What are the signs of labor?

“PLEASE LORD GIVE ME A SIGN,” said almost every pregnant woman ever. Well just like no two babies are alike, no two pregnancies are alike, and the signs of labor might hit you square on the head or they might pass you by. If you were to experience any labor signs, these would be them:

Lightening: This is when your baby starts setting into your pelvis right before labor. But, like most signs, this can happen anywhere between a few weeks up to a few hours before labor begins. You may not even feel it, but if you do, it will feel like a lightening of your belly, and you may need to pee more since the baby is moving down your body, adding pressure to your bladder.

Passing of the Mucus Plug: When you pee out the little glob of mucus n’ blood that was once at your cervix, it could mean go time. Or not.

Contractions: This is probably the most significant sign of labor, however there is a distinction between what is considered Braxton Hicks (false labor) and what’s actual labor.

Water Breaking: When your amniotic membrane (aka the fluid-filled sac surrounding the baby) ruptures, you may feel a major gush like in the movies, or a little trickle of fluid leaking down your leg like pee. Super chill. If this happens, note when and how much fluid released and call your doctor. FYI most women’s waters don’t actually break before or during labor, but often times the doctor will rupture it in the hospital. Either way, this is a pretty telltale sign!

Mom Crush

Amy Woodside From The Wing, On Becoming A Single Mama

There are few ways to describe Amy without including descriptors like graceful, inspiring and strong. When we embarked on this journey with The Wing, I knew I’d be moved by the stories I heard and the women I’d meet, but Amy takes it to the next level.
As the founder of OKREAL, a resource for modern women trying to create their own path, Amy’s no stranger to being a pillar of strength for other women. Therefore at 5 months pregnant when she found out some devastating news about her now ex-husband that’s ultimately changed the trajectory of her life, she shares with us how moved she’s been by the solidarity and the kindness she’s felt from other women. She notes, a new sisterhood arises when you’re pregnant—this feeling like ‘we’re in this together’. @fr.amy @heyokreal

Boy or girl?

A son.

Current state of mind?

I have an immeasurable amount of love for my boy. In light of everything, he’s become even more precious & more of a gift to me—the start of his life will also be the start of a new life for me. The past 6 weeks have been awash in so much trauma & pain, and the hardest part is knowing that my baby has been impacted. At almost 6 months pregnant I had dropped back down to my pre-pregnant weight from stress, so my main focus is getting him to feel safe again, and healthy.

Do you feel empowered by becoming a single mom?

Empowered sounds very noble, not quite sure I’m there yet! But I was raised by a single mom of five, so I’ve seen it done and I know it’s entirely possible. Of course, I had a completely different future imagined. I’m still processing the loss of that future, plus the fact that the person who I thought was going to be part of that future was also a complete facade—living an entirely different life on the side. However when it comes to motherhood, I’ve always felt adept. Raising him on my own is not what scares me most. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very aware of how hard it is going to be and how this alters the trajectory of my entire life—but I’ve seen it done with such grace, and know that I am capable.

What does scares you the most?

That I was with someone for 8 years who was not who I thought he was—and trusted him enough to have a baby with him. Perhaps if we had fought a lot this wouldn’t have been such a shock. But when you discover that the person who has been telling you he loves you, has also been telling multiple women around the world he’s single with details of their relationships being sent to you from these women, (which I continue to receive) is pretty horrifying. The deceit and cruelty that someone is capable of is what scares me.

What are you most nervous about becoming a mom?

Before all of this, I was nervous about things that now seem inconsequential. I was ruminating over thoughts like, ’how am I going to manage my business with a new baby’, and ‘how do I maintain my sense of self’, and ‘stretch marks(!!)’. Things that I have every right to be worried about, but now in light of everything, seem frivolous. Instead, what keeps me up at night are things like, ‘what do I tell my son?’, and ‘how do I prevent him from being damaged by this?’, and ‘how do I make sure he has male role models who have respect for women, who can show him what honesty and integrity look like?’. It’s VERY real shit that worries me now. Those initial concerns have completely subsided and I’m acutely focused on how to raise my son so he knows that he’s loved.

What are you most excited about becoming a mom?

I’m so excited about this kid! Even though my life has been turned upside down, I recognize my privilege of having family and community to support me through this. I’m literally living in my little brothers room right now, out of a single suitcase that I brought back from New York, but I know that I’m loved by the people who matter most. My ex hasn’t contacted me in over a month, but in place of that, I have emails from women who I don’t even know offering me kind words. My son has become everything. He’s my life and light at the end of all of this. Beneath all the darkness & bullshit, there’s this really powerful love that no amount of pain can touch.

Any advice to other women who are experiencing a traumatic situation during pregnancy?

Find a good therapist! That’s been really important for me. To be honest, I’m not sure if I’m the best to be giving advice as I’m just starting to function again—things like eating food and sleeping are at the top of my list—but I also have to release the pain, embrace the grieving and be ok with that. I have good days and I have bad days, but I think keeping the pain inside is a lot more damaging than actually letting it out. For me, being open about the trauma allows me to acknowledge and accept this new reality. You feel a bit crazy, like—how is this my life? You also start to feel like an idiot looking at the signs in hindsight—for instance, I ‘wasn’t allowed’ to put any photos of us as a couple on my Instagram for years, not even pictures of his work when I was proud of him (he’s an artist). I ‘wasn’t allowed’ to tag him in the photo I used to announce my pregnancy. At the time he told me it was because he wanted to keep his private life private—but now I see it was something that enabled his single facade. When I think about that I feel so foolish—but for women going through something similar, I want to say: This is not your fault. The shame of this is not yours to carry. What has happened does not define you, it only defines the other person.

Any cravings?

Not really, no. For the first 3 months I was so sick and trying to run a business while attempting to hide the fact that I was pregnant—it was nearly impossible. I found that coffee and carbs first thing in the morning helped, so I’d drink a latte with a muffin. I would get up at 3AM every day to work because that was the only time I didn’t feel sick, then I’d head back to bed midday.

Unexpected things throughout pregnancy, that no one tells you?

The solidarity of women. A new sisterhood arises when you’re pregnant—this feeling like ‘we’re in this together’. It has reinforced what I built my business and my life around.

Do you think your job will effect the way you’re raising your kid?

Absolutely. I’d be naive to think otherwise. There are two sides to it, one that presents challenges in terms of childcare or missing out on time with your child, especially as a single mother which has emotional and logistical implications. And the other side is setting an example of independence. For me personally, my mom always worked while raising us, and that is what I will do too. Having her as an example has given me so much strength and courage.

On being back in New Zealand:

My ex and I had planned to have the baby here—we had applied for his New Zealand visa, we were planning a life here—so while obviously none of that is happening anymore, having my baby in New Zealand has not changed.

How did you start OKREAL and why?

I was originally working in advertising in New Zealand & Toronto. I met my ex in NY in 2009, and moved here soon after. After working at a branding agency for a stint, I knew I wanted more for myself. I wanted to do something that married my experience in the creative and business world, and build something that I thought was missing. It was late 2014, and at the time, there weren’t a whole lot of women-focused communities that were hosting events, or online platforms that spoke to me in a way that felt relevant and down to earth. So I set out to create a curation of wisdom shared by strong, smart women, and OKREAL grew from there. We started as a digital platform, and now in addition to online content, we host panels, weekly mentor circles, and do one on one coaching.

