Collected Item: “Pregnant in a pandemic”
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Give your entry a title
Pregnant in a pandemic
Creator (put anonymous if you don't want your name to appear)
Meg Gurnett
Date
June 27
How are you doing?
I am doing very well. Being quarantined for 4 months has allowed our family to rest (before the birth of our third daughter on April 21,2020) and bond (after the birth). We have enjoyed not having unexpected visitors, and having extra time to complete projects and chores. Having both parents and all 3 children at home has been a blessing. We have enjoyed the relaxed routine.
Are you isolating with someone else, if so who (relationships, not names i.e.. father, sister, roommates, spouse, your children etc.)?
My husband and 3 daughters, aged 4.5, almost 2 and newborn (born around the first peak of the pandemic in Ontario, April 21).
How has COVID-19 affected your home life? How are you passing the time?
Our home life has been fabulous. Our young children don't understand or realize what is happening, so they have been thrilled to be home with their entire family and a relaxed routine. We are passing time by reading, playing outdoors, doing online school for our oldest daughter, cooking and some home renovation projects.
How has it affected your work, education, etc.? Are you an essential worker?
I was able to work from home before beginning maternity leave. My husband was laid off April-June and collected CERB. We are not essential workers.
What about the outbreak and response to it has you most concerned?
My largest concern was giving birth at the hospital and not knowing how bad the pandemic would be at the time I went into labour. It ended up being very quiet at the hospital and I felt safe. Otherwise we have not been too concerned, as we are in a low risk group (20s, and young children) and we have been strict about isolating (with one of us grocery shopping for the family).
Do you know someone who has or has had the virus? How has this affected them?
No.
How well do you think the government and other leaders are responding to the pandemic? What do you think about the local, national and international media coverage?
I think the Ontario and Canadian leaders have done well, with constant updates and support for families. I think the media coverage can be overwhelming but I chose to only check ever couple of days.
What challenges are ahead? How and how fast do you think normal life should be restored?
I think the challenges ahead will be a potential second wave in Canada. And I think international travel should be suspended until a vaccine is in place.
What do you think will be different after the pandemic? What do you think should be different? What will be better or worse?
I think cleaning practices will be different. I hope people will take this opportunity to travel less and improve their impact on the environment.
Do you have anything else to say about the COVID-19 pandemic?
I was anxious during pregnancy, especially when little was known about the virus, but felt the hospital has done a good job of isolating cases and making everyone feel safe. I am glad my partner was allowed to attend the birth with me, and I was able to leave the hospital from the delivery room so I wasn't exposed to another unit of the hospital. I didn't feel like I had less care during pregnancy and postpartum compared to my other pregnancies. Im so thankful that this has allowed my family to be together. I know the pandemic has been difficult for many people but in my case it has improved our mental health and allowed us extra time as a family while receiving financial support from the government.
What is your address? [private]
[private]
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