Todd Goldstein and his wife Felicity are preparing for a new arrival – with a new obstetrician – during the coronavirus crisis

It’s an uncertain time for all during the coronavirus crisis, but North Melbourne’s Todd Goldstein and his wife Felicity are preparing to bring a new arrival into a very changed world.

Paddy Ryder and Todd Goldstein go head-to-head in Round 1. Picture: Michael Klein

North Melbourne ruckman Todd Goldstein and his wife Felicity are trying to keep things as normal as possible during the coronavirus outbreak which has shut down the AFL and brought about a virtual lockdown of Australian homes.

But the pair have had to source a new obstetrician due to the pandemic.

Their obstetrician had been on a doctors and surgeons’ cruise to Antarctica before being stuck in South America for a period as the global health crisis unfolded.

It is understood the obstetrician has now arrived back in Australia, but will have to isolate for 14 days.

“The (obstetrician) we have been seeing went to some sort of doctors’ tour of Antarctica,” Goldstein said. “She was due back this week, but we’ve had to make a late change to another one.

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Todd Goldstein and Felicity at the Brownlow Medal. Picture: Getty Images

“It’s lucky we are both pretty relaxed people. It hasn’t bothered us too much. Like everyone else, there is so much unknown about all this, and we don’t know what is around the corner. But we’re trying to stay positive.

“Until we can get a better picture of what we are dealing with, we will just get by as best as we can.”

This is Felicity’s first child. Todd has three other children – Olivia (9), Mackenzie (7) and Lachlan (almost 5) – from a previous relationship.

Goldstein and his wife have decided not to find out the sex of their impending arrival, who is due on April 12.

“As long as the baby is healthy, we will be happy,” he said.

Goldstein feels as if he was on “paternity” leave, but said one of the positives of the AFL shutdown was spending more time with his wife and not being in Brisbane for what would have been the Kangaroos’ Round 2 clash with the Lions.

Todd Goldstein in action for the Roos in Round 1. Picture: AAP Images

“I am sure for myself and for my wife, it would have been a fairly stressful having two to three days (away in Brisbane),” he said.

“I suppose this is a bit like paternity leave that I didn’t think I would be getting.”

The 31-year-old, who was dominant in North Melbourne’s Round 1 win over St Kilda, praised the Kangaroos fans who have committed to the club during the greatest challenge in the AFL’s history.

“The lifeblood of a footy club is its fans and North Melbourne supporters have stood by us through some very difficult periods,” he said.

“I’ve heard over 50 members have signed up (since the AFL shutdown). That makes you take stock of how fortunate we are to be in this role.”

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He is getting his head around how best to keep fit during the lockdown, even though he doesn’t know how long it will go on for.

“We know for a month and a bit, we are not going into the football club,” he said. “Rhyce (Shaw) was keen for us to spend time with our families at home.

“Over the next few days, the club will start to work out a few programs for us. Everyone is still trying to get their heads around it.”

For the moment, though, his thoughts are fixed on his wife as the countdown for their new arrival rolls on.

Originally published as Todd Goldstein and his wife Felicity are preparing for a new arrival – with a new obstetrician – during the coronavirus crisis