Thoughts on The Wing?

Beyond wonderful. I have so much respect for what they’re doing—from the whole team to the members, it’s all been exceptional. They’ve created this space & cultivated an environment for women like me or businesses like mine to really flourish in.

On OKREAL and supporting women?

I had no idea that my career would be so focused on women. When I got to NY in 2009, this whole modern feminism movement wasn’t so prevalent. Growing up in New Zealand, I had all of these amazing examples of women around me—from strong female bosses, to my mother who is super-hero—all truly incredible examples of female strength. I never attributed it to “feminism” per se, or gave it a label and rather thought, ‘this is what women are like, and this is the kind of woman I want to be.’ Even when I started OKREAL, it wasn’t this “woman thing”. Then this brilliant new wave of feminism rolled in and I rode with it. It’s now a huge part of our brand culture, and OKREAL’s focus on women has definitely become more deliberate.

Any advice about career, life, being a woman or becoming a mother?

The amount of strength you have, if you really need it, will shock you. Know that it is there.

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Haute Mama Jenny Mollen Biggs

Jenny, is nothing short of entertaining. Watch any one of her Instagram Stories and you’ll immediately get a sense for how fun and authentic the actress turned two-time NY Times Best Selling comedic author, wife of Jason Biggs, and all around rad person, really is. And, if you don’t have time for all of that (because you’re busy, we get it) let me just explain; After meeting Jenny at a dinner party a few years ago—then subsequently stalking her via SMS text message until she gave in and agreed to be my friend—she sent me her book Live Fast Die Hot, of which I read in two days literally laughing out loud and forever sealing our friendship fate.

Therefore, when this mama of one (soon to be two) was down to let me come over to snoop around, er shoot/interview her, I jumped! After negotiating our schedules, we landed on a Sunday afternoon, days before she was moving apartments—a fate wished on no one, much less mid pregnancy. Thus, not surprising when she off-handily mentioned that if her pregnancy were to be a song it would be Welcome To The Jungle—mostly for the purpose of a metaphor and a laugh but also because that’s exactly what it’s been. @jennymollen

How are you feeling?

Well, I have a cold and an eye twitch plus we’re in the middle of a move, so you tell me. I think my body has just about had it with this pregnancy!

Current state of mind?

Unhinged. HA!

Craziest thing to happen to you during this pregnancy?

You won’t believe it but I was on set—the game show that Jason and I were filming called ‘My Partner Knows’ coming out on Lifetime later this year—and I got run over by a golf cart at 3am! Literally run over. Production was shut down and the cart was on top of my body. It was so gnarly! Everyone thought I was dead or at the very least had miscarried. My body went into shock, I was instantly cold, my teeth were chattering and I had no idea if my leg was broken—it was insane. Then the paramedics came and had to cut off my pants like in the movies! The dumbest part of the whole thing was that the driver was blindfolded as part of a challenge they were filming wherein the driver can’t see and the passenger directs him where to go—he drove straight into the host and onto me. Clearly, they didn’t win the challenge.

At the end of the day I was fine. I refused to go with the paramedics to the hospital, because I figured at that point whatever was going to happen was going to happen. I was only 16 weeks pregnant so it seemed like there wasn’t much they could do for me if something did go wrong. We just had to ride it out. I wasn’t scared about losing the baby because I didn’t really care if I did at that point (can I say that?). But in the end it all worked out, obviously (see belly).

Cravings?

In my mind I want a giant joint, but that’s only in my mind because if I actually did that I’d be so paranoid, likely have a panic attack and die—it would be a terrible. Needless to say, I’m not entertaining that craving. Other than that I’ve indulged in everything else including raw fish, oysters and soft cheeses. Seeing as there’s literally nothing I’ve avoided, it makes sense that the the only thing I want is illegal. I did this with Sid (my first son) too. You know, in LA they almost encourage you to eat this way, it’s weird. It’s only back east that I feel people look at me strange at a restaurant when I’m like, “I’ll have a dozen sashimi”.

First vice you’re gonna hit up post the baby?

A stiff drink. I’m not a huge drinker but a spicy tequila or a mezcal situation would hit the spot.

Sex while pregnant?

I mean, yes but no but yes. Truth is, sex before children is just easier. Therefore, this go around add a toddler into the mix that sleeps most nights in our bed and you take what you can get.

The silver lining is that having an orgasm while pregnant is so much easier because there’s 70% more blood in your body. So physically it’s great but having a toddler makes it nearly impossible, therefore they kind of cancel each other out.

Does your man love your boobs?

Yes. He’s into pregnant ladies—think he’s always been. It’s a bit weird. Me however, I’m just thinking about the lift I’m going to get afterwards because currently my boobs are perched on my stomach and I have a feeling that once this belly goes they might just drop to the floor or fall off seeing as they’re solely being supported by my stomach.

Number one wellness secret throughout pregnancy?

I’m the worse at taking the vitamins—yeah, didn’t do well with that. But, I think walking has been key. I spent the end of my last pregnancy in LA and got crazy sciatica and was in a lot of physical pain and this time I’m astonished that I can still pick up my son. I think because I’m walking so much, haven’t completely turned into a human pillow. Being in NY makes this so easy. If I was in any other city I wouldn’t be clocking miles, whereas here it’s just part of the lifestyle.

I’m also rubbing a tub of Shea butter and Mother’s Special Blend from Whole Foods on my belly everyday. I have an unfounded fear that the old hole from my mid-90’s belly button piercing will stretch out to such a point that my stomach will splay right up the center, that and I’m terrified of getting stretch marks. Applying the oil everyday calms my neuroses.

Spin or Yoga?

Nothing—I feel like tossing a 3.5 y/o around is enough weightlifting for me.

What is your Motto?

Live fast die hot.

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Mom Crush

Lauren Berlingeri, Co-Founder Of HigherDOSE, On The Shock Of Twins, Plus Babies, Business, & Belly Belts

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With twins on the way, the multi-hyphenated co-founder of fave infrared sauna therapy, HigherDOSE, is ironically chill considering she’s in the business of heat and about to become the mom of two!

From her new Williamsburg location, (promising all things wellness) to her fave coffee shop, Lauren talks about the power of acupuncture, tissue salts, and her belly belt — basically the only way she can walk these days. Plus, the shock of learning she’s having twins while overcoming the guilt of wanting a baby and a business.

Current state of mind?

I’m feeling great now that I have this new belly belt and can walk again.

What was your experience getting pregnant?

I spent an entire year simply saying out loud that I wanted to have a baby or that I was even ready to have a baby before we tried to have one. I had a weird denial around it because of my business and being an entrepreneur. HigherDOSE was my first baby and at the time, we were only about three years into the business. Being so career-focused, I had guilt and worry about how I was going to go into investor meetings pregnant. Finally, I came around to feeling it was time and began the process of detoxing my body, doing energy work, and healing before getting pregnant!

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How did you feel when you found out you were having twins?

Logistics aside, overall we feel blessed and very excited! However, at first, I cried! I couldn’t believe I was having one baby let alone two! My mom and sister had always said I was going to be the one to have the twins, (my mom is also twin, so it runs in our family), but I never thought it would actually happen. Once I recovered from the initial shock, my main focus has been trying to figure out how I will manage with two.

How are you planning differently for twins?

Initially, I’m going to need a lot of help. Fortunately, my mom is coming for the first month, and my husband is taking three months off work as his as his company offers paternity leave. Overall, I feel very well supported.

