Surviving Pregnancy in a Pandemic
Disclaimer: Some of the following products were sent for the purpose of testing them out for review. These products are highlighted by the use of an asterisk (*) beside them. This post also contains affiliate links which are indicated by the use of a dagger (†). All review words and opinions are my own. All photos are copyright property of Me Becoming Mum.
With Covid-19 changing everything from how we socialise to how we shop to how we get medical treatment, I thought it important to share my top tips on how to survive pregnancy during a pandemic. Read on to discover top tips - and products - to help you make it from positive test to birth safe and healthy.
My survival guides
This guide is a little different to my previous pregnancy survival guides, thanks to the world being a very different place right now. Pregnancy during a pandemic can be hard. You are forced to change how your appointments are conducted, as well as the way you interact with your usual support system. It's not all doom and gloom, however! With a few simple tips, and top products, I'll show you how you can make the most of your pregnancy despite the weird world we live in right now.
For my other pregnancy survival guides click below:
Your pregnancy in a pandemic to-do list
Congratulations on your pregnancy! With everything a little different these days there are a few important things you should add to your to-do list!
Make sure you tell your GP and contact your local midwifery team
Unlike in my previous pregnancies, my GP is not making referrals to the community midwives. Instead I had to contact them directly (which actually wasn’t too hard as I still had all the details logged from when I was pregnant with Munchkin!) The GP is still in charge of other important things such as flu vaccines and medication prescriptions so they do still need to know.
Download a pregnancy app or two
If, like me, you want to try and avoid scaremongering and conspiracies that are rife on social media and in the news at the moment yet still want a place to access information and advice about pregnancy, apps are a saving grace. You can get everything from tips on what to buy and when to how big the baby is at different points during your pregnancy - for example as I sit here typing this apparently my baby is the size of an avocado! My top app picks are Pregnancy + and Emma’s Diary; although there are plenty of other options available from BabyCenter, Bounty, What to Expect and more.
Create a "go bag”
With midwife appointments, scans and more that you require during pregnancy it's always a good idea to have a little bag at the ready with essentials you need. The essentials these days are a little different with things like face masks compulsory indoors.
My top products for your pregnancy go bag
Some may seem obvious ( especially as they're essential everywhere these days) but here are a few things I recommend including in your "pregnancy in a pandemic go bag":
Hand sanitiser: choose one with at least 60% alcohol.
Hand cream: I find hand sanitiser dries out my skin, so this is a must. My favourite hand cream is this Sanctuary Spa one, or a mini Sudocrem (anything trav size works though.)
Face coverings: I mean, the government made them compulsory except for a few exceptions, so you've probably got them around anyway. My favourites are washable ones that can be reused (as long as you don't forget to wash them) however for the go bag a disposable one is easy to remember to replace and folds up nice and small!
Lip balm: Just like hand sanitiser dries out my hands, face masks dry out my lips. I keep some Vaseline to hand to counter this.
Essential meds (for emergencies): If something happens and you get caught at hospital or away from home for whatever reason, having the meds you take daily with you will be necessary.
Spare hair ties: Obviously only if you have long hair!
Think of fun and unique ways to tell everyone the good news
The reality is - thanks to lockdown and socialising restrictions - you are unlikely to be able to tell everyone face to face like you may want to (or may have done in the past). I made frames and cards for our family and took photos to share the good news with everyone else from WhatsApp messages to social media. Check out all the details of our baby number 4 pregnancy announcements here.
Looking after yourself during pregnancy in a pandemic
Always attend your appointments
Missing appointments with the midwife, or scans at the hospital, could be detrimental to your health and the health of your baby. There really is no need to worry: everyone is taking extra measures to ensure that it is safe for you to attend appointments. Plus, most NHS staff have had the vaccine and are tested twice a week, even if they don't have symptoms. It's also important to remember that if you have any noticeable changes to call your community midwife or maternity unit for example:
If you notice vaginal bleeding.
Baby's movements change.
You get severe abdominal pain.
Go for plenty of walks
Walking during pregnancy is a great way to reduce the risk of complications both throughout your pregnancy and while giving birth too. Regular exercise doesn’t just help burn calories, it helps lower your risk of gestational diabetes and having an unplanned c-section.
My top pregnancy product for your walks
Get plenty of rest
Obvious or not, when you’re pregnant you need to make sure that you are getting plenty of rest. Proper rest and sleep helps to boost your brain function and most importantly, your immune system. When you’re pregnant during a pandemic it is extra important to ensure you give your immune system the best chance.
My top pregnancy products for getting some rest
Manage your anxiety
For me, this is one of the most important steps in surviving pregnancy in a pandemic. Over half the population have reported that Covid-19 has affected their mental health, and as someone who has previously battled PND and a severe anxiety disorder, taking care of my mental health is even more important. I will probably write a full post on this topic for more details, but here are my top tips for managing your anxiety:
Avoid the news. However you obviously should keep up to date with information about things that affect you (pregnancy guidance, hospital updates etc.)
Focus on yourself. The pandemic will end, and it's not your job to worry about when that may be. Instead make sure you're taking care of yourself.
Reach out to friends and / or family. Having a chance to vent and get things off your chest is important, especially if you’re struggling.
What is different about pregnancy in a pandemic?
You may need to attend scans alone
For emergency scans, I had to attend my appointments alone. I’m not going to lie, I cried. Especially as the second one we thought it could be bad news again, and there was a change I could be alone when we were told I had lost the baby. Both my sisters-in-law had to attend scans with video calling the only way my brothers could be there. Fortunately dating and anomaly scans can now be attended by partners at my hospital (Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle) so John can be with me, so it is worth checked the updated information for your local hospital.
You will have less appointments in person
Where possible, to reduce the risk to you, your baby and others, appointments will be conducted over the phone or via video call. For appointments where a physical presence is required (such as to listen to the fetal heartbeat, antenatal scans and to take bloods) there are safety measures in place. You will have to wear a mask and your midwife, consultant or sonographer is likely to be wearing some form of PPE including an apron, gloves and mask. When you do attend those appointments it may feel a little strange, but I promise it is just as exciting - from the first time you see your baby on the scan screen to the first time you hear their heartbeat at around 16 weeks. Click below to listen to Peanut’s heartbeat!
You will need to wear a face covering everywhere you go
The science-y bit (in case you’re curious!): Copper ions have been scientifically proven to attack microbial DNA, making copper infused fabric ideal for products such as these. This fabric is safe, natural, environmentally-friendly and non-chemical!
You may have to take your own photos
My brother is a professional photographer, and he took maternity photos for Squidgy. We used a local Peterborough photographer for Pickle's maternity photoshoot. Funnily enough, out of choice, we opted to take photos for Munchkin ourselves anyway. During a pandemic - and thanks to government restrictions - most photoshoots won't go ahead or will need to be done while socially distancing outdoors. Bear this in mind if you wish to have a selection of maternity photos taken to remember your pregnancy journey.
My top product for taking your own photos
With this guide to the surviving pregnancy in a pandemic; you are sure to be able to not only survive, but thrive, in the lead up to holding your new tiny baby in your arms. The world may look a little different right now, but the love and joy of bringing new life into the world is just as wonderful as ever.
For more blog posts about pregnancy, check out the category here. Do you have any other tips for surviving pregnancy in a pandemic? Let me know in the comments below.
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Check out when we popped down to Bassenthwaite with my camera to snap maternity photos as a family.