by Tracey Bowers-Lee
Koranne Jennings of Pickering Ontario is a soon-to-be mom and has had to alter her prenatal plan because of COVID-19.
She is in the last weeks of her pregnancy and can’t wait to meet her baby girl. However, end to her pregnancy is nothing like what she expected.
Her ultrasound to see her baby and hear her heartbeat has changed. Even her doctor’s appointments aren’t routine.
All the plans she had for the last few months of her pregnancy have all been cancelled or postponed. I spoke to Koranne via Zoom and she explained what it’s been like for her.
How’s your pregnancy been?
It's been up and down. I feel like it's my first child, so I have nothing to compare it to. But my very first trimester was difficult. A lot of nauseous days and then I had some good days, but the majority were nauseous days and then the honeymoon phase was my second trimester, which I was really happy about. So, you know, I was actually out and about and doing my thing.
Then my third trimester, it was like a combination of both. I'm at this point now that I'm like, OK, I'm just ready. I'm ready to see this little bundle of joy come out.
What has it been like for you now, with the last few months of your pregnancy being caught up in the pandemic?
I was smack dab in the middle of the transition. So, at the beginning of March, it wasn't so bad. You could still go and not have as any restrictions. But now with all of these restrictions being implemented, we have to wear a mask and there are only a couple people at a time in the clinic.
And as soon as you walk in, they tell you to go wash your hands and then you apply your hand sanitizer and then right away you go straight to the doctor's office, so there's no sitting down interaction with anybody…
So, it's just it's a different dynamic to have to go in and feel like you have to be so conscious of everything…
I’m kind of nervous at the same time because we've never experienced this.
What about just going out for essentials?
Well, when we do groceries, for instance, we have soap and water at the front of the house all the time. We bring in groceries and we're wiping down the bags, wiping down the boxes…
But any of the shopping, my sister and mom do right now because I'm not going out, right?
Have you thought post baby’s arrival? How do you protect her?
Yeah. So, when she comes, boy, depending on when this thing is over, I feel like I should still stay home for another five months.
Tell me about what your OB has told you about your birthing plan and the hospital.
I’m only allowed one person in the room. They are not allowing any more people. And if it gets worse, it's a possibility that I would be in there by myself. But for now, she's like, ‘no, we definitely will try our best to ensure that you have at least one support person in there.’
Of course, I could also use the iPad or mobile device to video. I know it’s not the same, but what are the alternatives? Whoever I come into the hospital with, it's just that person and I until I leave. So, there's no in and out.
Your baby shower had to be cancelled. What were your feelings when that happened?
I'm not overly upset about it…I mean, given the circumstance, we're in COVID. And this COVID-19 issue puts a whole different dynamic again. So even though I really would have liked a post-baby shower, I still am kind of wary about that because post-baby still exposes you to the possibility of getting infected. And to me, I don't think this is done yet.
I don't even think by the time that say June, July, August, that's enough time to feel a sense of gratification that OK, I can go outside with my child and push her in a stroller and go for a walk. Now among other people, I don't know if I’ll have that sense of confidence yet to go outside and feel that way.
So, yes, now it's a little more disappointing because I have no other choice. And that's what's sad about this whole situation. I have to just go with whatever wave that we're on and hope that they can bend this curve and get us out of the scenario.
What about getting the essential needs for your baby?
I got the necessities that I need for her to come home. You know, the blankets and receiving blankets and rags and some of the washing body gels and stuff, and good lotions and onesies and diapers…I'm waiting for my pump. I have bottles and a tub for her for me to bathe her in.
What are you most looking forward to?
Being a mom. Like that actual term. Taking care of her, having this human being in my hands, watching her grow, training her, showing her how to become a fruitful being in this world having this. And having seen how my mother has two grown women, what it's like to have that bond and that relationship. It's a big thing for me.
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