LIFE AFTER RESTRICTIONS
Becoming a mum is a big and new experience for any woman, especially for the first time; but how about doing it during a worldwide pandemic? We are struggling to adapt to life after restrictions.
I found out I was pregnant in January 2020, and had my first scan in February, fast forward one month later the lockdown began. At this stage I wasn’t really too worried as I thought surely this won’t still be going on in September when I was due to give birth, how wrong was I!
I enjoyed my pregnancy, and the extra time I spent at home with my husband, we live with my parents and brother and sister (full house – I know!) so I was grateful for this as it would’ve been very different if I couldn’t see them too, and I really feel for the new mums that couldn’t see family.
Jacob was born on 6th September 2020 after a 10 hour labour, the first 6 hours I was alone in the hospital, having to keep yourself calm while trying to communicate to the midwifes what was happening was really difficult; the midwifes didn’t believe how fast I was progressing so kept telling me to get some rest. After a lot of begging for someone to check how dilated I was, the midwife quickly apologised, said I was 7cm and to call my husband to get here as soon as he could. He had popped home to get a blanket, expecting a long night of waiting in the car so he raced back to the hospital in record time.
Due to Jacob being back to back I couldn’t get him out so after around 4 hours of pushing and a lot of blood, sweat and tears (an episiotomy and suction cup too!) he was born.
Jacob is now 10 months and with lockdown rules eased I can’t help but feel anxious for what is to come. Having been told my whole pregnancy and Jacobs whole life to stay away from people, this included friends and loved ones; I now can’t imagine people touching and holding Jacob.
When we have seen people – at a distance and always abiding by the rules; he is always so excited to see a new face so I hope he is too young to have truly been affected by it all. I’ve spoken to other mums who have older children and have had instances where they’ve had to tell their child to stay away from other children at the park; which is obviously not really what we want to be teaching them.
The most we’ve done in Jacobs life is go for walks to our local park or coffee shop, and these small activities feel so daunting to me, obviously as this is my only experience as a mother I couldn’t say what I would’ve been like without the pandemic, but I don’t imagine I would’ve been this nervous.
It feels like we are so used to not being around family and friends, we are now so well trained in how to live life the way we currently are, isolated and distanced, that the thought of getting back to some kind of normal seems impossible.
I think it’s really important for us mums to remember that just because the rules are changing we should still do what we are comfortable with. We go through so much to bring this tiny human into the world so it’s understandable we feel nervous, pandemic or not.
I worry all the time, is Jacob doing enough of what he should be doing at his age? Is he playing enough? Is he watching too much tv? Is he interacting enough? Getting enough fresh air? All the normal worries mums have I’m sure, heightened by this lack of normality he was born into. But then when I look at this happy little boy I realise I must be doing something right and it’s just going to take some time getting used to and easing our self back into the new version of “normal”
Oh, I can’t even imagine how difficult it must be to ease back with a baby that has been born through the pandemic and that’s their normal. But I think you should also acknowledge that you managed to have a baby and get them through, it will take time to adjust, but you’re doing great!
Loved reading this guest post. As I’m not a mum, I’ve not really considered this side of things before and how different things have been for babies and young children over the last year and whether that will affect them in any way. If I had a baby right now I’d definitely feel a bit funny about suddenly getting my baby too close to other people after so long x
We get so used to lockdown and now that restrictions are lifting, it gets weird haha. But in your case, with your 10-month son, I would be so anxious about people holding my baby too, yikes. I wish you good health and guidance with your motherhood journey. Thanks for sharing! A lovely read.
http://www.lifebeginsattwenty.com
It has been a unique experience shared around the world and getting back parts of life as it was before restrictions were put in place is going to take some time to adjust to. I can’t imagine how difficult it has been/will be with a young child. I think we’re far better at adapting than we may realise so I am sure that you and your family will make the best of it — it seems like you’ve done a fab job so far!
Congratulations on the birth of Jacob. I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been especially during the pandemic. Been there for your baby is the best thing he could ever ask for, so worry less and enjoy this moment.