Also, delivery with twins is different than with a single baby. They treat me as high risk, which means I will be delivering in a hospital. For me to give birth naturally, I have to be 100 percent healthy. Right now both babies are head down, doing well and not in stress — apparently often with twins that’s not the case.

What are you most nervous about?

I’m nervous I won’t have the natural birth I want. And, that I won’t be able to do delayed cord clamping or immediate skin to skin contact because they’ll be premature or in stress.

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What are you most excited about?

Meeting the two of them for the first time. I always wanted to have kids, but it’s wild to think that I’m so close to meeting the loves of my life.

What have you eaten or not eat throughout pregnancy?

During my first trimester, I only wanted greasy, unhealthy food, which made me feel guilty because I had this vision of being a super healthy pregnant person but the sickness was just too much. Sadly the only thing that would “somewhat” help was deep-fried, greasy food. I couldn’t even look at anything green or healthy.

Once I got through the challenges of the first trimester, I tried to avoid bad quality meat, cheese, and processed food. Plus, I made an effort to eat fish eggs, wild sockeye salmon, tons of fruit, veggies, and a little pasta.

What are your wellness hacks?

Dr. Rhona Patrick: Salmon Roe from Vital Choice and wild Alaskan sockeye.

Homeopath Maria Adam of Bio Vitality and tissue salts.

Acupuncture (pre-pregnancy and during): Jamie Friedman, JMF acupuncture. @acupuncturechick

Pre Pregnancy: I worked with a Gene Specialist and Naturopath to uncover our genetic make-up. We took samples of mine and compared them to my husband’s followed by further testing based on our gene results. Plus, we did a “heavy metals” test, hormone panel, glyphosate test, full nutritional panel, and organic acids test.

Mama Natural is a great book.

Lastly, Magnesium! Transdermal Magnesium Body Lotion has helped me sleep at night, especially this past month of pregnancy. In addition, I’ve just started going into the float tank during my last month of pregnancy; the Epsom salts are incredible for muscle relaxation, plus it helps me go to the bathroom regularly and sleep.

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Any weird cravings or aversions?

Watermelon all day every single day and sausage! I can’t get enough of both!

If your pregnancy were a song, what would it be?

Omg, I’m awful with music! Some song about surrendering.

Fitness routine before and during pregnancy?

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Pre-babies I had a routine of SLT, barre class, hikes, and lifting weights! All of which I continued with six months into the pregnancy. However, during my seventh month, I had to slow it down to barre class and hiking. Now that I’m eight months, I can hardly walk without being in pain, so I’ve dropped the workouts all together for meditation and sleep. Twins are challenging to carry, especially being my first, as my abs feel as though they’re ripping apart.

Honestly, the hardest part has been bending over to put my shoes on. Whether I can get my shoes on or off quickly has become the deciding factor for what I wear these days. Women don’t think about the shoe thing beforehand, but not being able to bend over and put shoes on is a big deal!

How has it been to run your business while pregnant?

I love what I do, so being pregnant hasn’t stopped me. If anything, it’s made me more focused. I feel like being a mom is going to make me a superhero.

Do you have a birth plan?

Yes, as natural as possible unless the babies are in stress. Along with that, I feel very passionate about skin to skin, delayed cord clamping, and breastfeeding.

How are you planning to take maternity leave as an entrepreneur?

I’m taking three full months off so I can focus 100 percent on my babies and getting them/us into a routine. After which, I will go back to work. Right now the plan is to work three days a week in the city (we live upstate NY) full of meetings and the rest of the time work from home.

Lastly, what are you planning for your 4th trimester?

I have a fantastic homeopath who has me on all of these remedies for shock, lack of sleep, building my immune system, staying calm, and relaxed flow with breastfeeding. I also have my mom with me for the first month (total blessing) and I plan to go easy on myself, and lay in bed skin to skin with my babies!

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Mom Crush

Allison Evans On Healing Fertility Issues Through Food, Creating A Non-Toxic Home, Plus Liver Smoothies (!)

On a recent trip to NYC, I was fortunate enough to catch a moment with the bright and vibrant co-founder of Branch Basics, a non-toxic all-purpose cleaning line. We spent the afternoon at #17Bleecker chatting about how her wellness journey literally changed her life, why she swears by liver smoothies (pregnant or not), and the importance of creating a healthy home. @branchbasics

Current state of mind at 24 weeks?

I just passed a full-length mirror for the first time in weeks and saw HOW BIG my belly is and it suddenly became very real!

How did focusing on eating well and clean products change your life?

About 10+ years ago a series of events led me to overhaul my lifestyle. At the time, I was eating terribly and counting calories. Therefore, while I looked great, I was dying on the inside. After a significant life shift — that ultimately to launching Branch Basics — I’m a REAL food junkie. I eat whole foods, with no limits, and I never count carbs or calories.

It all began in sixth grade when I got my first period and then never had one again. By high school, I was told to go on birth control to regulate my period before being diagnosed with PCOS. I had thousands of cysts all over my ovaries and was told it was unlikely I’d ever get pregnant naturally. All through my diagnosis and “treatments”, my diet was never discussed or considered a factor of my condition. However, as I said, the way I ate was awful, even though I thought I was fairly healthy— lived on Splenda in my coffee and tons of boxed cereal. Fast forward a few years to college and my condition worsened — I was plagued with chronic pain from my neck to my back and could barely go to class. The doctors diagnosed me with MS, I lived with ice packs and felt like my body was failing me. That’s when my aunt stepped in and forced me to examine the way I was living and focus on what I was putting in, on, and around my body.

I, of course, had a ton of doubt about how something as trivial as what I ate or the lotion I used would have any effect on my debilitating condition — after all, I’d been to the best doctors over the past year and none of them had mentioned any of this. However, at that point I was on hydrocodone, muscle relaxers, pain killers, sleeping pills, and antidepressants — I was a mess and was willing to listen. She got me to toss all of my toxic cleaning products, start reading food labels, and cook fresh food for myself. Within 2-3 months of living a hardcore clean lifestyle, I was off my meds with virtually no pain. As a result, I continued to be diligent about living this way. Eventually, I went back to my fertility doctor for a sonogram, and the cysts, aside from three, were gone. Then the most exciting thing happened, I got my period back in 2014! It was almost better than my wedding day and I started crying from excitement! The doctor had never seen anything like it.

After about a year or so, my cycle normalized and I got pregnant naturally in 2016 with my first and now the same with my second! Today I am a believer that clean living is a lifestyle, not a sacrifice.

How did you come to launch Branch Basics?

The summer that I graduated, my college roommate — who had witnessed all of the drugs, pain, and doctors, plus my health transformation — suggested that we move to my aunt’s home in the hill country outside of Austin and learn everything we could from her. For 2 months we learned what it meant to eat whole food, connect with nature, and the benefits of drinking kale juice — long before kale juice was a thing. It was a pivotal summer in my health journey and dramatically changed both of our lives. At the end of the eight weeks, we became passionate about helping other people create healthy lives and launched the first iteration of our company in 2009. We started a website selling air purifiers, organic mattresses, and infrared saunas, but none of it was selling. That’s when we zoned in on cleaning as it’s a low-lift first step for most people, and it allows you to quickly and inexpensively remove some of the most toxic things in your home. For us, it’s the trojan horse, but our content, messaging, and brand focus on the whole lifestyle.

