Pregnancy and Birth During a Pandemic - You are allowed to mourn the birth you wanted!

There is a good chance that when you got pregnant, you assumed that Covid-19 restrictions would improve. That maybe you would have somewhat of a normal pregnancy, but the cases started to rise and you started to see that your pandemic pregnancy wouldn’t be “normal”.

A lot of people have been apologizing or saying they feel silly for admitting that they are disappointed because they couldn’t have:

• their partner at prenatal appointments

• a support person with them during ultrasounds

• their mom come visit their grand baby in the hospital

• have the support they want during birth

It sucks! And it’s not fair!

Being pregnant during the pandemic with the added risks, the additional stress while removing support for the birthing person, it’s just not fair!

Allow yourself to grieve that this isn’t what you wanted for your pregnancy. Take time and be gentle on yourself.

Please, don’t apologize for being upset!

Your feelings are valid, there is a feeling of loss that I’ve been hearing from so many clients.

As your doula and birth photographer, I am staying on top of changes at the hospitals to be able to support you as soon as they will allow it. I am currently able to attend births at the Ottawa Birth and Wellness Centre and homebirths. I can support you through every step of your pregnancy, in person during the earlier parts of your labour, and virtually once you are on your way to the hospital. It isn’t perfect but we have to adjust the best we can with the current restrictions.

If you are looking for some extra support, come join the Pregnant in Ottawa Facebook group. Talk with moms who are going through it too.