4 mums of newborns share their experiences being pregnant in a pandemic

Pregnancy is no easy ride – add in a global pandemic and it’s a rollercoaster. First, second, third (and an impending fourth) wave, the situation in Hong Kong is ever-changing with government restrictions laid down and lifted repeatedly. Amidst the chaos and uncertainty, four mums went ahead and gave birth. Ahead, they share their pregnancy experiences in their own words and offer some advice to those in the same situation.

Read more: Your guide to breastfeeding-friendly locations in Hong Kong

Kirsty Bartlett and Rory

Delivered at: Queen Mary Hospital 
On: January 22, 2020

Rory was born the day before Hong Kong recorded its very first Covid case. I was very lucky in that I went into labour three weeks early. If Rory had arrived on his expected due date, hospital restrictions would have been in place meaning that my husband Nick wouldn’t have been present for the delivery. 

I had a lot of anxiety over Covid during the weeks that followed because Rory was so little and vulnerable and there wasn’t a lot of information available at that time. We were anxious about where we went and who we spent time with. If we took him out we felt guilty and were paranoid about any potential exposure. I have relaxed over the past few months now that he is older and cases in Hong Kong have dropped.

We are devastated that we haven’t been able to introduce Rory to his extended family due to travel restrictions. It is hard having a first baby without any family support on the ground. In saying that, there is a great support network particularly in Discovery Bay where we live so we are very grateful for close friends and we’ve been able to meet many others in the same situation. We’ve also managed to settle Rory into a great routine, which wouldn’t have been possible if we were in and out of different time zones.  

I will tell Rory that he is a little bright star that lights up what has been a very dark and gloomy time for a lot of people in the world. We feel incredibly lucky to have had him to focus on during this difficult time.

Advice to other mothers: Focus on you and your baby and forget about what you cannot control. Although it’s tough being away from family, there are plenty of ways to get support remotely. We had an amazing midwife based in Australia, who supported us virtually. We also had phone consultations with our paediatrician when we were too anxious to take Rory out of the house during the height of the pandemic. 

Marie-Hélène Farrelly and Elise

Delivered at: Matilda International Hospital
On: March 25, 2020

The pandemic had two main impacts on my pregnancy: firstly, it added a lot of stress and secondly, it made what (in my mind) is meant to be a joyful, sociable time, quite lonely. Concerns about the virus made me more cautious than I would have otherwise been and therefore, day-to-day activities were subject to a cost-benefit analysis. 

I delivered at Matilda International Hospital. Other than the additional mask requirement, my actual birth experience wasn’t really affected by Covid. My husband was present for the delivery and afterwards as we wished. I was lucky in that my health insurance covered the cost of a private hospital room which meant that I had the privacy (and extra “safety” from a virus perspective) of a room on my own and I could also have one additional visitor at any one time.

Elise is now six months old. As expats, my husband and I have missed introducing her to our families the most and she will likely be over a year old by the time she meets them, which is a pity. We enjoy travelling a lot, but even under normal circumstances, having a baby usually restricts the ability to do so. At least we don’t feel like we are missing out on anything right now as everyone has been pretty much “stuck” due to the pandemic. 

Post-Covid, there will most likely be a “new normal” way of living so, when Elise is older, I will be regaling her with stories of what the “old days” used to be like – spontaneous trips abroad, large gatherings of families and friends, and no constant temperature checks or covered faces. 

Advice to other mothers: With regards to the virus, I’d take reasonable precautions but try not to get too worked up as you could drive yourself crazy with worry for little gain. I believe that getting out and about is beneficial, both physically and mentally (health permitting). I’d also suggest joining a “due date” WhatsApp group. As we all know, it takes a tribe to raise a child so you need to keep building your tribe. 

Erin Kennedy and Reece

Delivered at: Queen Mary Hospital
On: April 7, 2020 

I wouldn’t say that our birth went quite as planned, but then what has gone to plan this year? 

We opted to go through the public system and were aware from the beginning that Jason, my husband wouldn’t be allowed in for the birth, or to visit throughout. Despite this, my hospital experience was amazing. The staff were very supportive and helpful from the moment I arrived. The nurses eased my nerves and once I was in the labour room they gave me a landline phone so I could keep Jason updated. 

I am sad for him because he missed the birth of his first child. We’ve also missed the support of both of our parents during this time and they’ve missed out on meeting their first grandchild. But, we’ve been able to spend five months at home together in our little family bubble and we’re so grateful for this precious time. We’ve been given the space to figure out and navigate our own way through parenthood, 100% on our own terms. One day Reece will read about the pandemic in history books and we’ll remind him of all the special time he got to spend with his mum and dad.

Advice to other mothers: Be prepared to throw your “plan” out the window. It’s less stressful, and easier, to be flexible, go with the flow. Accept that whatever happens, it’s all in the interest of keeping your baby and you as safe as can be. Every woman about to give birth has a lot more strength in them then they will ever know, you got this.

Aude Camus and Noa

Delivered at: Queen Mary Hospital
On: June 10, 2020 

After giving birth during a pandemic, I pretty much feel that I can tackle anything that is thrown my way. This gives me so much hope and joy. 

I wouldn’t say that my pregnancy was particularly impacted by Covid. In some ways, it made things slightly easier for me. My job is very social and due to distancing, most events were cancelled so at least I didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything. 

I chose to deliver at Queen Mary Hospital, I was anxious as I’d heard many things about giving birth in a public hospital but I had a completely positive experience. The nurses were so kind to me and answered all my questions (I had many). The only thing I wouldn’t recommend is the food – have someone deliver your meals, and ask for a bed by the window if possible, the view is heavenly. 

I was lucky in that when I got into the delivery room, I was handed a phone and told to inform my partner he could come in for the birth. It was such a relief as I fully anticipated giving birth without him due to Covid restrictions. I would have hated for him to meet his little girl in the hospital car park. 

Following the birth, I had great plans for the summer, these involved extensive travel; both our families coming here to meet Noa and us travelling to our summer home in the South of France. None of this happened of course, which is a shame and our parents have yet to meet their first grandchild, my grandparents, their first great-grandchild. 

When she is able to understand, I will tell Noa that she was a ray of sunshine for our friends and family in what has been one of the most challenging years of our lives.

Advice to other mothers: Giving birth is stressful enough, without the complications that Covid brings. Trust the hospital staff, try not to think about what would have been, and focus on the positives. Soon you will meet your baby, and believe me when I say: nothing else will matter the minute you meet them.

All images courtesy of Graham Uden