What have you been craving this pregnancy?

Carbs! However, for me, that means oatmeal and avocado toast. I’m a VERY healthy eater, so my splurge is a big bowl of Ezekiel fruit juice sweetened cereal — or something to that effect — with almond milk that I make fresh at home and always have on hand.

What are you eating on the daily?

I start the day with oatmeal or eggs — we must go through dozens of eggs a week! For lunch, I typically eat a huge salad, with avocado, hard-boiled eggs, seeds, tons of oils and good fats. Dinner is usually fish or a grain bowl with lots of veggies. Also, I’ll snack throughout the day on bars or something homemade. Plus, I’m a sucker for — and this is entirely embarrassing — cold organic hot dogs straight from the fridge! For dessert, my go-to is yogurt with granola and honey.

Are you avoiding the typical pregnancy “Do Not Eat List”?

I don’t eat refined sugar and haven’t in 10 years. I’ll do maple syrup, coconut sugar, or honey. However as far as the conventional “do NOT eat least while pregnant” I don’t mind any of that. I recently had a ton of oysters in Nantucket, I eat sushi if I know it’s clean, or deli meat if it’s cut right in front of me. My philosophy is if it’s clean, fresh, and from a wild or grass-fed source, I’ll eat it. In fact, I eat raw liver three times a week as it’s the only thing that gets my hemoglobin and iron levels up — I could talk till I’m blue in the face about the benefits!

Has anything funny happened during this pregnancy?

My belly button has majorly popped — it’s like my third boob!

Sex while pregnant?

It comes in waves. I feel bad for my husband as it’s one of those things that keeps getting pushed off, but also one of those things that I know won’t happen for a while as the pregnancy progresses. I’m trying my best 🙂

Do you take time for self-care?

I’m battling with guilt this pregnancy as it’s all about my toddler and work these days, so I haven’t taken a ton of time for myself. I recently had a sit-down with my husband and told him he needs to lean in a little more with our little girl so that I can focus on me.

Getting pregnant while breastfeeding?

I didn’t know it was a thing either! Initially, I thought you couldn’t get pregnant while breastfeeding, but came to find out that’s not true. Ha!

How do you plan to take maternity leave?

When you own your own company, you never really leave. However, both my business partner and I are very hands-on moms. She’s still nursing her 20-month old and I just stopped nursing last week! We work during naps and after they go down. I keep praying that I have an abundant milk supply and a baby that loves to sleep!

Any advice…

Our bodies are capable of so much more than we give them credit for and we’re not the victims of our genes — even with dire diagnosis. If we can be mindful of the things we do to our bodies, put in them, and think about them — that means clean thoughts and clean products — it’s impressive how the body will respond. Creating a healthy home is vital as our bodies rest and rejuvenate at night. Often if our homes are toxic, the body can’t purify and starts to shut down — hence the importance of detoxing your house first. I always say, don’t worry about the things you can’t control at your office or in the park, worry first about where you lay your head at night.

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Mom Crush

Political Strategist Emily Tisch Sussman On Pumping, Podcasting, & Paternity Leave

Political strategist, on-air spokesperson, and host of Your Primary Playlist podcast, Emily is captivating and candid — not to mention as smart as they come. On the brink of having her 3rd baby during the Democratic debates, she shares how her career has shifted throughout two administrations and motherhood, that time she changed her baby’s diaper in the West Wing while visiting the Oval Office, and tips to looking professional & polished while pregnant. Plus, why our country is in dire need of maternity (and paternity) leave reform.

How are you feeling?

I’m at the very end, and all things considered, I feel great. However, yesterday I had a labor scare when my mucus plug fell out, and I felt contractions, but still no baby!

Have your pregnancies felt similar or different?

They’ve been similar in many ways and less in others. I was pretty sick throughout all three — constant nausea for the first four months, coupled with extreme fatigue (think narcoleptic). For the most part, across the board, I was better by the 2nd and 3rd trimester. The main difference between the first two and this one was that I gained a lot of weight — nearly 80 pounds. For this go-around, I ate healthier and worked out during the first trimester. I have a Peloton at home, which made fitness manageable, plus, I have two young kids that I’m always running after. Right now, my belly doesn’t fit on the bike, but I plan to get right back on it post-birth.

Two kids and a third on the way, oh my! Did you breastfeed your first two?

I have a three year old and a two year old. Basically I had just stopped breastfeeding the first when I got pregnant with the second.

After I had my second, I had a lot of health problems, including yeast mastitis, which made it too painful for me to breastfeed, so I pumped. By the time it cleared up around 12 or 13 weeks, she didn’t remember how to breastfeed, so I took it as a sign and called it a day. The fact that we made it to 12 weeks on breastmilk, with all things considered, was a success in my book! As for the new baby, I plan to take it as it comes.

For the last two, we imported formula from Europe because it’s sugar-free, refrigerated, and highly-regulated. Knowing this makes all the difference in the world. I plan to do the same for the new baby as well.

Did you work while pregnant and after?

I worked throughout all of my pregnancies and two administrations. My first was born at the end of the Obama administration. He visited the White House as a baby, and I took him to the West Wing. Funny enough, I changed his diaper in the gold-plated bathroom down the hall from the Oval Office — it was not normal.

For years (and two pregnancies), I worked for a think tank closely aligned to the administration called The Center For American Progress. I was the Vice President for campaigns, which meant we’d work to enact regulations or get specific legislation passed. These included activations such as a flash mod in Central Park that encouraged open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act with a Super Bowl veteran. Plus, we did a gun violence campaign with Jon Batiste, the band leader for Colbert and ran the confirmation process for the Surgeon General of the US against the NRA and won — the first time the NRA was defeated in modern history.

What does it feel like to be in politics while pregnant?

Surprisingly it’s not entirely a male vs. female issue, but rather the culture of politics the demands that you work 24 hours a day, seven days a week. As a new mom, this pace and rhythm were unsustainable; therefore, I shifted my career into TV commentary and hosting my podcast, Your Primary Playlist.

What was it like to shift your career to adjust for motherhood?

During my second maternity leave, I thought a lot about how hard it was with one baby, and couldn’t wrap my head around what it would be like with two. I already felt spread thin and needed to figure out a better option to accommodate for my new role as a mom of two. It got to a point where I couldn’t show up for my job the way I wanted, nor did I want to be absent from my kids’ lives.

Did you take maternity leave?

The think tank — where I worked during my first two pregnancies — was very supportive of maternity and paternity leave. I took the leave but didn’t entirely sit out since, at the time, we were approaching the potential election of Donald Trump. I pushed myself to stay hyper-engaged and took more TV opportunities as a Democratic strategist during my maternity leave. I would bring my baby with me to the network, do my hair & makeup, then breastfeed in the green room right before I went on air so I wouldn’t leak on TV!

This past week, during my podcast interview with Hillary Clinton, I told her about a time I had to pump during the first Presidential debate at Hofstra University between her and Trump. I was doing commentary and asked everybody, from the network to the Trump campaign, if I could pump in their section. Everyone turned me away except Hillary’s campaign — they gave me a place to pump.

What do you think of the state of maternity leave in this country?

It’s abysmal! The fact that we don’t have standard maternity (and paternity) leave is inhumane. There’s no economic upside to forcing women back to work when they have a week old child. And there’s certainly nothing of value from a productivity perspective to come from a new mom when they’re sleeping 45 minutes a night.

