Pregnant During a Pandemic

  That's something I never thought I'd be able to say. That I was pregnant during a worldwide pandemic. I'm 34 weeks along as I write this, and am ready to meet our daughter whenever she decides to make her appearance on the outside. Currently, she seems quite comfortable continuing to explore my uterus. Her favorite things to do are headbutt my cervix and kick box everywhere else. That's okay; it reminds me that I have a healthy and active baby. It's the safest place for her to be right now. My pregnancy overall has been pretty smooth, but COVID has created many emotional challenges that I was not expecting to deal with. Obviously, at the end of the day the only thing that matters is that Jordan and I have a healthy little girl. We know that. But the awe and wonder of the first pregnancy, preparing for a child that we are blessed to have even been able to conceive, definitely has been overshadowed by all of the social distancing and fear of the virus.

  I was about 2/3 through this pregnancy when the pandemic really started ramping up. Luckily, this meant that Jordan was able to come with me for the 20 week ultrasound, many of my appointments, and we were able to have a gender reveal party with our family. I am so grateful for those memories. Now, my prenatal visits are either virtual or I have to go on my own. Since Baby Girl and I are both healthy, this isn't a big deal. But if I were to be considered in the high-risk pregnancy category I know that it would be really difficult to have to go in to appointments alone. My first baby shower is going to be over Zoom. While I am obviously excited for it, I was initially disappointed that I wouldn't have a "normal" shower with my family and friends the way I did for my bridal showers. However, I think it allows for my loved ones who live hours away to be able to attend without totally disrupting their lives. There are positives to be had, for sure. Jordan's side is planning a smaller in person shower, which will give me the opportunity to celebrate with some people face to face. In reality, I have the best of both worlds. No matter what, I am loved by many, and so is my daughter.

  Being a pregnant nurse during all of this has created some more unique challenges, as well. Besides having terrible back pain throughout the past 8 months, I now have exposure concerns that others do not. I haven't been able to do everything I would normally be able to do because the exposure policies are different for pregnant women than everyone else. It has been tough having hours cut over the last month, but it has been really nice to be able to catch up on rest and get things ready for Baby to come. While I do feel guilty being unable to do what many other nurses are doing, it has been a relief to not feel forced out into the major danger zones. The organization I work for has done well in keeping me safe. I am also thankful that chiropractors are considered "essential" because without regular adjustments I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to function with my back pain. Oh well, that's what happens when you have long legs and a not very long torso.

  COVID has allowed me to dodge the tummy rubs from strangers and patients, at least for the most part. At the same time, though, I do think that it gives people around me a little ray of sunshine knowing that the world is still going. New life is still forming. There are things that this virus can't stop. Lots of random people will ask how far along I am and what the gender is. It makes my day to have them ask, and I love sharing that she is healthy, active, and that her arrival is very much looked forward to. We also recently did our maternity photos. I have such sweet memories of my sisters helping me get ready and assist with taking the photos, and to have Jordan be the one to edit them. They document the joy that is purely God given and can't be taken away, no matter what is going on in the world.

  I suppose that's the theme I will probably take away from this pregnancy journey. The Lord has bestowed this beautiful gift upon us, and it is a blessing. External circumstances can't change that. A blessing is a blessing, no matter what.