It’s Ok To Be Frightened Right Now
It’s Okay to be frightened right now … you are bringing a baby into a brave new world
Nobody said it was going to be easy. Nor will this changed time be over quickly. The world is changed forever. There is a great unknown and so many unanswerable questions, at the moment. The thought of being pregnant and having a baby at this historic time, with so much up in the air, may feel somewhat overwhelming, even frightening, but it WILL be OK.
Focussing on the constants, is the answer. Friends and family, although they may feel far away, they are still there. Other babies are being born during this time. Other parents are going to hospital, receiving extra special care from doctors and nurses at this time, delivering babies the very same way women did prior to Covid-19 and taking their little bundles of fun home in just the same way to start their new life as a family.
Unlike non-expectant parents, you have had time to plan for a hit to your finances …. I assume you were planning to take leave to have this baby all along. The rest of us have been taken by surprise and are likely to be feeling the pinch of unprepared financial constraint at the moment… it’s tough for us all. As a nation, we are slowly learning that there will be financial support from government for most. In fact, many people will be receiving more income than they would have when they were working. So, that’s a plus, if you fall into that category.
Being pregnant, is going to send you into a tail spin in those last few weeks and days anyway. It does that to us all, as we sense the anticipation of birth creep in. That inevitability is a similar experience for everyone. Try to harness this anticipation, and if it starts to turn to anxiety, flip it on its head to excitement and expectation instead.
This will take some practice, but as you sense worrying thoughts, visualise the calm of the birth room or theatre, picture the moments shared with your chosen birth support, as you both work your way through just one contraction at a time, then another, then the next one. All the while knowing that each one brings you that bit closer to having your squishy little babe in your arms.
Surrender to the knowledge and support of your midwife and doctor. They are there to provide any medical care needed and to optimise a healthy outcome for all. Let the mechanisms of the birth room go. They may be necessary, but they are incidental to you. You will be cared for regardless. This is your moment. Focus inwards on your body, on your breath. You are designed for this. Let it flow.
Picture that unique moment when your baby reaches Earth side, you are suddenly, after all these months, no longer pregnant. Instead you are meeting this brand new human for the first time. This human that you have both created and will now know by sight, by touch, by smell and by sound. In the space of a few hours, you have become parents!
You are now entering a brand new , incredibly exciting and satisfying life stage like no other. One full of learning, tenderness and love. You are creating a family …. there is no more important moment in your life, or role to play. Be mindful. Practice patience. Promote calm. Go gently.
Believe me when I tell you, viruses will be the last thing on your mind!