Recently, my sister went into early labor and was in the NICU. The mother next to her was an NYC bus driver who also went into early labor. Since she had her baby before planned, the government didn’t grant her maternity leave as her substitute driver was unavailable. Therefore, every day she would leave her baby at the hospital while bleeding, drive the bus all day and go back to the hospital at night to be with her baby in the NICU. It’s unthinkable.

We can’t keep acting like it’s optional for women to take time for recovery post-birth.

What can we do to change this issue?

Ultimately it comes down to the way we view women as side constituents versus main drivers of the economy. At this point, we’re the majority of the working population and household breadwinners, yet we’re severely underrepresented in law-making — this is why I’m so passionate about getting women elected and into office.

On my podcast, I only interview female experts, not because it’s a podcast for women, but because we have to move the conversation forward and change the perception of women in power by accepting them as experts. I purposely don’t ask my guests personal questions because it’s irrelevant to their perspective on law or their expertise.

Emily in our Classic White and Relaxed Trouser

Any tips on dressing professionally for TV while pregnant?

I’m someone that likes to dress for the job. When I was in law school, everybody would take their exams in their pajamas, and I instead would wear a full suit. Like a warrior getting armed for battle, I needed to feel like a lawyer to take the law exam.

That said, it’s important for me to feel like an expert on TV doing live interviews. It’s always been challenging to figure out things that look professional yet still feel like myself, then add pregnancy to the mix, and it’s nearly impossible. I have (and this is not a plug) a couple of HATCH pieces that look good on camera and give me like a little personality, which makes me feel confident. There are no do-overs on live TV, so confidence is everything. Plus, I always add a little flair to every look.

Advice on having babies and a career?

Know that it won’t be the same, but it will create new possibilities. I would have never left my job if I didn’t feel that I had to and ultimately that move has provided me with so many more opportunities. With the work I am doing now, I’m contributing to the conversation in a way that I was not previously. I still question what the future of my career looks like, but I have to trust and have faith.

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Mom Crush

Founder Of Moon Juice Amanda Chantal Bacon On Mastering Fertility.

There are few words powerful enough to describe the founder of Moon Juice, Amanda Chantal Bacon’s energy. Bright and magnetic being in her presence is like entering a higher dimension, another vortex if you will. Radiating good vibes, now pregnant with her second (eight years after her first) and married to the love of her life, Gregory Rovan of ROGOV, she shares the intimate details of conceiving and their hysterical plan for a home-birth (rental tub et al.)! Plus, communicating with the baby, fertility, and sex (lots & lots of it). @moonjuice @amandachantalbacon

With eight years between babies, were you concerned about fertility?

Yes, my concerns began when I tried to change a baby’s diaper last summer and couldn’t do it! The diaper was on backward, plus I had no flow with the baby as she was squirming and crying. I realized how out of practice I was and up until that moment I’d prided myself on being a working single mom with a baby that could change a diaper while driving and writing emails! Plus, being so far out of the weeds with a nearly eight-year-old I felt like my body was my own again. I’d become very attached to my selfish girly rituals, tight abs, eight hours of sleep, and my new mid-thirties skincare routine. All of which has slid away with pregnancy. But mainly, I was very scared about infertility as I deal with it every day at work in helping people find their way through herbs and adaptogens. Being over 35, I was naturally concerned but I like to think that if you’re healthy and vital, age is biological, not chronological. Based on my blood panels, I am younger, more vital and fertile than I was a few years ago. But, you never know until you start. Therefore I was very grateful when we got pregnant naturally after only a few months of trying. It felt like a small miracle.

How did you “prep your bod” for pregnancy?

Typically there’s a strong emphasis on the woman and her egg quality but sperm health has just as much to do with getting pregnant as egg health. Therefore I don’t understand why women generally go off and do this alone. Before “trying” to get pregnant, I took prenatal vitamins, plus both my husband and I got all of our blood panels done, went on antioxidants & supplements, started acupuncture, went to a healer to clear our energetic bodies, and drank Chinese herbal teas for a year leading up to conceiving. Plus, every morning we took my temperature to chart my levels, and of course, had tons of sex. It was super fun! While most people are prepping their “wedding bods,” leading up to their wedding day, I was prepping my “pregnancy bod!” We started actually “trying” to get pregnant on our wedding night and about 4-5 months later we got pregnant. For us, we were very connected in the prep and thus have been throughout the pregnancy as well.

Have your two pregnancies been different or similar?

This time around I am more equipped to be a wonderful mother. To begin, I’m in a safe and supported place with my husband which I didn’t have with my first pregnancy. When I was pregnant with Rohan, everything was different. I was different. I was in an unhealthy relationship, alone and disconnected from his father. In many ways, becoming a single mom forced me into womanhood. I look back on that, and even though I was in my twenties I was emotionally young and in some ways, it felt like a teen pregnancy compared to the way I feel now. It’s a joke but also not a joke.

Any cravings throughout your trimesters?

During my first trimester I was so nauseous it was crippling, which was weird because I didn’t tell anybody that I was pregnant. I was so sick and unfriendly at work that it started to read as rude when I stopped making eye-contact with everyone. But, as far as what I was eating, I needed animal fats every day, ALLLLL day. I couldn’t get enough yogurt, plus I was eating about 3/4 of a stick of raw butter on the daily, with about five pieces of toast — basically, the bread was a vehicle to get the butter down!

Second trimester, was incredible. I felt great with tons of energy as though I was in a perma-eyes-wide-open meditation. Even when I meditated, I would lightly close my eyes and be way out there! That was super fun. Plus, my eating returned to normal, better than normal in fact. I wanted salads, green juice, and protein-rich foods, plus I had an aversion to sweets — which is so unlike me. I became the person that I always wanted to be; all the goals were happening, the boobs, the meditation, no sweet tooth, and patience. I was the dream version of myself.

And now, the third trimester, well, you know, it’s starting to get a little weird! After that second trimester, I thought it would be smooth sailing into my orgasmic birth…but no, shit is getting weird. I can’t stop eating, and the sweet tooth is back. I knew as much when my husband and I drove out to Ojai to go to a particular health food store that makes vegan, gluten-free buttermilk chocolate donuts with rainbow sprinkles! We could have saved the 4-hour drive and gotten a regular donut in LA, but no. I tried to tell myself that we were going to Ojai for the nature and hot springs, but really, it was that donut. I think my husband knew we were there for the donut when I got three and told him we could skip the hike. Perhaps this is the part where the cravings come in. Cute.

Products Amanda Loves:

The New Now

Virtual Support: COVID Resources Curated By HATCH.

We know that pregnancy can be confusing and unsettling under normal circumstances, let alone now during all this uncertainty with COVID-19. With that in mind, we wanted to build out a resource page for all of you—a sort of all-access guide to the experts and services you need for whatever stage of pregnancy you’re in: whether it be before, during or after. Community is more important than ever now—we’re here to support and guide you through it all.

Not seeing a resource you’re looking for? Have a question about COVID-19? Email us at community@hatchcollection.com and we’ll try our best to help. We’ll also be updating this page as we locate additional resources and answer more of your questions.

THINKING ABOUT PREGNANCY?

Kindbody offers virtual fertility consultations and support groups.

LOOM provides modern education to empower everyone from periods to parenting. Check out their COVID-19 Sexual & Reproductive Health Resources.

