I gave birth in the middle of a pandemic
Unfortunately, they did not test him because back then, they would not test you unless you were not able to breathe or you had an extremely high fever, because of the lack of testing kits. They did give him a letter stating that they suspected it was COVID and that he should self-isolate. Before he came back home, he asked the Dr. if he should bring me to the hospital to get tested since I was pregnant, but since I had no symptoms at all they said it’s better if I stayed home.
When he got home, he decided to sleep on the couch, because he didn’t want to get me sick, even though we weren’t sure if it was COVID. However, I wanted to take care of him because he wasn’t feeling well, that’s what a spouse does. Not only a spouse, but I want to think that a friend or relative would want to do the same thing for the ones they love. I was not going to leave him alone while he was not feeling well.
A few days later, I had a slight cough and a sore throat. Later on, I had a slight nose congestion, and I thought it was allergies since Spring had just started. After that I lost my sense of smell and taste, but I wasn’t so worried because I didn’t have any respiratory issues, and all my symptoms were mild. My husband was feeling better but still had a cough, and he couldn’t taste or smell anything either. I recovered pretty quick but I still had a slight cough as well.
After deliberating for a few days, we decided, with a heavy heart, that it was best to cancel our baby shower.
When I went to see my OB at the beginning of April (2 weeks after my symptoms), I mentioned what happened to us..but since we didn’t have severe symptoms and recovered quickly, I wasn’t worried. But she sent me to do an ultrasound just to be sure everything was ok with the baby. When I went for the ultrasound they noticed I had low amniotic fluid and that my baby had stopped growing...and were slightly alarmed, and mentioned that I might have to be induced....at 35 weeks...due to the placenta not functioning properly and was not sending enough nutrients to the baby. Our Dr. wanted to keep monitoring the baby so I had to do an ultrasound twice a week, starting the following week (week 36) .The following week came and the first time I went to the ultrasound they found the amniotic fluid at normal level and the baby had gained a little bit of weight, so I felt relieved. However, the second time they found the amniotic level really low again so the Dr. said they were not going to risk it any longer and I was getting induced that day.
My husband always came with me to the appointments but after the pandemic hit, only I was allowed to go in. Still he would wait outside, in the car until I was finished. Many hospitals were not allowing partners or support persons to accompany women in labor, but the governor had just sent an executive order that allowed someone to be by our side when we gave birth. So my husband was able to be in the delivery room with me and I’m so grateful for that, he is my rock. I don’t think I would have been able to do it without him. While I was in the delivery room, before they started the induction procedure, they tested me for COVID and said I was going to get the results later on that day. My husband did not get tested though. A few hours later, they came back with the results and told me I was positive.. I had COVID. My husband and I were completely shocked! We weren’t sure if my husband did have it after all and passed it on to me without knowing, or had I recently contracted it...because it had been a month since I had any symptoms.
I gave birth the following morning, Saturday April 18th at 36 weeks and 4 days. My son was born 4 lbs 1 oz. He had to go to the NICU because any baby born before 37 weeks is considered premature, and also he was small for his age...and because I tested positive for COVID I couldn’t even hold him...I barely glanced at him when he was born, they allowed my husband to cut his umbilical cord but then they took him right away. I understand they were doing what’s best for him, but still..it broke my heart...
So I was sent to a recovery room alone...my husband couldn’t even stay with me..no one could visit me..and the worst part is that I couldn’t see my baby. I was in pain physically and emotionally. I was also scared that I was going to have severe symptoms and not make it out alive, that I was never going to see my baby, or loved ones again...all these crazy thoughts were running through my mind. The nurses were so nice though and always giving me updates on how my baby was doing...but it wasn’t enough...I was so close to him and yet I couldn’t see him.
When I got discharged 2 days later, Drs said that my baby might have to stay in the NICU FOR 14 DAYS, and neither me or my husband could visit him..and I had to quarantine for 2 weeks...I was crying all the way home..staring at the empty baby car seat. Before I went home though my DR said that many people who had COVID were at risk of having blood clots..she told me this a few days before it came out on the news. So she sent me 12 injections of blood thinners to prevent any blood clots, I had to take one every day for 12 days...My husband volunteered to administer the injections everyday, and he was awesome at it..made it hurt a little less.
The next day the NICU DR gave me an update on our baby: he was doing well but his heart rate kept racing and they weren’t sure why...they had tested to see if anything was wrong with his heart and everything came out fine...and they had also tested him for COVID and he came out negative..thank goodness. So they said he might have to stay for a week instead of 14 days, which was a slight relief. However, I cried every night thinking about him being alone, wondering where his mother was...it was really painful. The Dr FaceTimed us everyday and I was able to see him for a few minutes, and it made me feel a little better. After the fourth day...they said that only my husband could go see him on the weekend (it was Thursday) because I was still in quarantine but I was happy at least one of us could see him. However, the next day they thought that maybe his heart was racing because he needed his mother to hold him, so since I had no symptoms at all they said I could go see him instead of my husband. It was the best news I had received in a week.
Saturday came and I got to see him...but not before gearing up..I had to put on a suit, face shield, a mask of course...double gloves...and I was willing to do that and more....just to see him.
I could not stop myself from crying when I finally held him in my arms...a whole week later...It was the longest week of my life, but I finally got to meet my son. I was able to bring him home the next day, but I still had to wear a mask when holding him for one more week..but at least I had him home with me so I wasn’t complaining.
Almost seven months have passed and our son is healthy and growing up fast. He is still on the smaller side but Drs say premature babies usually take a whole year to catch up. Besides, he reaches all the milestones each month as any other baby his age. He is a very active and happy baby. I read that scientists have recently discovered that when pregnant women contract COVID, it can damage the placenta. I also read that it is no longer necessary to separate COVID positive mothers from babies, I wish they would have known this back in April.
After everything that we went through, we’re taking this virus seriously. We were being careful even before the lock down began and somehow contracted it, so imagine now that we have a baby. We barely go out unless it’s for work or Dr appointments, and when we do, we always wear a mask. We are even slowly introducing our son to the rest of our family because we don’t want to risk our son getting infected.
I’m hoping that this pandemic will be over soon, I feel blessed that my husband and I recovered, and that I didn’t pass it to my son...but my heart also breaks for the people who had to be on ventilators, and the people who lost loved ones..
If you made it this far, thank you for reading my post...i wanted to share it because it is something to be remembered forever. I’m hoping that my experience will help someone who is looking for support, and make them feel like they’re not alone.
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