd have to buy from caf), no visitors.<br /> 6. Have you talked to your pediatrician about what visits will look like? No, but a good idea to do so.<br /> 7. Anything else! Grateful for health and home but really prematurely mourning loss of maternity leave with big kids (4.5 &amp; 7) in school so I can focus on this baby. Out of my control though so I need to accept the reality. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-in-the-time-of-covid-19#post-2913857 Mon, 13 Apr 2020 14:16:41 +0000 Becky 2913857@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JennyPenny: Good luck!!! My SIL just had her C-section on Thursday at 10am and came home Saturday (so 2-night stay). She said all of the hospital staff were great and she felt safe despite having a ton of anxiety going into it. </p> <p>Also I learned nitrous isn’t being used right now because it may increase the movement of droplets throughout the air in a room. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-in-the-time-of-covid-19#post-2913856 Mon, 13 Apr 2020 13:39:32 +0000 JennyPenny 2913856@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JennyLayneAZ: that reminds me of another thing! Our hospital used to have a guy who would check the safety of your carseat install, and you had to get his sign off before you could leave. But the L&amp;D nurses said he's not doing it anymore so I have no idea what to expect in terms of car seat checks. I'd really like someone to see that we did it all correctly because we put in 3 across for the first time and it'd be nice to have an expert sign off. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-in-the-time-of-covid-19#post-2913854 Mon, 13 Apr 2020 13:24:57 +0000 JennyLayneAZ 2913854@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JennyPenny: same with my hospital, ever changing rules =confusion for hospital staff too. My hospital made dh go back to the car and bring the carseat base inside with us abd all the nurses were confused as to why we were all carrying in the bases. So I told them that they made us bring it in. They assume it's so that if the baby has to do a car seat challenge then we'd need the base to do so. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-in-the-time-of-covid-19#post-2913848 Mon, 13 Apr 2020 12:10:50 +0000 JennyPenny 2913848@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh, and another interesting thing I've noticed is that since things are changing so rapidly, its hard to get the same answers from people. I did a webinar from L&amp;D nurses at my hospital which is where the info about DH not leaving and masks came from, but that was news to my OB and even to the people from the pre-op department at the hospital! I am super grateful that the L&amp;D nurses did that webinar because I would be missing a lot of info otherwise. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-in-the-time-of-covid-19#post-2913834 Mon, 13 Apr 2020 10:32:45 +0000 JennyPenny 2913834@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My scheduled c-section is tomorrow! I am so ready to have (at least some of) the worrying and waiting done with. So far the changes I've experienced are:<br /> - pre-op appt at the hospital was cancelled. They gave me instructions over the phone and I just did a drive by to pick up a special electrolyte drink and antibacterial soap<br /> - DH is allowed, but may not leave the building at all. We have to bring everything in with us when we check in. It does sound like he'd be allowed to receive a delivery though<br /> - We'll receive a mask to wear whenever we're in the hall or working with providers<br /> - There is no policy about getting people discharged early, but they are trying to speed things along when possible. So we may be there 2-3 or nights (3 is usually the standard for us)</p> <p>Right now I'm just really grateful that my state and especially my county did a phenomenal job of flattening the curve. We have under 500 cases total in my county, no deaths and 2 fantastic large hospitals. So I don't feel like my hospitals are as overwhelmed as many, or as bad as they were initially predicting which is a huge relief. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-in-the-time-of-covid-19#post-2913361 Sat, 04 Apr 2020 09:34:11 +0000 Becky 2913361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JennyPenny: I definitely got hit hard with seasonal allergies this morning so I’m hoping that’s what everyone has! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-in-the-time-of-covid-19#post-2913332 Fri, 03 Apr 2020 19:17:14 +0000 JennyPenny 2913332@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetCaroline: I honestly thought I was doing pretty good until this afternoon. I started disallowing my kids to play with their neighbors a week ago and it has been really hard on all of us. I went for a solo walk this afternoon and came back to find that DH had let them go play because he didn’t think it was “worth enforcing.” I started out so mad but then broke down crying while I was cooking dinner. It made me realize how hard it is to be able to control nothing and be worried about so many possibilities. I’ve been trying to just take it one day at a time and do what I can but that sent me over the edge with how futile all my efforts could be. Sigh.