Jessica Crum

A Lifestyle and Fashion Blog

Baby, Faith + Inspiration, Lifestyle ·

Being Pregnant During Covid-19

If you’re anything like me, you can agree that you experience a lot of fear and anxiety throughout your pregnancy. There are so many thoughts that constantly rush through your head — Is my baby growing? How are they supposed to? What’s the best stroller and breast pump to get? Will I ever lose the baby weight? Will I even be a good mom? I think most of us will admit to having some (or all) of these fears at one point or another during our pregnancy. But never could I have imagined being pregnant during the Covid 19 pandemic. With Covid-19 completely shutting down our country mid-March, I was faced with a whole new level of stress.

Pregnant During Covid 19 Pandemic by popular Houston motherhood blogger, Jessica Crum: image of a pregnant woman wearing all black and placing her hands on her pregnant belly.

What It’s Like to Be Pregnant During COVID 19 Pandemic:

Due to the severity of the virus, stay-at-home orders were set all over the country urging everyone to stay at home for anything that was not a necessity, especially anyone who was pregnant. This now added a list of fears I never thought I would face. I can’t even go to the grocery store without fear of being exposed to the virus. Supplies are very limited due to demand and fear, and it’s become extremely hard to find diapers and wipes.

Will I have everything I need before baby girl’s arrival?

With this came a LOT of changes. Canceled birth classes, hospital tours and maternity pictures. This might sound selfish, but I honestly felt robbed of my pregnancy experience. I wouldn’t get the baby shower of my dreams I planned for months. I wouldn’t get those last few date nights with my husband before a baby comes and makes it a little more difficult to get away. I wouldn’t get to see friends & family whom I haven’t seen in months, and have them place their hands on my belly to feel the baby move and experience this chapter with me. Those might seem like small things compared to what’s going on in the world, but they are REAL things that I will never get back. I felt an enormous amount of guilt at first for even feeling like this, because I know others are suffering so deeply. But then I realized my feelings were valid, and I think anyone who is going through their pregnancy right now needs to hear this:

it’s okay to let yourself mourn what you thought your pregnancy would be like.

On top of all of these changes, I think the hardest thing about being pregnant during COVID-19 was the reality that my family would no longer be allowed in the hospital when I gave birth, and there was a possibility that my husband wouldn’t be able to be there either. Never in a MILLION YEARS did I ever think this could be a possibility. For someone who has feared giving birth their entire life, this was heartbreaking for me. There’s nothing I wanted more than to have my family with me to help calm my nerves, and pray over our labor.

I’m not going to lie, it took me awhile to process this, and many, many tears. I was angry, confused, bitter and really really sad that my story would not be how I pictured it. But I got over it, because, quite frankly… I had to. There’s nothing we can do about being pregnant during COVID-19. I completely understand the hospitals have these procedures in place to limit exposure for the healthcare workers, myself and my baby. I get it. But it doesn’t make it any easier to swallow. As of right now, the hospital where I will deliver is still allowing a spouse to accompany the mom during delivery, and while that is not what I had always envisioned as my “birth story”, I cannot tell you guys how thankful I am to at least have my husband there. I truly don’t know if I could do it without him. And although I’m sad my family won’t be there to greet baby girl after she arrives, I have come to peace with the situation and know it will be just as special when they meet her at home.

To add to the other stress going on, we are currently building a new house and have been living with my in-laws for the past six months. I am in full blown “nesting mode” at this point in my pregnancy, but unfortunately do not have a house to “nest” in right now. This makes me very anxious and I find myself waking up in the middle of the night wanting to organize baby girl’s nursery, but quickly realizing that isn’t a possibility.

But if there’s one thing I’ve learned about being pregnant during COVID-19 over the past month, it’s to control the “controllables”. There are SO many things that are completely out of our control right now. You can choose to be angry and bitter at the situation, or you can choose to find joy and look at the bright side of things. I still have a healthy baby. I’m still able to have my husband in the delivery room. I WILL GET THROUGH THIS!

With everything we have going on, my mind feels like it’s constantly racing. But I have come to believe one thing, and I want anyone who is pregnant during COVID-19 to listen up, because you need to hear this. God made me a mom in this time for a reason. He knew what was going to happen all along, but He allowed us to get pregnant during this global pandemic because He knew we were strong enough to handle it. Yes, we would have a list of added stresses to our plate, but He knew we could do it. I was told last week by my doctor that Clayton was no longer to accompany me at any appointments (including ultrasounds) and while this was disappointing, I thought about all the single moms who go to EVERY appointment by themselves. Or those women who’s husbands cannot get away from work to be there. I have been lucky enough to have him there with me for EVERY appointment up to this point, so I can handle the next ten weeks on my own.

