Life changing experience in mist of a crisis: Being a New Parent During Covid-19

Bringing new life into the world is already challenging enough. Now residents are being faced with adversity becoming new parents during the covid-19 pandemic. Texas doctors and Hospitals have taken extra precautionary steps in order for parents and babies to have a safe transition into their new life.

According to Texas Monthly, Doctors have taken action by spacing out check-ups and conducting appointments over the phone in order to reduce the risk of new mothers and their baby from being in contact with the coronavirus. Screening patients and visitors for symptoms before entering the hospital. Keeping the delivery room isolated with only mother and father being in the room.

One resident who recently delivered her baby shared her experience of not being able to be surrounded by her loved ones during her labor and delivery process“I had to facetime my mom and aunt...They were supposed to be in the room,” Kiah Rich stated in her recent interview. Expressing the hardship of delivering her bundle of joy without her main supporters in the room.

The challenges of the virus are weighing hard on new parents, not being able to have the physical help from family and friends during their new stage of life. Facetiming and sending countless messages in order for family members to continue being a support system.

The expectations of new moms have gone from picture perfect to risking delivery alone. Evelyn Castillo went through her pregnancy with high expectation of a delivery room filled with family or at least with the father of her child holding her hand. Due to the unfortunate situations Evelyn had to undergo caesarean surgery, where she was no longer given the same opportunities as most new moms with at least 1 supporter, the child's father, in the room.

“Was really hard and really devastating just because I didn't picture it the way I pictured it when I was little,” Evelyn Castillo expressed.

While this time has been quite different for the new parents, many have joined virtual support groups that will help carry them through this new journey as mother & father during covid-19.