</p> <p>@Becky: eeek, that would have me so nervous. I hope everything magically clears up soon and you can dismiss it all as random 😬 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-in-the-time-of-covid-19#post-2913297 Fri, 03 Apr 2020 13:02:31 +0000 Becky 2913297@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I found out my pediatrician has opened a separate entrance just for newborns which is great. </p> <p>I’m feeling pretty confident in how they are handling labor and delivery here amid the soaring cases. A few people have posted on Facebook recently, including one who had to deliver alone since her husband needed to stay with their other kids. She said the staff at the hospital was so kind. </p> <p>I know some people have expressed concern about not delivering with a provider they know. Something I wish I had known before my first birth is that you barely see the doctor/midwife. If I had known this, I likely wouldn’t have ended up with an induction. </p> <p>In not so positive news my husband isn’t feeling well and both my children were hacking up a lung this morning. One has a very low grade fever. I’m having some stomach issues which isn’t unusual for me. If we somehow have it, it would be a miraculous case of community transmission since we are so limited in contact with the outside world (I go to the grocery store once every 1.5 weeks and it isn’t crowded at all). So we are monitoring closely and crossing our fingers we don’t have it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-in-the-time-of-covid-19#post-2913282 Fri, 03 Apr 2020 08:27:00 +0000 SweetCaroline 2913282@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How are you guys doing today? I had several really good days but am feeling sad and weepy today. Making it a point to go for a walk at lunchtime and quitting work at 4pm and getting outside again.</p> <p>I ordered a baby scale yesterday so I don't have to stress about leaving the house for weight checks. Will probably sew some masks this weekend so I have something for my 36 week appointment and delivery. At least that will feel productive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-in-the-time-of-covid-19#post-2913150 Tue, 31 Mar 2020 19:12:04 +0000 MrsJBeeG 2913150@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Becky: I do think of our little boy that we lost who would be 9 months old right now. But to be honest, I think of him regardless of the pandemic. It would be stressful to have him and be worrying about the pandemic so on some sense for me, being pregnant seems easier than dealing with an almost 1 year old during this time. Because my research indicates my rainbow girl is probably safer now inside me during this pandemic than being born and exposed to it. but that’s likely a coping mechanism for me. We all deal with this however we need to - there isn’t a wrong way in this uncertain time having a newborn or being pregnant - if you ask me </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-in-the-time-of-covid-19#post-2913149 Tue, 31 Mar 2020 19:10:10 +0000 JennyPenny 2913149@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetCaroline: I really appreciate your response, and your ramble. That’s how my brain feels and I feel like I just needed to let it out. With the quarantine I’m not even seeing most of the people I’d ramble to either. When I have perspective, I know everything I should be grateful for and I know that I’m just mourning yet another change in plans, and loss of something expected, even loss of calm and security. And there’s so much worse things to mourn or have lost right now. But when I don’t have that calm perspective I’m just angry at how much harder it has been to get this baby home healthy than it feels like it ought to have been. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-in-the-time-of-covid-19#post-2913144 Tue, 31 Mar 2020 16:17:09 +0000 SweetCaroline 2913144@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JennyPenny: I do think about what if we didn't have a loss. I'd have a 5 month old and it would be rough working from home with baby and 5 year old. I also think that it's complete BS that we went through months of being monitored for cancer, then a loss, now looking at birth in a pandemic. Yet others just have a baby completely uneventfully. I know I'm generalizing and irrational...Basically a pity party that I don't let myself get too far into. I'm also bitter that I'm not due right now, there are only 7 cases in my county and I'm terrified what 7 weeks will do. Could be good, could be bad.</p> <p>When we had our loss DH told me that someday, we would have a baby that we otherwise never would have met if it weren't for our angel baby, who I believe I will meet someday. So, I'm just doing my best to keep my eyes on this rainbow baby. My favorite moment to picture is when they put him on my chest after he is born. I really hope we are clear from COVID and I get to experience that moment.</p> <p>Sorry for the ramble. Rough day in the WFH/solo parenting trenches today. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-in-the-time-of-covid-19#post-2913139 Tue, 31 Mar 2020 13:52:12 +0000 Mrs. Marshmallow 2913139@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Becky: yes I am still allowed in our region. Some places are not allowing them anymore because they can't control the safety for the midwife. My midwife said I would need to decide by end of April if I'd like to move forward with a home birth. So I'll continue to monitor the outbreak in our area and go from there. I have basically three plans... </p> <p>1. VBAC at a hospital 45 minutes away in a bigger hospital (more exposure potential)<br /> 2. Home birth<br /> 3. Scheduled c-section at my small local hospital </p> <p>If things get really bad or I don't feel safe going to the larger hospital I will decide between home birth and c-section. I am really hoping that by end of May things are looking more positive but who knows at this point. