Jessie Wood is just one of the many who haven’t been able to share their maternity leave with loved ones, thanks to COVID-19. Giving birth late last year meant Jessie has had to spend the last 4 months cooped up with her new bundle of joy. New mums are legally allowed a ‘support bubble’ but is this enough to avoid popping the lovely ‘baby bubble’? Emily Bickers reports.
As the UK entered a national lockdown last spring, many of us joked about there being a ‘baby boom’ as we were all urged to stay at home and entertain ourselves. And with the likes of baking, colouring, binge-watching Netflix series being just about as fun as it gets, let’s be honest, what else is there to do?
It’s difficult to conclude whether the birds and bees have been busier during 2020 in comparison to previous years and if this was completely down to the fact we were stuck indoors - because official data is yet to be released.
However, based on data from the Office of National Statistics: during the first three quarters of 2020 (January to September), there were 464,437 live births in England and Wales which have actually decreased by 3.6% since the same period of time in 2019 and a larger decrease of 15.3% since the peak in numbers during 2012.
Carrying an unborn child is meant to be the most beautiful and amazing thing ever (for some), but is it possible that women who are staying at home to cook their bun in the oven safely, are not experiencing the wondrousness that is pregnancy?
Recently, there has been various support spread across social media acknowledging the idea of many people ‘missing out’ whilst expecting during the pandemic and how this feeling of loss is extremely valid. Mothers and fathers to be, friends and family of the baby, have arguably been stripped of the excitement encompassed in the lead up to their new arrival. But the message behind the awareness is that mothers and other parties involved, shouldn’t feel guilty for feeling they have missed out on enjoying being pregnant and what comes with it, just because there is a pandemic going on.
This sense of loss many families have felt stems from fathers, or other guardians of the unborn child, not being allowed to see their baby by way of scans and, in some cases, the arrival of their child. This not only causes upset to the fathers themselves, but more anxiety for the mother to not have a supportive figure by her side.
Fortunately for Olivia Hughes, a 23-year-old expecting in July 2021, she and her partner were able to attend the six-week and twelve weeks scan together. However, when mum-to-be was suddenly admitted to the hospital, dad wasn’t able to offer his support and reassurance like once before.
Olivia speaks on her anxiety as a pregnant woman, and explains how the pandemic has caused “some extra worries.”
This mum-to-be says she definitely feels she has missed out on sharing the most exciting parts of pregnancy with her nearest and dearest. She says: “Little things such as being able to show them scan pictures and not being able to plan a gender reveal party. I’m gutted but I understand it’s for the best.”
Pregnancy is something women have experienced and spoken about since the beginning of time, and for many females, they grow up wondering when it will happen, and if it really is just as magical as they portray in films and books.
Olivia explains how her midwife appointments so far have been on the phone, she says: “This felt quite strange because I wasn’t able to see her face to face and ask maybe as many questions as I would’ve done being physically in a hospital.
“The situation makes me feel quite anxious and not as excited as I think I would’ve been, and with this being my first pregnancy, I feel like I am missing out on some exciting times”.
Baby showers are another thing many women have missed out on. There have been a few baby showers held virtually, but like many things this past year, it just isn’t the same. Being able to sit and talk to your friends and family, receive gifts, and hug those who share the same excitement for your new bundle of joy to make an appearance, has been taken by this nasty virus.
Although Olivia feels she has been stripped from some of the most precious times of her pregnancy, she says: “I’m going to stay positive about my pregnancy and I’m looking forward to the baby arriving!”
Many parents to be will share the same worries and concerns as Olivia and her partner, however, is it possible that other pregnant women or even first-time mums are thriving with being at home in their ‘baby bubble’ and not wanting to face the outside world just yet.
Jessie Wood gave birth to a beautiful baby girl in November last year and has since been loving the fact she can stay at home without feeling anti-social.
She says: “It relieves pressure because it provides you with an excuse to stay at home.
“I know I feel quite grateful at times because I can just stay at home with my baby and not have to worry about making plans, or packing a changing back, or worry about feeding my baby whilst out of my comfort zone.”
As someone who experienced pregnancy during the pandemic, Jessie explained how her extended family in Bristol have still not met their great-granddaughter. This really brings it home just how much the virus has taken from people.
Jessie says: “I would have loved my partner to have been there for my growth scans. Especially when I suddenly had to visit the hospital for reduced fetal movement. I was sat on my own being assessed and it was also my birthday, so I had so many mixed emotions.”
Although Jessie might feel COVID-19 took some elements of her pregnancy journey from her, she says she is thoroughly enjoying the time as a first-time-mum: “You’ve just got to make the best out of a bad situation and I’m definitely trying not to let COVID-19 ruin how I want to parent.”
It’s safe to assume that because pregnant women remain in the ‘high-risk’ category, the chances of having a ‘normal’ and perhaps more social pregnancy are looking quite slim. However, thanks to the wizardry of technology and Zoom, COVID-19 hasn’t completely vetoed all fun for friends and family when it comes to elaborate gender reveals and baby showers. Much less, you don’t even have to get out of pyjamas to celebrate.