WHAT PREGNANCY LOOKS LIKE IN 2020 COVID-19 Stories by Mary Jeneverre Schultz
Life’s greatest moments—such as welcoming a newborn into the world—have continued on despite the pandemic. Pregnant women are facing medical uncertainties, curbing their cravings while many of their favorite restaurants are closed, and giving birth in hospitals that are also caring for COVID-19 patients. Nationally, anxiety and worries of an uncertain future is making moms think twice before having children. According to the CDC, the number of births have dropped one percent from last year’s figures. However, here in Denver, Alana Zhu, a nurse at Denver Health in Labor and Delivery has seen a steady number of pregnant moms. She said: “The number of deliveries hasn’t changed. Babies come whenever they want! Moms are getting more education regarding COVID-19 during their pregnancy. And moms are tested for COVID-19—unless they decline—when they are admitted to the labor deck.” A HEALTHY AND SAFE PREGNANCY Social distancing, staying home and washing hands are recommended for everyone, especially pregnant women. As a nurse, Ruben Javier, whose wife gave birth on April 24, washed his hands
religiously. “I was washing my hands all the time,” he said. “If I touched something, I washed my hands after for at least 20 seconds.” Not only are pregnant women and their partners being extra careful with handwashing, they are also avoiding contact with other people. Lin Johnson shared her struggle with morning sickness. “I had all day and night sickness for the first five months of my pregnancy,” she said. “I was pretty much bed- or couch-ridden during that time, exhausted with no sleep and running to the sink every hour, so I was stuck at home with no visitors.” With food cravings, Johnson said it was difficult to get to her favorite restaurants. “As a pregnant woman craving all sorts of foods, I was really sad when some of my favorite restaurants closed completely during quarantine.” When COVID-19 hit Colorado, a pregnant Jessalyn Herreria Langevin and her husband Dan began working from home. Langevin said: “Working from home has helped with social distancing as I have been too busy working to do much else. But I wonder if I’ve gained too much weight since my gym membership is on
Jessalyn Herreria Langevin is due this September. Moe (left) and Gus (right) are looking forward to the new addition to their family.
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June 2020 | Cover Story
Alana Zhu is a nurse at Denver Health in Labor and Delivery.
hold, my hips hurt during long walks, and I am frequently ravenous.” Denver resident Lisa Nguyen, who gave birth on May 17, knew the added risks of being pregnant. “I practiced social distancing and wore a face mask every time I left the house as I knew my immune system was compromised from the pregnancy,” she said. DOCTOR’S ORDERS Nguyen’s doctor advised her to keep the stress levels down. “I, along with all other pregnant women had to worry about staying healthy for ourselves and protecting our babies,” said Nguyen, adding she had to prepare for the unexpected. She continued, “Unfortunately, the health industry changed a lot of the rules at the hospital during the pandemic, such as only allowing one parent to be in the room during ultrasounds and various other tests.” Lynda Saignaphone was 37 weeks pregnant when the Stay-At-Home order began on March 26 in Colorado. “I had my doctor appointment on that same day. My partner accompanied me, but when we arrived he was not allowed to go in. The guideline was just put in