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-in-the-time-of-covid-19#post-2913135 Tue, 31 Mar 2020 13:30:25 +0000 Becky 2913135@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Marshmallow: Out of curiosity because I don't know how maternity and childbirth work in Canada, but are you able to get a midwife to assist a home birth right now? Everyone here is totally booked up! </p> <p>It sounds like it's pretty across the board that only the pregnant woman is allowed at the OB/midwife office. It was reassuring that there was no one else sitting in the waiting room at my appointment Monday (there are usually some dads or grandmas). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-in-the-time-of-covid-19#post-2913131 Tue, 31 Mar 2020 12:50:00 +0000 Mrs. Marshmallow 2913131@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Delivering later:<br /> 1. Your due date May 27<br /> 2. Your location/state Ontario<br /> 3. How have your OB visits changed? - yes my midwives will only see my five times in my 3rd trimester and twice postpartum unless something changes, my OB consult is this week, still in person. My midwife visits are mom only, 15 minutes, then midwife calls later to go over stuff.<br /> 4. Have you changed how you are preparing for birth (online childbirth classes, doulas, etc)? Actually considering home VBAC birth depending on how OB consult goes, and how things continue to unfold<br /> 5. How is your hospital handling birth/labor and delivery right now? Won't know til Thursday<br /> 6. Have you talked to your pediatrician about what visits will look like? Not yet<br /> 7. Anything else! Thankful to have this thread of support, I am feeling better coming up with a few contingency plans. Week 1 in isolation I cried 3-5 times a day. Feeling better last 1.5 weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-in-the-time-of-covid-19#post-2913130 Tue, 31 Mar 2020 12:29:48 +0000 JennyPenny 2913130@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsJBeeG: @SweetCaroline: For those of you that mentioned this being a rainbow baby, do you find yourself wondering how it would have been different with the pregnancies you lost? I lost a baby that would have been born in Sep 2019, and had a CP that would have had a March due date. I find myself constantly wondering how this situation would have been different if either of those pregnancies had been healthy. In the first scenario I'd have a 6 month old and have totally avoided a lot of this stress, though I'd also be trying to WFH with a 6 month old and that sounds TOUGH. In the other I'd have delivered probably last week, maybe earlier in March, and like other ladies have mentioned, gotten in just under the wire of a lot of this stress. I know it's useless to image those scenarios and I'm so so grateful for this healthy rainbow. But the what-ifs and all the "should have"s that I thought I'd gotten past are suddenly surfacing again :-/ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-in-the-time-of-covid-19#post-2913126 Tue, 31 Mar 2020 11:20:21 +0000 MrsJBeeG 2913126@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1. Due date is 6/23.<br /> 2 location - WA<br /> 3. On visits - not allowed anyone with me during visits, screening at the entrance before coming in. I’m seen at a clinic inside a major hospital due to being high risk. But the clinic is doing all the blood work for patients rather than sending to lab, so things were streamlined a bit today at my 28 week visit. They are considering once a week ultrasounds rather than twice a weeks NSTs starting at 36 weeks if there are still hospital restrictions at that time.<br /> 4. I was scheduled for in person prenatal care classes and breastfeeding classes - right now they just pushed them to later may - don’t know what I’ll will do as FTM if the classes are cancelled and not offered in another forum.<br /> 5. I’m at a major hospital and will still deliver at it. The Hospital is allowing one support person and no other visitors. That’s how DH and I planned this birth so that doesn’t impact me too much. I’ll have to find out if he’s allowed to come and go or if hospital stay will be reduced but i am hopeful in 12 weeks this virus may be a bit more under control and so things may change yet again.<br /> 6. Don’t have a pediatrician yet, will talk to my doctor about that next visit at 32 weeks.<br /> 7. Just trying to stay healthy and calm in uncertain times and focused on the joy having having a much wanted and longed for rainbow baby! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-in-the-time-of-covid-19#post-2913120 Tue, 31 Mar 2020 05:07:02 +0000 Shantuck 2913120@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Already Delivered:</p> <p>1. Your delivery date: March 11th<br /> 2. Your state/location: Chicago, IL<br /> 3. Did you prepare differently for this hospital visit? Ex. Did you pack anything different? No, I delivered right as everything was getting started.<br /> 4. Your delivery experience in relation to COVID (pre-screening, number of support persons allowed, how long you stayed in the hospital, etc.): I was allowed 2 support persons at birth (same rule as always). My older kids were not allowed to visit in the hospital this time but apparently that was influenza related and not covid-19 related. My OB suggested trying to go home 24 hours after birth to get out of the germ filled hospital but my son’s pediatrician wouldn’t approve it because I was GBS positive and had only time for one round of antibiotics before delivering.