NEWLY PREGNANT

Dr Aviva Romm is offering support classes through pregnancy (as well as birth and postpartum) daily via Zoom accessible through her Facebook group here.

Maven, the largest telemedicine provider for women + family health, is offering a series of free doctor-backed resources during this confusing time. Use code HATCH50 to access free tele-health appointments with our network of doctors ($50 value).

Carriage House Birth is offering pregnancy, infant feeding and postpartum support groups as well as virtual classes such as childbirth education and newborn care.

JUST BUMPIN’?

Interested in finding more about virtual pregnancy or postpartum Doulas? Reach out to Carriage House Birth or Birth Day Presence to find out more.

Mama Glow offers various gatherings to support women through pregnancy and birth.

Keep moving! Some great digital fitness apps that have targeted pregnancy exercises like Fit Pregnancy Club, Melissa Wood Health, Every Mother, and The Sculpt Society.

A Mother’s Day Present from Expectful: a one-of-a-kind sleep story, created to celebrate you and other pregnant and new mothers around the world.

ABOUT TO GIVE BIRTH?

Robyn is offering downloaded videos of ChildBirth Education Class (3 hours) + Feeding Your Baby 101 Class (1.5 hours)

Boober offers virtual support and 1-on-1 tele-health sessions for Lactation Support, Labor Support, Postpartum Care, and Mental Health Support. Check here for additional COVID-19 videos as it relates to pregnancy and lactation.

Mother.ly is offering their Becoming Mama Birth Class Free here.

Los Angeles based doula Carson Meyer is sharing relatable birth stories with mothers via IG Live @ccmeyer.

SupportingHer is offering online classes to prepare partners for their role. Here is a free cheat sheet for dads and partners.

POSTPARTUM HELP?

Jennie Monness, co-founder of Union Square Play, is offering new mom support groups (free but donate if you can).

Motherhood Center provides tele-mental health appointments, webinars and virtual support groups.

Nest Collaborative, offers digital lactation support to mamas pre-baby and during the early stages of motherhood to navigate their breastfeeding needs/concerns all from the comfort of their home via tele-health.

PAST HATCH EVENTS

4/23: COVID Conversation: Pregnancy, Postpartum + Parenting
with Ariane Goldman, Jennie Monness (Mo’Mommies), Dr. Aviva Romm (midwife + herbalist), and Lucy Cuneo (photographer) moderated by Diana Spalding (Mother.ly)

4/28: Birthing During COVID
with Shieva Ghofrany

4/28: Taking Time to Replenish with Reiki
with Kelsey Patel

4/28: Lactation Webinar
with Jada Shapiro

4/30 Getting the Support We Need
with Alice from SupportingHer

The New Now

A COVID Conversation: via ZOOM On Pregnancy, Birth, And Postpartum During CV-19.

As we adjust to the landscape of our new normal there are so many questions to be had, especially when it comes to pregnancy. In hopes of bringing some relief and answers to the pressing questions on our minds, we hosted an intimate digital gathering in partnership with Cyndi Ramirez of Chillhouse, Ashleigh Stone of Poolside, and Sarah Levy of Y7. The talk, led by Jada Shapiro, founder of boober and Birth Day Presence, in conversation with Dr. Jacqueline Worth, OBGYN and co-author of The New Rules of Pregnancy, and 13 awesome pregnant women from our community was intended to bring people together to ask questions, voice their concerns and give access to experts.

In an effort to mitigate worry and provide support plus guidance through this incredibly fast-evolving unprecedented situation, we rounded up the most helpful tips from this moving discussion with Dr. Jacqueline Worth, OBGYN.

AT RISK

In general are pregnant people more susceptible to the coronavirus?

Dr. Worth: Great news, there is no evidence that pregnant women are any more susceptible to coronavirus than anyone else. However, in the British College of OB-GYN, they put pregnant women in the vulnerable category out of extreme caution as it’s known that some pregnant women are more susceptible to viral infections. Therefore we’re going to treat them as if they’re vulnerable, but there’s absolutely no evidence that I’ve seen, or know of at this time that has determined that pregnant women are in fact more susceptible. Additionally, there’s no evidence that it passes in any way to the baby through vertical transmission or the placenta blood.

PRENATAL APPOINTMENTS

Should appointments be held in-person or via telemedicine? What do you suggest?

Dr Worth: Essentially, we’ve set up an alternating visit model individualized for each patient. In addition to social distancing, I suggest to all my patients that we follow exactly what Governor Cuomo explains in his press conferences in terms of prenatal care visits.

In my practice, we’ve taken several precautions in the office such as separating the chairs and spacing out appointments. Plus, we’re suggesting (if possible) for patients to come in a family car to avoid public transportation.

In terms of telemedicine. It’s a work in progress and an entirely different thing. The appointments are not as efficient since I don’t have my hands on the belly and I’m not able to listen to the baby’s heartbeat. That said, I know my patients incredibly well and have a curriculum we review at each visit from fetal testing to upcoming lab work and answer any questions related to the pandemic.

What tools can women have at home to assist with a telemedicine visit?

Dr. Worth: Typically a prenatal visit would include checking the baby’s heartbeat, plus the mom’s blood pressure, protein & glucose levels, temperature, and weight. That said, most of those things can be done at home. I’m asking my patients to get a blood pressure cuff, scale, thermometer, and dipsticks on Amazon so they can take their own vitals. In the absence of being able to check the fetal heart rate, I inquire about the most recent sonogram plus we talk about fetal movement.

Should women get a doppler at home?

Dr. Worth: If you have a doppler and are comfortable using it, this can be a great tool. However, my experience with the doppler is tricky and I worry someone might not find the heartbeat, then be distraught and unable to get a quick answer to confirm everything is okay. I would suggest bringing your doppler to your doctor’s office and practice using it with your doctor or midwife before going at it alone. I’m ordering a few to have on hand at my office to teach patients for this reason.

LABOR

There was a ruling related to partners at the hospitals during birth which has been reversed but in the event of a partner not being present for the birth how would you best deal with this?

Dr. Worth: This is a huge issue weighing heavily on everyone’s mind. I’ll start by saying, it’s almost unimaginable to be asked to birth, without anybody there to support you. Which is symbolic of how serious this pandemic is and how many people are dying or at risk. While the original order to disallow partners from the hospital has been lifted if for some reason a partner is not able to be present for the birth they can FaceTime into it. We have also had doulas on laptops that have stayed up all night with the mother. Though unusual, it was incredibly supportive and helped the patient have a lovely birth.

What are the best options for birth at this time: C-section, labor at home or induction?

Dr. Worth: There are three ways to come to the hospital: Active labor, a scheduled C-section or labor induction.

The difference between labor induction and spontaneous labor is that induction labor generally means a patient will spend more time laboring — about 20 hours on average. Whereas spontaneous active labor is about 6 hours of laboring which decreases your exposure to the hospital. Additionally, labor that starts with medicine is typically more difficult as the mother is attached to a lot of machines. If you’re a patient who wants a more natural approach to birth, it’s particularly challenging to start your labor this way, lying in bed.

In China, during the epidemic, there were many more C Sections performed. The upside to a C-section is that birth is accomplished in about 45 minutes so the patient is potentially at the hospital for less time. Please note, I’m not recommending a C-Section because of COVID.

Are you recommending that people actually labor home even much longer than you normally would?