I still experience all of these fears about being pregnant during COVID-19 daily, and don’t foresee them going away anytime soon. As a first-time mom, I often feel unprepared and nervous that the hospitals will get so full that they won’t have room for me. But when I feel those fears creeping in, I remind myself to trust my faith. To completely surrender control and trust in His plan. It’s easy to trust in God’s plan when things are easy and going right, but where we will find real growth is when we trust Him through the difficult times (or in this case, the extremely difficult times). None of us know what the future holds, but I find peace knowing the One who holds the future will carry us through.

For any pregnant mamas out there, I want to remind you that you are not alone. We may be “social distancing” for two months and feel more isolated than ever, but I am here to tell you that there are thousands of women experiencing what you are experiencing right now. They feel those same fears, those same uncertainties, and crave the same normalcy you are so desperately wanting. But, find rest knowing we WILL get through this and God knew you would be able to handle this. You are STRONG. You are BRAVE. And you are going to be an even better mom because of this. We are now in a special group of our own because we are growing babies during a monumental time in our world’s history.

Whenever you feel that fear and anxiety start creep up, look down at your belly and remember what brings you joy on your darkest days. Our babies represent the joy, light and hope that shines so bright during dark times in our world. You are not alone, sister.

I’m honored to share this print I created in collaboration with Ladie Katie Art — something you can print to keep in your nursery and always be reminded that God called YOU to be a mom at this time for a reason.

Are you currently pregnant during the Covid 19 pandemic? Or do you know someone who is? Let me know in a comment below!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alena VakaRchuk says

    Thank you so much for this post! I’ve been struggling with not having my husband be in the delivery room with me ( he’s getting his life sorted;rehab) I felt like I finally got married and pregnant and the world just had to stop. But remembering that God is in control of not only my labor and my husband’s sobriety has given me refreshing peace and hope to look forward to!

  2. Meg says

    This was so beautifully written, Jessica! It was definitely something I needed to hear! Thanks for sharing! You and your little one are in my thoughts and prayers! 💕

  3. Maritza says

    So well spoken! I can relate to many of the feelings you are feeling. I am 15 weeks and feel grateful that I was able to able to have my husband there for my very first appt when we confirmed that baby had a heartbeat and saw the ultrasound. He hasn’t been able to attend after that appt since they make him wait it in the car now. So many things that we can choose to be upset about, but reading what you said about God choosing us to be pregnant during this time shifted my perspective. Praying for you and all of us other soon to be mommies! This too shall pass! And we will have beautiful and sweet bundles when it does! <3

  4. Deise says

    Thank you so much, I can relate to many of those feelings. 😐
    I’m 21 weeks and I pray to god every day for this to pass and hopefully when my baby girl comes to this world I’ll be able to have my husband and family close to me.

  5. MorGan says

    Wow! Thank you so much for this. You took the words out of my mouth! I’m 18 weeks & this is nothing like I had hoped it would be…but will we have a story for our little girls! Tough mamas!!! We got this!!!

  6. Kristen says

    Thank you for this! I couldn’t have said it any better. I’m 26 weeks and am feeling all the same things you are, but you are right we will absolutely get through this!!!! We must keep staying strong and healthy for our sweet baby girls <3 that’s all we can do. Wishing you all the best!

  7. Whitney says

    This is absolutely beautiful & hits me right on! You sometimes think i’m the only one going through this & God so faithfully reminds us we are never alone!
    I am 26 weeks & currently moving- so I feel for you!!!
    I love following you, your a true genuine breathe of fresh air! Keep up your amazing talet!💕✝️

  8. Jamie Riley says

    So glad I came across those blog post, I needed to hear every word! I have bad days and good days, and often have to pick myself up when I get in one of those cruddy moods. Can’t wait until we get to meet our little bundles of joy and experience brighter, better days. 💕 Thanks for sharing!

  9. Kaitlyn says

    This is amazing! Definitely something I needed to read. I am 25 weeks and feeling every single way you are. We will all get through this and have beautiful babies in the end. So happy I get to follow along with your journey.💗

  10. Rachel says

    Thanks for sharing!! Me and my husband have been trying to conceive for 3yrs and after giving up completely and actually being ok with the possibility of never having any biological children was ok with me! As of today I am 2 months & 6days pregnant! I questioned God as to why now!? But I was obviously still very excited, but why after so long does it have to be in a time like this!? But not everything has to make sense, and someday looking back it’ll all make sense! My husband was super excited! He’s extremely good with kids and always wanted a family of his own as well! But he was devastated that he wasn’t able to go with me to my first 2 appointments so far! Very heartbreaking because he looked forward to seeing the baby for the first time and just being there through this all with me!!! Hopefully soon the doctors office will allow it! 🙏

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