Having a newborn during a pandemic

Our state is 1 week into our 2 week quarantine which I suspect will be extended another week.  Covid 19 doesn’t really scare me but the rules and regulations do. When you are about 4 weeks out from giving birth the ramifications of one of us getting sick is scary and keeping 9 of us healthy is daunting.

I am saddened that my kids and family can’t come to see me and  the new baby at the hospital but grateful that my husband will be there with me-BUT- that’s only if he has no symptoms of sickness.

And what happens if one of us does get sick? The dr is ordering me not to go out at all at this stage of pregnancy in order to stay healthy so I know I would not be the one to be able to care for a sick child. The Hubby has an essential job so he is still working and wouldn’t be able to be home to help.

Pretty Girl is working drive thru at a local fast food place. They wear gloves but no masks. How do I keep germs out of the house when I am contending with that? And she needs the money to pay for gas, car insurance, and other essential bills(shes a college student) so it’s not as simple as quitting.

Do I quarantine my adult kids in the trailer for 4 weeks who are still going out into the germ filled world for various reasons?? That seems so extreme and I would be so sad to be totally separated from them for so long😢

There are other factors too which makes it feel like I am fighting a losing battle.

And of course no one wants a newborn coming down with any kind of sickness.  With peanut we had the flu sweep through our house decimating 6 out of 9 of us but also taking down my mom who was going to be coming to help. It was terrible to be so sick ( I had the start of pneumonia in one lung)and have to be the lone person to take care of a breastfeeding baby with jaundice( bili blanket and daily trips to the hospital for blood draws)and other loved ones who were sick. I DO NOT want to go through that again with any sickness!

This is not quite the environment I have envisioned bringing child #8 into.

The last few weeks are usually a hectic time while preparing for a newborn- washing baby clothes, getting essentials, setting up baby’s area, pulling baby gear out of storage, prepping freezer meals, etc etc. but with the virus it has added a whole new layer of preparedness and anxiety to it all. 😬

So I do not live in fear of the virus itself but of the repercussions of having it as it applies to our family and current situation.

Please pray for good health for all of us and wisdom in navigating this new world!

Many Blessings,

The Mama