Expectant mum shares COVID-19 concerns

Brisbane journalist and first time mum Kristy Muir shares what it is like to be pregnant during the coronavirus pandemic and how others in similar positions are feeling.

Kristy Muir of Brisbane is expecting her first child at the end of April 2020. Picture: Lucy Kinbacher Photography

IT should be one of the happiest times in a woman’s life but mums-to-be around the world are feeling anything but.

I am one of them.

At 35 weeks pregnant, I was already anticipating a certain level of anxiety and stress surrounding our baby girl’s arrival at the end of the month, but COVID-19 has added a whole new level of fear to the mix.

Kristy Muir of Brisbane is expecting her first child at the end of April 2020. Picture: Lucy Kinbacher Photography

While the health ramifications relating to mothers and babies contracting COVID-19 seems to vary depending on which doctor is quoted in the newspaper or online, I am trying to remain calm while erring on the side of caution.

I have been self isolating with my husband for the past couple of weeks, choosing to do online shopping as much as possible and only leave the house for doctor appointments and anything essential that we cannot get online.

While COVID-19 fears have been hanging over my head for the past couple of months, I didn’t expect to end up in hospital recently for three days with something completely unrelated.

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A high temperature and extreme dehydration from the infection put my baby into distress (and me of course). Honestly it was the most sick I have ever been in my life and it made me realise how vulnerable we all are, which only added to my stress around the pandemic.

The hospital staff were great and these doctors and nurses will be the ones helping bring my baby into the world later this month.

But to keep all of them safe (and other mums and bubs) there have been some necessary changes announced at the hospital (and others), from the postponement of antenatal classes, including CPR courses, to pregnant women only having one support person with them during their stay.

Some women on the Brisbane mums and bubs groups on Facebook are choosing to undergo labour on their own to keep their little ones safe while others have not been given a choice. I don’t want to have to give birth without my husband there but in these crazy times, we just have to do what we have to do.

Kristy Muir of Brisbane is expecting her first child at the end of April 2020. Picture: Lucy Kinbacher Photography

Another added stress has been panic buying which has impacted mums-to-be and mothers in general, with limited availability of products you need (in bulk most of the time) – nappies, baby wipes, hand sanitiser, baby Panadol and formula.

Panic buying has also pushed businesses to halt or put limits on the selling of important newborn items online which then forces you to go against doctors’ advice and brave the shops.

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Manufacturers also seem to be slowing the roll out on certain products, with baby shops across Brisbane not having a lot of in demand items such as the highest safety-rated car seats. But even once you have got your car seat, there is a lack of professionals to install it properly with RACQ halting its services and other companies looking to do the same in the coming weeks.

Becoming a mum for the first time or the fourth time should be a joyful, if not exhausting, experience that sees you and your baby showered with love and support but now that has to happen from afar, which is making women feel extremely isolated, unsupported and distressed. Even getting a simple newborn photo shoot with family is a risk nowadays.

The financial, emotional and physical impacts of COVID-19 are pushing women to reach out to the community around them via social media, which hopefully means they will receive the support they need.

If you or someone you know needs help phone Lifeline on 13 11 14.