<br /> 5. Have you been advised to isolate for 14 days (or other amount of time) after the birth? How are you managing this if you have other children? A statewide shelter in place was announced just after I arrived home from the hospital and school / daycare was closed for my older two while we were at the hospital. Things have been chaotic with having all three kids home and needing care/elearning/etc.<br /> 6. Are your pediatric visits different than they typically would be (fewer, telehealth, etc.)? There are no changes to our pediatric appointments other than the pediatrician has a designated newborn room and we are immediately usher back to the room rather than waiting in the waiting room. </p> <p>I feel like my childbirth experience was on the tail end of normal. All of the craziness seemed to be unfolding while I was at the hospital. I feel fortunate to have delivered when I did. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-in-the-time-of-covid-19#post-2913119 Tue, 31 Mar 2020 03:45:37 +0000 Becky 2913119@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetCaroline: That is so tricky with the 1.5 hour away hospital. But hopefully since it is your second an induction would go smoothly. Something I had planned to do anyway once I decided against a homebirth (which I try not to think about now) was to brush up on what to do if my baby is born at home since I had such a fast second labor. This involves things like knowing what supplies to grab, but also having a plan for calling 911 because they will talk you through it. For me it’s helpful to keep in mind that the vast majority of deliveries are without complication. </p> <p>Really good point about leaving DH behind if you’re COVID-suspect. My SIL is considering sending my 3 y/o niece to stay with my in laws for 2 weeks after she has the baby because she’s concerned about bringing it home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-in-the-time-of-covid-19#post-2913118 Tue, 31 Mar 2020 03:33:14 +0000 Becky 2913118@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@earthling: That is really interesting about the pooling of practitioners. I wonder if we will begin to see more of that elsewhere. I know they’re not doing it here yet but I feel like that would be comforting to know the OB/midwife you see during your labor hasn’t just come off a hospital shift! That is maddening about people taking out hearing about the changes on the midwives. I think things are bad enough here that people are just doing what they’re told which is terrible and helpful at the same time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-in-the-time-of-covid-19#post-2913114 Mon, 30 Mar 2020 20:20:18 +0000 SweetCaroline 2913114@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Delivering later:<br /> 1. Your due date: 5/18<br /> 2. Your location/state: MI<br /> 3. How have your OB visits changed? I had an appointment at 32 weeks and would normally go back at 34 weeks but we are delaying until 36 weeks, with encouragement to call whenever. I ordered a pulse ox and BP monitor. Should probably look into urine strips.</p> <p>4. Have you changed how you are preparing for birth (online childbirth classes, doulas, etc)?</p> <p>Nah, baby #2, wasn't planning on doing much. I got some books from the library, which don't have to be returned foe rhe foreseeable future! Should probably brush up on the phases of labor.</p> <p>5. How is your hospital handling birth/labor and delivery right now?</p> <p>Right now, DH would be allowed at delivery. As the amended policy reads, I think they could ask him to leave after delivery. Doc said in practice they are not doing that...yet. She also said I would be wise to leave him behind if I were admitted COVID suspect, so he could care for baby in the event baby was taken away from me.</p> <p>The hospital I am delivering at has been designated as a COVID hub, so if that comes to fruition, they will divert me to a hospital 1-1/2 hours away, which I assume means early induction. </p> <p>6. Have you talked to your pediatrician about what visits will look like?</p> <p>Nope. Haven't even gotten that far, just want to delivery this rainbow baby safely.</p> <p>7. Anything else!</p> <p>My #1 worry is that there will not be medical professionals to support my labor and delivery and that the consequences could be dire. I've mostly distanced myself from those drastic thoughts. I don't care where I deliver or who attends the birth, I just want to live to tell about it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-in-the-time-of-covid-19#post-2913101 Mon, 30 Mar 2020 11:46:58 +0000 earthling 2913101@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1. Your due date: May 23</p> <p>2. Your location/state: TN</p> <p>3. How have your OB visits changed? I was supposed to bump up to weekly visits and imaging starting this week, but now they'll be alternating weeks. It was my 32-week appointment, so I had imaging and a midwife visit. This time there was someone at the door of every building taking temperatures. Chairs have been removed from waiting rooms.</p> <p>4. Have you changed how you are preparing for birth (online childbirth classes, doulas, etc)? I took the hospital class at the end of Feb. and attended one in-person weekly doula-led class before it moved to Zoom. I need to talk to the owner of the doula agency about my options (refund or postpartum doula), as only one support person is allowed in for now and I choose my husband over a doula.