‘I Just Have To Hope The Baby’s Doing OK’: How It Feels To Be Pregnant Or Trying To Conceive During Coronavirus

Government advice seems to be changing constantly, for all of us. But one group of women particularly invested in the news cycle and figuring out what they should do are those who are pregnant and those trying to conceive.

Pregnant women are currently being advised to minimise social contact for up to 12 weeks as of this weekend, according to new government guidance. They join other at-risk groups including those with underlying health conditions and over-70s in being asked to stay at home. Those trying to conceive, and especially those starting or half way through fertility treatments, are wondering what is best. It’s an impossibly difficult time.

We spoke to five women currently dealing with the challenges, questions and isolation physical and mental) problems that coronavirus is confronting them with.

Susanne, 25 weeks pregnant

To me, it feel so surreal. My pregnancy is progressing as normal, I feel fine. Yet I feel to protect myself and my baby I have to put things in place to make sure we don’t contract the virus.

I find myself worrying about the ‘what ifs’ a lot. What if I get ill, will my baby get it? Will it be able to fight the virus? What if I go into labour?

There was a big lack of information up until this week. And I think still a lot of information is not evidence-based because so few cases of pregnant women with coronavirus have been recorded so far.

I think being pregnant can be quite an isolating time already, because of the changes you go through both physically and mentally. Having to stay at home only adds to that isolation.

On the other hand, we’re so lucky to live in a time where we have so many ways to stay in touch with friends and family digitally. Through FaceTime, WhatsApp and Instagram I can stay more connected with those I love.

It also provides me with an opportunity to switch off when I want to, by simply putting away my phone. No unsolicited advice when I’m not in the mood!

Alicia, 11 weeks pregnant

I feel like there is a lack of information on the subject, so it can be worrying. It’s common knowledge that pregnant women have weakened immune systems so you have to take extra precautions even when everything is normal.

It’s hard enough feeling unwell and tired, the anticipation of a new baby and then throw in isolation, it’s certainly not easy! That said you have to try and stay positive. Do what you can to protect others as well as yourself and your baby.

I’ve got my first scan next Friday, and I’m excited to see the baby, but I don’t feel keen on going into a hospital and am not sure what’s best – I’ll speak to my midwife and take her advice.

It’s a situation that we don’t have any control over so I’m trying to focus on what I can control. Taking advantage of being able to exercise more since I’m working from home and my schedule is flexible. Maybe sneaking in a nap or two to better protect myself by being well rested. Also, I’m focusing on the happy news of bringing in baby into the world. It’s uncertain times but in the end it’s the circle of life that keeps us all moving forward.

Yeen, 29 weeks pregnant

I was pretty chilled about the whole situation until the news said that pregnant women are now in the at risk group. This made a lot of my friends/family/employees worried about me and suggested I should self isolate.

I have made the decision to self isolate and keep my 16-month-old daughter away from the childminders to ensure we are safe.

I’m worried about our mental state and having to keep a toddler indoors and being heavily pregnant. I'm also worried about having to stay indoors with a newborn when it’s an important time to socialise and meet other mums.

I’m very excited to meet baby but also feel scared about the whole situation... will there be a bed in hospital for me? Will I be able to buy nappies?! So many concerns! But I'm trying to think positively and not stress.

Mia, 35 weeks pregnant

I knew I might experience a lot of anxieties towards the end of my pregnancy, but I really didn't expect a global pandemic to be top of my worry list. It's definitely put my other pregnancy concerns into perspective - now the gestational diabetes, aches and pains, dizziness and fears about the birth itself are the least of my worries. I just want our baby to arrive safely, and not be exposed to the virus in any way.

Meet-ups with friends, NCT sessions and days out I had planned with my mum - who is considered high risk in her 70s - are now out of the question. It's sad to have to restrict yourself when you want to be celebrating what should be a magical time with all your loved ones.

I have a sort throat, so my midwife appointments are now being done over the phone. This is another concern, as they won't be able to test my urine or listen to the baby's heartbeat – so I just have to hope the baby's doing OK.

It's definitely left me and my partner feeling a lot more uncertain about the next month, and whether he'll be able to attend the scans or the birth itself – we've even started Googling videos on what to do in the event of a home birth! But we're hoping by the time the baby arrives next month the NHS will feel more prepared and informed about what coronavirus means for newborns and parents. And at least it will be an interesting story to tell the baby when it's grown up!

Sara, trying to conceive via IVF

I've been trying to conceive for almost three years and around two years ago, we got the news that we would need IVF if we were to get pregnant. There is a problem with my partner's sperm - just after we got married, he fell ill with the flu and it led to a series of very serious health problems, which affected his fertility. After a year of waiting on the NHS, we started our first cycle of IVF/ICSI last autumn. It was gruelling but successful and we froze three embryos. We had a frozen embryo transfer a month ago but sadly we found out recently – just as coronavirus started to seem really serious – that it hadn't worked this time.

Our grief about that was very intense - but it was soon eclipsed by the global concern about coronavirus. We were due to go to an appointment about next steps in April but that's in an NHS hospital in London, one that is currently treating people with Covid-19. I think we'll have to put it on hold. I think we have to put everything on hold. I think about what if the news had been different a couple of weeks ago; what if I had been pregnant! It would have been so exciting but so worrying given the most recent guidelines. Now, I just hope those two frozen embryos will still be there when this is all over.

*Some names have been changed

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