Surprise! Our family is celebrating a pandemic pregnancy. It’s been an interesting ride, that keeps changing. The year 2020 is one we are going to remember for the rest of our lives. The entries I’m keeping in my pregnancy journal are pretty epic. If you haven’t been a high-risk expectant mother during a pandemic, well have you really experienced life?
Gender Reveal
We found out about our new addition at 9 weeks and shared the news with our families at 10 weeks. By week 11, we knew the gender! Now that I’m in my mid-thirties, I’m on the older end of expectant mothers. Therefore, I have opted to participate in the majority of genetics testing. When I was offered the NIPT test, I accepted. The one major advantage of the NIPT test is that you receive an early gender result. Our results were returned in days, and we quickly found out the baby was healthy and a ___… Well, you’ll have to wait until our gender reveal party post.
We did throw a very small gender reveal gathering before the pandemic. I can’t wait to share all the things I learned about the gender reveal options out there.
A Holiday Due Date
I’ve always imagined that we’d celebrate our child’s birthdays around a holiday. I envisioned Valentine’s Day themed parties or Halloween costume parties. Well, my intuition was close for a birthday… we did manage a holiday. Are you ready to find out which one? LABOR DAY.
Yes, not only am I pregnant in a pandemic but I am due on Labor Day. I swear you can’t make this up.
All the Rules Changed
The rules of pregnancy have changed courtesy of our friend Corona. A Pandemic pregnancy is very different from other pregnancies. By week 11 of this pregnancy, no one was allowed to attend my visits with me. Not even Jerad. By week 15, the doctor’s office staff was wearing masks during visits and by week 18, I was also wearing a mask to all my visits. Let’s just say that it’s a good thing I don’t melt under pressure and handle high-stress situations well.
Another caveat of the changing in rules: as of now, we won’t be able to participate in any of the free parenting classes offered by local hospitals.
All Things Baby & Maternity
There are so many baby products and maternity items out there, and I’ve learned I’m not a fan of a lot of the items in the marketplace right now. Don’t even get me started on the cost and subpar options out there in plus-size maternity wear. I’m doing everything in my power to purchase a limited amount of items and create a capsule wardrobe that is authentic to my own personal style. Honestly, it’s been a struggle. Anything that I find that I like is overpriced! So far, I’ve built a wardrobe form Kohls, Wal-Mart, Motherhood Maternity, with a splash of Lilly Pulitzer.
Our nursery is going to be really unique and I cannot wait to share it with you once it is finished. It’s going to be adorable.
Do you know anyone going through a pandemic pregnancy? Any tips you’d like to share with me?
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- Amanda is a native of Richmond, VA. She enjoys writing, blogging, traveling, shopping, and spending time with friends and family.
