PW Design and Co

Bringing new life into the world is a profound journey, one filled with joy, anticipation, and sometimes, unforeseen challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the landscape of my pregnancy, introducing unique hurdles and uncertainties. As we navigated through these unprecedented times, it’s interesting to reflect on how pregnancy during the pandemic compares to the current landscape.

Pregnancy During the Pandemic: When the pandemic first swept across the globe, I was terrified. And although not yet pregnant at the start of the pandemic, all the uncertainty and unknowns made my anxiety skyrocket. Fast forward to August of 2020, I has elated to see a positive pregnancy test. But, it didn’t take long for anxious thoughts to creep in. You see prior to Covid-19 we had our own struggles with family. My husband’s grandmother had passed in 2014, and his sister passed in 2016 and we also lost his father in 2018. So when I tell you I was terrified to lose another person, this is why. This fear coupled with everything else going on in the world, made for an overwhelming sense of anxiety.

It was not uncommon to attend doctors appointments alone, my husband missed the first two ultrasounds due to pandemic closures. I was working from home and terrified to leave me house for fear of what could happen. The question that always went through my head is “if something happens to your baby, will this outing have been worth it?” and the answer was always “no”. So that meant no prenatal yoga, no pedicures, no massages, and no swimming. Another struggle was dealing with people being so happy for my announcement but were unable to visit or provide that in-person support. Thus on top of the fear was an overwhelming sense of loneliness.

However, amidst the challenges, the pandemic also fostered resilience and adaptability. With less activities to do during the pandemic, more people would reach out virtually to connect with you. We got creative in the ways we were able to celebrate. I had a drive by baby shower and a virtual baby shower after my son was born. I attended virtual birthing and newborn classes and had been very active from the second trimester onward, walking around the neighborhood.

Pregnancy in the Present: Has been a night and day difference. Having experienced already with my first, the anxiety has dramatically decreased, and the whole not having a global pandemic helps. I am beyond excited to get to experience prenatal yoga, swimming in the third trimester, and getting pampered at the spa.

I would say the exhaustion has hit harder this pregnancy, and part of that is because post pandemic people are very busy again, there are just so many things to do. And partly because of keeping up with a toddler while growing a tiny human.

I think we did our best with the state of things my first pregnancy, and I am beyond grateful to get a second chance at it, in more relaxed circumstances. And I hope that new moms will feel supported on their pregnancy journeys in 2024 and onward.

While the landscape of pregnancy continues to evolve, one thing remains constant: the unwavering determination of parents-to-be to provide the best possible start for their children. Whether navigating the uncertainties of a pandemic or embracing the hope of a post-pandemic world, the journey of pregnancy is a testament to the transformative power of love, resilience, and community.