Coping with COVID-19 as a FTM

The year 2020 started off as a year of excitement, big dreams and planning. We were trying for a baby, ready to upgrade our home, and having multiple trips planned. On January 25th, I found out I was pregnant. We couldn't believe how fast it happened, and it really seemed like 2020 was going to be the year of our dreams. And then, WHO announced coronavirus was officially a pandemic and our lives quickly came to a halt. Although home purchases were put to an end and travel plans were canceled, I was still pregnant and eager to make the best of it.

Dealing with pregnancy when in isolation is difficult. All I wanted to do was call up my girlfriends and get together for some brunch or coffee - but alas, I was stuck home with a growing belly and not able to drink wine. With all my new free time, I decided to get to work on myself and get ready for the next chapter of my life.

During this time, I had the chance to connect with cleaning my home. It's always been a struggle to find the motivation to wash the floors and dust the bookshelf. Especially, after a long day at work - but now with my new schedule, I found a new rhythm. Every morning, I wake up early and start my chores, I now love walking around my house throughout the day and appreciating the clean kitchen and vacuumed stairs of our home.

During my downtime, I have picked up crafting and started getting small projects done for the nursery. I built a change table topper with my husband, stained the crib, and made a custom mobile for baby. I learned what felting is and I am now looking for any reason to felt a wool garland. Crafting and working with my hands has always brought me joy, and now - I finally have the time to do it. And the best part is, is that I am creating items for my sweet baby to enjoy in the future.

I have to admit, that being pregnant during a pandemic has not been the easiest period of my life. It's been stressful at times - especially with being cooped up in the house, with nothing to do. There is a laundry list of items I need to accomplish, including picking out a stroller, finding a new bra that fits me and, buying a new car to fit the stroller. All these tasks involve some degree of leaving the home and going into business' which are currently closed. But during this time, I have learned not to focus on the parts of this pandemic that I can not control - but, to try and keep my mind open to the positives. I am able to nap throughout my lunch break, I have time to focus on the small items in my home which need completing and I get to spend more quality time with my husband and unborn baby.

The biggest silver-lining I have found was being able to connect with my baby sooner than I ever imagined. Being home alone gave me an opportunity to connect with my body and learn different pregnancy signals. I was able to feel the baby kick at 15 weeks because I had the time to sit and identify the difference between gas and baby. This is something I genuinely believe would not have happened during my first pregnancy if I was running around for lunch meetings and doing errands.

I know I am not the only one having a difficult time during the pandemic, and I am sure there are many women who feel at a disadvantage because they don't have the chance to have cute pregnancy moments such as going out and grabbing some ice cream, having a brunch with the girls or baby showers. And although it's easy to focus on the negatives at this time - I think it's important for us soon-to-be-moms to keep a positive attitude for not only our own mental health, but also for the well being of our unborn babies.

I hope this inspired you to pick up a new hobby or refocus your time preparing for your little one, and trying to find the silver linings in your COVID pregnancy too.

Written April 2020