</p> <p>5. How is your hospital handling birth/labor and delivery right now? Midwives and OBs pooled all together - you might not be cared for by the kind of practitioner you saw. That pool is split between hospital-only and clinical-only. Once the support person enters the building, they cannot leave. No nitrous and no circumcisions.</p> <p>6. Have you talked to your pediatrician about what visits will look like? Was planning to start interviewing this week. Not sure if that needs to be done via telehealth now.</p> <p>7. Anything else! I'm pretty sure other patients are taking frustrations out on the midwives, judging by how apprehensive mine was about telling me about changes. I find that infuriating. No need to be Birthzilla, we're all just trying to survive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-in-the-time-of-covid-19#post-2913098 Mon, 30 Mar 2020 11:34:36 +0000 JennyLayneAZ 2913098@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Delivering later:<br /> 1. Your due date: planned c section on 4/9<br /> 2. Your location/state: Arizona -metro Phoenix area<br /> 3. How have your OB visits changed? They haven't really...they check your temp when you arrive and you're only allowed 1 adult person with you but I always go alone to my check ups anyway.<br /> 4. Have you changed how you are preparing for birth (online childbirth classes, doulas, etc)? No...just the afterwards (No visitors, etc)<br /> 5. How is your hospital handling birth/labor and delivery right now? 1 support person allowed, but he is not allowed to leave and come back, so he is stuck at the hospital the whole time with me. My daughter will not be able to come visit.<br /> 6. Have you talked to your pediatrician about what visits will look like? They're trying to keep all well visits in the mornings and sick visits in the afternoon.<br /> 7. Anything else! This sucks 🤷‍♀️ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-in-the-time-of-covid-19#post-2913097 Mon, 30 Mar 2020 11:33:53 +0000 Becky 2913097@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JennyPenny: What a tough time to be delivering—I’m sorry you have to navigate this. Hopefully you are able to go into labor on your own soon! I’ve heard more interest in castor oil come up recently but I’m guessing if you need to have a c section that probably wouldn’t be safe? Also the combo of sex + lots of walking + raspberry leaf tea sent me into labor after my midwives saying I had another 2 weeks to go and an unfavorable cervix—like literally right after sex—just in case you haven’t tried that combo! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-in-the-time-of-covid-19#post-2913096 Mon, 30 Mar 2020 11:24:14 +0000 Becky 2913096@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@greencraftycello: I am so glad everything went okay (especially a quick induction), and that you delivered and we’re home before your area was hit hard. NY State overruled hospital policies not allowing one birth support person (other birth parent, or a doula for ex.) so I am relieved for the many people I am friends with/related to who will be delivering very soon. </p> <p>I’m glad you brought up a big kids appointment because my daughter is 4 on 4/20. I really don’t want to be at a doctors office then 😬 </p> <p>I had originally planned a home birth and am trying to not linger on that. It’s too late to switch as the midwives are completely inundated. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/birth-in-the-time-of-covid-19#post-2913093 Mon, 30 Mar 2020 11:01:19 +0000 JennyPenny 2913093@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Delivering later:<br /> 1. Your due date: Due April 21, but I have a scheduled C-section April 14</p> <p>2. Your location/state: NC</p> <p>3. How have your OB visits changed? No real changes yet except I think they're seeing only OB patients right now. Both appts I've had since everything changed have had me waiting a TON though. I had an appt this morning and was there for over an hour. </p> <p>4. Have you changed how you are preparing for birth (online childbirth classes, doulas, etc)? This is my 3rd and I hadn't been planning on any classes or a doula or anything. I do feel more desperate to go into labor before my c-section date though so I'm doing a lot more of the natural labor induction stuff even though I don't really think they work :-/</p> <p>5. How is your hospital handling birth/labor and delivery right now? So far the only change they've mentioned is just 1 support person the whole time. No changes yet to my scheduled c-section.</p> <p>6. Have you talked to your pediatrician about what visits will look like? Hmmm...not yet, but that's a good point!</p> <p>7. Anything else! The two biggest things this has changed for me is that 1) I'm desperate to get this baby out now before things get worse. A lot of models have cases peaking mid April, so a c-section on April 14 seems terrifying. Also a vaginal delivery to reduce hospital stay sounds like a plus as well. 2) I'm worried about my 2 older kids during this time. They seemed really bummed about not being able to come to the hospital. My parents live in town so it shouldn't be too much of an extra burden on them and in some ways might be easier with not having to worry about school/daycare. </p> <p>Right now I just can't help but feel like everything looked so different 2 weeks ago, and I'm terrified how it'll look in 2 weeks. </p>