Then There Was COVID-19

Hello 2nd & 3rd trimester….

Finally, things started to get better. As we entered the second trimester, the morning sickness lightened up and I was able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I started to really enjoy my pregnancy while still in shock that this was really happening. We started planning the baby shower and as everything progressed with the planning we continued to get even more excited. After a few weeks, the morning sickness had completely gone away and I was finally able to eat again. My appetite came back and although certain foods were off limits, I was able to keep the good stuff down. Baby boy definitely controlled my every move at this point. If I ate anything he didn’t like, he would immediately, let me know. After a while I gained a good sense of what my body could or could not tolerate.

Toward the middle to end of the second trimester things were smooth and the morning sickness had completely gone away. The baby shower was locked in, deposits were paid to the vendors and family members booked their travel arrangements. We were simply just waiting on the day to arrive. These were the times everyone said would eventually come. These were the times, I looked forward to, not sick, able to eat enjoy my baby bump and look forward to my very first baby shower.

Then everything took a turn for the worse…..

COVID-19 an illness that spread globally causing the world to basically shut down. Just as we finalized our baby shower, the State of Illinois and other states began implementing stay at home orders to prevent people from traveling and participating in group activities. This resulted in businesses being forced to close and travel bans being put in place. What’s even worse is this took place a few weeks before the baby shower date. I was crushed but I figured it wouldn’t last long so we would still be able to host our baby shower. Well, I thought wrong! As we got closer to mid April the stay at home executive order was extended. This time, extending pass the date of shower. This meant that it was basically impossible to still have our shower on the original date. By this time, I’m an emotional wreck. My initial due date was June 2nd so being on lock down until May just about made it impossible to carry on. Can you imagine being pregnant with your first child and not able to experience your first baby shower?! I was honestly torn into pieces. Other than experiencing the birth, having a baby shower is something that every mom looks forward to. Especially me! Simply because it was an opportunity to be surrounded by my close friends and even family members that I haven’t seen in years.

At this point, I had to accept the fact that we wouldn’t have a baby shower. I even made an attempt to push the date back to mid May but guess what?! Another stay at home order extension took place so I knew it was over. I knew there was no way possible to host this shower with my due date being June 2nd. Just too much madness going on in the world. I can’t even put into words how this affected me, physically but more so emotionally. I tried to consider other options like having a virtual shower or even a no contact drive by shower but it wouldn't be the same.

Here we are early May and another turn for the worse. Back in April I experienced two occurrences of elevated blood pressure. Also known as, gestational hypertension which could lead to per-eclampsia. As a result, my doctor insisted that I get induced at 37 weeks to ensure the safety of the baby and myself.

Lets just say, this year has been a true roller coaster ride and we are barely scratching the surface. Stay tuned for the birth!