Birthing in the Time of COVID-19: Reclaiming Your Power As You Welcome Your Baby

Things are changing. The restaurant that so faithfully fed your pizza craving is now closed. Your OB/GYN has already transitioned your upcoming appointments to virtual Telehealth consults. Your in-person childbirth education classes have been canceled. You are now being told that the doula that you love, who you have worked with for months, cannot join you in the birth space. You are reading the crazy stories about hospitals even restricting the presence of partners at birth. You find yourself searching for a home birth midwife in the middle of the night who might be able to fit you into their nearly packed schedule. I get it - life has gotten a little (or a lot) crazy and it is making you anxious about what is to come when you give birth.

I want to tell you something…this time can still be joyous and your birth can still be positive. And I mean that.

Here are 5 ways to reclaim your power in the time of COVID-19.

Do It With A Doula - Yes, This is Still an option!

I know, I know. Some hospitals are restricting the presence of doulas in the birth space and this news might have been a significant blow to your birth plan if you are due this month. Though The Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal (AWHONN) released an incredible statement in support of doulas as members of the birth team during the COVID-19 outbreak, many hospitals are anxious about allowing extra support persons in the birthing space. Despite this barrier, doulas are still serving mothers across the country.

While hands-on support during birth is not possible, you can still enjoy in-person visits (if your doula is offering this), virtual video conferences, phone calls, and written text and email support. Several doulas, including us here at Aila Birth Village, are offering in-person support at home while you labor until you decide to head to the hospital. So doulas can still provide unparalleled support, albeit in a modified manner, in these uncertain times. You can even use doulas to get information to help you think about your options. Doulas are still showing up for you and wanting to love up on you…we have got you 100%.

Reframe your thinking to embrace what you can control versus what you cannot.

Can you control your thoughts? Can you control your response to some unexpected hospital policies? Can you control how much time and effort you spend preparing for your birth? Yes, yes, and yes. Now is the time to tap into the power of thought and what you can control. Our minds are very powerful tools that can make the difference between positive and negative outcomes. Sit down for 30 minutes and list what you can control. While this time can be frustrating, it is up to you to confront this time with the power that is within. Need help with making your list? I’d love to help - reach out today!

Reclaim Your Power by Writing a Birth Plan

Simply put, a birth plan outlines your preferences during labor and childbirth, like if you want (or don’t want) pain management or whether you want to delay cord clamping. While writing your birth plan, research your options and think about what makes you and your partner, if applicable, comfortable. Why? Because you are still the birthing mother. And guess what? This means you still have power. A birth plan is no guarantee of how your birth will turn out, but just by putting pen to paper, thinking about your options at length, and writing your birth plan, you have already taken a significant step towards the birth you deserve to have. Curious about what a birth plan consists of and how to write one that suits you and your family? You can contact me today and we will work together to get it done.

Even While Social Distancing, Stay Social

Our social networks can often keep us sane. They laugh with us, encourage us, support us, and in this crazy time, can anchor us. If you have family members or friends with children of their own, talk to them about how you are feeling. Ask them if they have any advice to share as you move towards your due date. Bond with them. Hold on fiercely to these connections. In a time where we are isolated, it can feel all the more overwhelming to manage this alone. You don’t have to do it alone. Reach out to loved ones, your doula, and your online network.

Focus On The Present

If you are glued to your television screen like many others, you may be thinking about everything that could possibly go wrong. But we do not know what the future holds. So focus on the now, the present. Focus on what you do know.

You know that you are expecting a beautiful baby. You know that you will soon be able to hold your baby in your arms and cuddle him or her. You know that you’ve set up a lovely space for your baby when they come home. You know that you feel an overwhelming swell of excitement when your baby kicks. This is what matters. Embrace this feeling, hold on to it, and plan to your rock your birth like the boss you are and always have been.