Giving Birth During the Pandemic: My Covid Birthstory

It’s true what they say, no birth is the same. I know this is true because I’ve given birth 4 times. Only this one wasn’t different for the reasons I expected. I didn’t plan on giving birth during a pandemic. I didn’t know that when I got pregnant in January of 2020, that two months later  the world as I knew it would shut down. Nobody knew.

As overjoyed as I was for the coming birth of my daughter, I was equally terrified with all of the unknowns. There wasn’t enough research out there to know how or if COVID-19  affected pregnancies or newborns. I was seeing stories of mothers separated from their babies because they were Covid positive, and while I wasn’t fearful of the virus itself, I was fearful of being separated from my child after birth.

I had less prenatal appointments

I had less prenatal appointments for my first two trimesters, than I had in previous pregnancies as they were trying to keep the risk of exposure to a minimum. We were under a shelter in place order for my first trimester. This meant that only essential workers were working. The only stores open were grocery stores and all restaurants were only offering takeout or delivery. I was also raising 3 children under 5 in a 2 bedroom apartment in the middle of a pandemic.

When the time came for my baby girl to arrive, we had moved to a 3 bedroom home and our county was up a few tiers on the covid criteria. A friend of mine is a labor & delivery nurse at the hospital I would be delivering so I messaged her to see what current hospital policies were regarding Covid. I was happy to hear my husband would be allowed to come and go, even though I could only have one support person.

My water broke. 

My water broke! For the first time ever, my water broke at home and I was beside myself. I didn’t know if that’s what was happening and wasn’t sure if I should wait for contractions or go to the hospital to get checked. I texted my husband who was hanging out with a friend outside, since the kids were already in bed, “I think my water broke” as I was sitting on the toilet staring at the fluid on my underwear and grabbing a maxi pad.

When he came in, I showed him and was just like, “that’s definitely not pee!” and I kept saying. “I don’t know!” We decided we should go in since I  was GBS positive and would need intravenous antibiotics before birth. Since I had notoriously short labors prior to this one, it seemed like the smart choice.

My Mother in law came over to watch our 3 kids while we went to the hospital. By the time she got there I was shaking and frantically packing my makeup and toiletries. Looking back, it probably would have been a good idea to buy travel makeup and toiletries, but I didn’t want to worry about the extra expense.

After I had thrown in the last minute items into my hospital bag, which was mostly packed already, we headed out. Read about what I packed in my hospital bag here. I had delivered 2 other babies at this hospital and 1 other with my midwife, however I had never had my water brake at home. I wasn’t feeling contractions, but knowing labor was coming was definitely making me nervous.

I had to go into my first exam alone.

Hospital policy during covid for labor and delivery did not allow visitors until I was admitted, so that meant I had to go into my first exam alone. My husband parked the car and waited for me to text him when it was time to come in. When the nurse examined me she did a cervix check and more fluid came out confirming that my water did in fact break.

Shortly after that got confirmation from the lab that the cervical swab did in fact have amniotic fluid. (yes I consented to this. I know some women prefer no cervical checks, but I always liked knowing the progress updates. This meant I was officially admitted to labor and delivery and finally had my hubby come be with me.

Even though I had 3 epidural free vaginal births prior to my 4th, I was still nervous. I don’t know if it was because of how differently the labor was going compared to my others, that always started with contractions, or giving birth in the middle of a pandemic, but I was definitely not as calm as previous births.

We were required to wear masks

We were required to wear masks outside the room, and wore them when the nurses and midwife were in the room with us, at least when I wasn’t in transition or pushing. And of course all the hospital personnel wore masks the entire time.

So after I was admitted, the waiting game began. After a couple of hours my labor wasn’t progressing so we decided to start pitocin, along with the antibiotics I needed due to being group b strep positive. So I know everyone says labors with pitocin are much more painful, but I didn’t notice a significant difference compared to my previous labors, thankfully.

I had two doses before I went into the transition stage of labor. The nurse was ready to give me more, but I was so thankful for my midwife reading the intensity of my contractions, versus the frequency. She told her we should hold off since it seemed pretty intense for me, which it was, and I am so glad they did NOT give me another dose.

I forgot any and all tips for remaining calm

Shortly after this exchange, they were asking me if I felt the urge to push and started saying I think it’s time. I think she’s coming! At this point, I forgot any and all tips for remaining calm, not giving into fear, etc. It felt like my mind went blank and I just forgot what I was supposed to do. I know natural birth advocates say to listen to your body, etc, but I felt lost.

I was so grateful for my midwife and nurses coaching me through. I had been laying on my side and my left leg had fallen asleep, making it really hard to move onto my back. One of the nurses had to hold my leg up for me because it felt like a dead leg.

I pooped on the table

Then it happened. I pooped on the table. (where are my Grey’s Anatomy fans?) This happened with my other daughter’s birth as well, so it wasn’t a surprise, but was still a little comical. If you’re scared of this happening during your birth, know that it’s completely normal and the nurses will take care of you.

It was time. She was coming and I started pushing with my nurses and husband beside me, and my midwife ready to catch the baby. My husband has never wanted to watch our babies actually come out of my body, so he always stands in a place next to me where he can’t see too much. Anyone else have husbands like this?

As I was pushing,  I felt the ring of fire and started to give up. I was letting fear set in. But the sweet nurse holding my leg kept telling me I could do it and to keep pushing. I know I did it 3 times before this, but none of that mattered if I gave into fear.

she was here

After only 2 maybe 3 big pushes, she was here. They placed her on my chest with the umbilical cord still attached. It was a beautiful moment of bonding between mommy and baby.

I honestly don’t remember all the things after this, as I was so happy holding my baby girl. They cut the cord while I was holding her, which actually got quite a bit of blood on my chest. I  delivered the placenta and then my midwife stitched me up.

The stitches this time were super painful, I think because they were right on the surface of my skin. I had a very severe tear with my first birth, but they must have used a lot of lidocaine with my first because those stitches didn’t compare to these. 

I was able to spend the next hour bonding with her, breastfeeding for the first time and getting lovely uterine massages. If you’re not familiar with these, the nurses will massage your uterus to help it contract and control bleeding. It is not pleasant and can actually be really painful.

I know every story is different, every birth is different, but one thing is true- mother’s are incredible and strong. Even when we are at our weakest and lowest moments, all mother’s have grown life within them, have chosen to sustain life, and choose every day to nurture that life.  Hats off to you, mamas!

Continue to read about our covid birth recovery journey here  and learn why I couldn’t stop crying. The journey was not what I expected, but we made it through.

Did you give birth during the pandemic? Was yours a positive or negative experience? Let’s chat in the comments, mamas!