Dr. Worth: When you’re in the hospital, you will be in a private room, safe and not exposed. I’m extremely wary in our practice when patients want to labor at home for an extended period as there’s no way to know the baby’s status or mom’s levels. I recommend patients come into our office where we put them on the fetal monitor to check vital signs and do an exam. From there we can determine how long they want to stay out of the hospital…if that’s their personal goal.

I want to make clear that I’m very hesitant to tell women to stay home and not be checked in case, God forbid, something were to go wrong. While rare, I prefer to be cautious.

What are the protocols for a pregnant woman to walk into any random hospital, if she decides to leave the city last minute?

Dr. Worth: Any pregnant patient who walks into the labor floor of a hospital will be cared for by that hospital and not be turned away.

If you feel that you may need to leave suddenly, ask your doctor or your midwife for a copy of your medical records in advance, so you have a recent sonogram and labs on hand. Upon arrivals, explain that you had to move away because you were scared and could they please help you.

That said, I would recommend having some kind of connection with the place that you go such as a friend or family. There have been reports of neighboring towns around New York City being hostile towards the refugees from New York.

If a mother tests positive or are having symptoms when they come to give birth, how are you taking care of them? Is there isolation and what happens with the baby post-birth?

Dr. Worth: Given that policies and mandates are changing daily, this would likely need to be addressed on a case by case basis. That said, fortunately, none of my pregnant patients have been COVID positive or sick.

However, should a mother in labor be sick, I would have that patient wear a mask to protect the staff and anyone else from catching the disease. Plus they would labor in an isolation room.

Post-birth, the current guidelines state to separate the baby from the mother if she is COVID positive to protect the baby’s health. Plus, they recommend the baby be provided with pumped breast milk by a healthy person to avoid having the mom cough and breathe on the baby.

ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS

What should pregnant patients do to protect themselves when going outside?

Dr. Worth: Wear a mask when you go out and separate yourself by six feet from anybody else.

Also, Governor Cuomo talked about something called Matilda’s Law which he named after his mother, and is intended for the elderly and the most vulnerable. It’s recommended for someone over 70 or immune-compromised not to leave the house or have anyone over. If you consider pregnant women as being in the vulnerable category, then I would suggest following this rule.

Lastly, if someone must come over then both the elderly or pregnant person plus the visitor should be wearing masks and be at least six feet apart. Ideally, they should keep the visit brief as well.

As for masks, are you able to reuse them? If a pregnant person can’t get a mask, is a bandana, okay?

Dr. Worth: Masks are in short supply and hard to come by. Therefore wearing a bandana or any fabric over your face is better than nothing.

IMMUNITY & VITAMINS

What can we do to stay healthy and boost our immune system?

Dr. Worth: Overall the goal is to stay rested and healthy by eating well and taking extra supplements. I’m getting lots and lots of sleep, more than ever before, and drinking tons of water to stay hydrated.

Personally, I take a little extra vitamin C, D, and Zinc every day. About 50 milligrams of Zinc or micrograms, 1000 milligrams of Vitamin C and 1000 to 2000 milligrams of Vitamin D.

My acupuncturist suggests taking elderberry syrup and manuka honey — are there any immunity building benefits to these ingredients?

Dr. Worth: Absolutely. Sounds fine to me. Although please remember that kids under age 1 can’t have raw honey.

Can too much vitamin D cause birth defects?

Dr. Worth: Testing for vitamin D goes back and forth but I test my patience for vitamin D regularly and whenever their levels are less than 20 or less than 30 I recommend supplementing with 1000 to 2000 milligrams daily which is a conservative recommendation as you don’t want to overdo things in pregnancy. Plus, taking a walk from time to time outside in a socially distant way to get some sunlight and fresh air is important.

POSTPARTUM HELP?

How do you suggest that support people such as a baby nurse or postpartum doulas come over after the birth?

Dr. Worth: I’ll start by saying these are special times and I believe this is a short term problem. But, for this immediate period, if I were a new mom with a new baby at home, I would not have anybody over. I realize it’s hard to imagine that and perhaps it’s not what you had planned, but as I told a patient yesterday who’d hired a baby nurse, you can do this alone. And, unless you can be 100% sure that your nurse has quarantined herself for at least two weeks and then doesn’t leave your home, it’s too much of a risk. Personally, I would not do it.

Additionally, I would not leave the house for a month, or six weeks. If a baby gets a fever in the first month of life, they’re at risk to get sepsis, because they are too young to have a strong immune system to fight infections. The last thing you want right now is to go into the ER and be at high risk of getting COVID.

All this to say, think about how much our lives have changed in ways that were incomprehensible a month ago and yet somehow we’re managing. As women, we’re resilient. We can do this. We are strong. You can care for your baby on your own as we navigate out of these uncertain times.

Boober is offering virtual doulas (to keep everybody safe), wherein they match people to postpartum doulas for support and virtual check-ins throughout the day. While not the same as in-person, hopefully, this can help make a mother feel less alone and offer some comfort and support.

Plus, Jada will be personally available if anyone has questions during the rest of your pregnancy and as you approach labor. Feel free to contact her directly at jada@getboober.com. Boober offers virtual support to new families by connecting them to 1-on-1 tele-health sessions for Lactation Support, Labor Support, Postpartum Care, and Mental Health Support. Right now they are offering 10% off your first Virtual Lactation Support Session with code VIRTUAL10.

We Got You

Everything You Need To Know about COVID-19 From Our Experts.

We’ve tapped into our Healthcare Advisory Board to share common questions and answers as it relates to pregnancy and birth with COVID-19.

MEET OUR BOARD

Sam Huggins, Full-Spectrum Doula + Co-founder of Carriage House Birth

Lauren Zielinski, Certified Nurse Midwife & Birthing Specialist

Kim Jones, Perinatal Mental Health Specialist & Associate Clinical Director, The Center for Postpartum Family Health

Dr. Aviva Romm, MD, midwife + herbalist

LaShanda Dandrich, Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)

GENERAL QUESTIONS

Where can I gather the most accurate information about COVID-19?

“While we encourage you to stay abreast for your safety and the safety of those around you, please consider limiting your intake of COVID related information directly. This would be a great time to call in a friend or family member who wants to help and let them filter and then break down whatever it is that is applicable to you into bite size pieces.

For the most accurate info that hasn’t been sensationalized by big headlines –

Center For Disease Control General (CDC) or the World Health Organization. Please also check your local department of health for your region’s specific content.”

– Samantha Huggins, Full-Spectrum Doula

Can Covid-19 be transmitted in Utero?

“According to studies to date, pregnant mamas do not pass COVID-19 to their babies in utero. Babies born to moms with COVID-19 have not tested positive for the virus at birth, and there has been no detectable COVID-19 in the amniotic fluid nor the umbilical cord blood of these newborns. There’s also no evidence that a mama can infect her baby during labor. However, newborns can develop COVID-19, and while few serious cases of infection have been reported worldwide, it’s important to remain aware of possible risks, stay vigilant to signs of distress or COVID-19 infection in newborns, and do our best to prevent baby’s exposure to infection where possible.”

— Dr. Aviva Romm, MD, midwife + herbalist

How can I set boundaries with friends and family about visiting while we are practicing social distancing?

“Let people know ahead of time your expectations and wishes for visitors. While most hospitals are currently limiting visitors, people may want to come visit once you are home. It’s okay to let people know that you would like to wait to have visitors. Discuss your expectations with your partner ahead of time and let your partner know if you would like them to help in letting others know what your needs and limits are postpartum.”

