Bringing in a new life to the world is a beautiful thing and the parents are very excited about it. There is a feeling of joy and a bit of fear and anxiety about the added responsibilities. Already there is a lot to think about, what happens when a viral illness is doing rounds.
Pandemic is an illness that affects a large number of people all around the world.(1) When a pandemic sets in, it brings about a change in a lot of things. Most of the plans made by us are disturbed and cancelled. There are a few things which have to be carried out and also need to be done with precautions. The delivery of a baby is one of them.
The due date to deliver a child cannot be postponed. The birth might fall a few days before or after the given due date. It has to happen, irrespective of any pandemic or any other situation going on. If you are prepared to welcome a new being into your life there are just a few things you need to be aware of to have a happy and safe delivery during pandemic.
How To Prepare To Deliver A Baby During A Pandemic?
Be Extra Cautious For The Birth
The first question that the to-be parents worry about is about the chances of their new-born to contract the virus.
Pregnant females and senior citizens are mostly placed in a high-risk category of being affected by any kind of illness.
There are low chances of the baby getting the infection from the mother. If either of the parents is susceptible to the infection the baby should be kept away for safety reasons.
It is important to keep the doctor informed so that the precautions can be taken, so that the virus does not spread to other females in the same ward.
Know About The Changed Policies Of The Hospital Beforehand
To avoid the last time hassle, it is important to be known about hospital policies.
Many hospitals temporarily halt or postpone certain procedures and appointments. For this, you need to be in touch with the gynecologist and clarify all the doubts.
Before going for any prenatal appointment speak with the doctor for the availability to avoid unnecessary exposure.
There should a birth plan ready and you should be prepared for it.
Get Used To Technology
During the time of a pandemic when most of the sources of information become not reachable, the internet can come of wonderful use.
The internet can be of help in knowing the crucial details about what can be done in case of emergencies. You can speak with your doctor on video calls and take advice accordingly.
You can also meet your relatives and friend through your video conferencing app, as not meeting them for long can bring in stress which is not good during pregnancy.
Practice Good Hygiene
Pregnancy is a time when the immunity gets low. This means you need to take extra care of your health for you and your baby’s health.
Following basic hygiene, social distancing, and not stepping out of the safe zone until there is an emergency, is very important.
Stock Up Essentials Beforehand
There are certain essential products for the baby and the mother that would be required when the baby is in the house.
There are certain things that need to be stocked up beforehand.
After the child is born the parents would need to give extra attention and care to the new bundle of joy and would be short of time to get these necessities.
During a spread of a pandemic, how the world function changes a lot. There are stress and anxiety among everyone. So worrying about self and the baby is obvious for the to-be mother. But there is no need to panic. Speak with the trusted health professional or reach out to the support group.
It is important to stay calm during any crisis and go through the phase with an easy mind, as stress would complicate the situation.
