It’s ok to feel sad….
Having a baby is hard…having a baby in a pandemic- is next level difficult.
It’s ok to be sad.
I have personally had four kiddos- three born pre-pandemic and one born smack in the middle of it- May 2020. Of course as the history books will tell us, our world shut down March 2020- I was 28 weeks pregnant.
I am blessed to have served families as a doula and childbirth educator for almost 6 years now- and I have never seen anything like we are witnessing today in pregnancy and birth. I share this story to give hope and to validate.
It’s ok to be sad about your experience- having a baby in a pandemic is hard.
My first three kiddos were exciting, fun, and everything a baby should be. I am a huge believer that celebrating every child is so important. Whether it is a baby shower, a blessing, a girl’s night out, a special walk with a friend- something to mark such a special event in your life. My fourth kiddo was exactly that in many ways- we were thrilled, excited, and so looking forward to meeting this new little one. Then the WORLD SHUT DOWN.
It’s ok to be sad…having a baby in a pandemic is hard.
All the sudden I couldn’t bring my family to baby appointments, my kids couldn’t hear their little sister’s heartbeat, my husband couldn’t see any ultrasounds- we weren’t even sure if he would be able to attend the birth. Now, as a childbirth educator- I know historically that dads were not in the delivery room for many years. However, in the last few decades (thankfully) that has drastically changed and I could not imagine birthing without my husband. I was so heartbroken- no one to watch my belly grow, no one to “ooo” and “ahhh” over this new baby I had spent 10 months growing, not even being sure if grandparents would be able to hold her when she arrived. I grieved.
It’s ok to be sad…having a baby in a pandemic is hard.
I share this story because I think we need to validate how hard this season is for pregnant and birthing families. Of course our little one brought so much joy to a year of so much hard. We are so grateful for her life- and that my husband could be with me when she was born; but, I want to validate the isolation, the grief, the unexpected that this season has brought for families in a time which should feel joyous and exciting.
It’s ok to be sad…having a baby in a pandemic is hard.
My encouragement to anyone walking through this season of life in our historic time period- figure out how to celebrate, how to be supported, how to let family hold your baby, how to let others clean and cook for you. It is SO important- actually, I think it’s necessary. This season is to be cherished and celebrated- regardless of what else is going on in our world.
It’s ok to be sad….having a baby in a pandemic is hard.
PC: Lindsey Eden Birth Photography