— Kim Jones, LPC, LMFT, Perinatal Mental Health Specialist

What are the effects of COVID-19 if contracted during pregnancy?

While having answers and facts may be what you’re looking for and put your mind and heart at ease – globally – we have very little research and scientific understanding about the effects of COVID-19 on pregnant people and unborn children. From a number of case reports taken from China it does not seem likely that if you contract COVID-19 it can be vertically transmitted (passed to baby through your body) before baby is born.

This is good news. There were a few cases of babies in China who acquired COVID-19 shortly after birth, however it is unclear if these babies became sick with coronavirus before, during or after birth. It’s important to know that the majority of babies did not become sick – just because a mom was sick. There have been 2 infant deaths reported from Coronavirus in the United States, there is very little information available about these cases. Rest assured though that overall, the rate of serious complications, the chance of a baby contracting COVID-19 and death in infants is rare from what we know so far.

— Lauren Zielinski, Certified Nurse Midwife & Birthing Specialist

Should I still be going to my prenatal visits? Is it safe?

“Despite these hard times – it is still important to attend prenatal care to ensure the health and wellbeing of your pregnancy and unborn babe. DO wear a mask to your visits. Most offices are now offering a reduced prenatal care schedule as recommended by the World Health Organization and tele-health visits (video chat visits). The reduced schedule is the bare minimum needed for healthy pregnancies and should absolutely suffice for most healthy – uncomplicated people. If you have more risk factors than normal you should ask to discuss a plan for you on a case by case basis with your midwife or OB-GYN. The typically offered reduced prenatal visit schedule typically looks like:

12 week visit
20 week visit
28 week visit
32 week visit
36 week visit
Weekly visits after 36 weeks until birth

Visits in between these in person visits may be offered as tele-health visits. If you have the resources to do so and know you will be receiving prenatal care it won’t hurt to purchase:

Automatic blood pressure cuff
Learn how to take your own pulse
Weigh yourself before every tele-health visit
A doppler to listen to baby’s heart rate (optional – these are expensive)”

— Lauren Zielinski, Certified Nurse Midwife & Birthing Specialist

“It’s definitely important to keep up with prenatal care, though for most visits if you’re otherwise healthy, telemedicine is going to be the model for most appointments. However, even if you’re low risk, a few in-person appointments will be needed for basic blood work and some physical check-ins, and if you want or require them, ultrasounds. I recommend consolidating visits to a limited number of in-person appointments, without skipping any of the essentials that help identify possible problems, while maintaining enough digital connection to help you feel truly supported and have your questions answered. For example, you can combine an early prenatal visit with your prenatal labs, and if you’re planning to have an early ultrasound, get that done at the same time. You may be able to have your prenatal labs drawn at home, including your NIPT/NIPS if you’re having that done. If you’re choosing to have an anatomy scan (which is usually done between 18 and 20 weeks gestation), you can combine this with other routine prenatal visit concerns in person. Before you go into the office for any exams, ask them what precautions the office is following for prevention, and also, if you are otherwise healthy and low risk, if you should do a telemedicine check-in and postpone your scheduled visit for a couple of weeks right now. If you are high-risk, it’s likely you’ll need to keep your appointment, but do call ahead to see how the office will be protecting your health.”

— Dr. Aviva Romm, MD, midwife + herbalist

Can I go outside?

The fact is that no one knows if pregnant people are more susceptible to COVID-19 specifically, but there is some historical evidence that may suggest otherwise. At this time, pregnant folks should follow the same rules as everyone else and stay home unless you have to. If you do go outside, wear the same protections that everyone else is using including masks, gloves, etc. You do not need N95’s to go get gas or pick up the groceries, those should be reserved for healthcare workers and people who are immunocompromised. As for walks, go for it, with a mask! And try to do it at times of day when there are less people around.

From the CDC: We do not have information from published scientific reports about susceptibility of pregnant women to COVID-19. Pregnant women experience immunologic and physiologic changes which might make them more susceptible to viral respiratory infections, including COVID-19. Pregnant women also might be at risk for severe illness, morbidity, or mortality compared to the general population as observed in cases of other related coronavirus infections [including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)* and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV)] and other viral respiratory infections, such as influenza, during pregnancy. Pregnant women should engage in usual preventive actions to avoid infection like washing hands often and avoiding people who are sick.

– Samantha Huggins, Full-Spectrum Doula

DELIVERY

How do I find out what the protocols are at my hospital for when I go to deliver my baby?

“Protocols are definitely on everyone’s mind. And it’s a good idea to start having candid conversations with your care provider in those last weeks of pregnancy about how to prepare. Ultimately, the answers are changing daily still and so we still recommend you asking your medical team or call patient services at your hospital for an update if you spontaneously go into labor or the day before if you are planning an induction or c-birth.”

– Samantha Huggins, Full-Spectrum Doula

Will my partner or doula be able to join me for the birth? How can I prepare for this change in my hopes and plans for birth?

“Check with your provider on this one, first. At this time, most hospitals and birth centers are allowing one support person to be present during the birth. Some women are choosing to use video conferencing software to communicate with other support persons during labor. ACOG provides a simple and to the point list of recommendations for partners on how to be supportive during birth. This may be a helpful cheat sheet to share with partners that were planning on leaning on the expertise of a doula or other support person. Your hospital may also provide online classes to help in preparing for birth, such as these from Texas Children’s Hospital. Taking classes can be a great way to help women and their partners to know what to expect and how to prepare for birth and postpartum.”

— Kim Jones, LPC, LMFT, Perinatal Mental Health Specialist

Is there anything special I should pack for the hospital?

“PLEASE bring your own PPE if you have it. The doctors, midwives and nurses will be forever grateful. Please also bring your own clorox wipes to wipe down the handles and surfaces in your room, plastic ziploc bags for your street clothes and shoes, and an extension cord if you plan to stay connected to your doula, friends or family via a device during your hospital stay! Assume that items like pillows and blankets that you bring you to a birth should be left behind.”

– Samantha Huggins, Full-Spectrum Doula

Should I just have a home birth?

“Well, this is NEVER a light decision even when we are not in a pandemic. If you already believed that home birth was a safe and reasonable option for giving birth, you could be a candidate as long as you, your pregnancy and your baby are healthy and you live in a safe space to give birth. Again, different communities are responding in different ways. Please reach out to your local midwives to find out if this is an option for you.”

– Samantha Huggins, Full-Spectrum Doula

Are there any public voices that I should really be listening to right now in the birth community?

“We are LOVING Aviva Romm. She has been providing such sage and powerful wisdoms throughout COVID 19 through her unique lens as an OB, former midwife and herbalist.”

– Samantha Huggins, Full-Spectrum Doula

If I become infected with COVID-19 – will I need a cesarean section?

No. There is no recommendation that birth by c-section is safer or recommended in the case of patients who test positive for COVID-19. Attempting vaginal birth for every pregnancy (without the presence of other medical complications preventing vaginal delivery) continues to be the recommended form of birth for most mothers – coronavirus times or not.

— Lauren Zielinski, Certified Nurse Midwife & Birthing Specialist

SELF-CARE

What herbs can I take to support my immune system?

“During pregnancy, I always recommend mamas take a prenatal vitamin with folic acid (400 to 800 mcg, preferably in the form of methylfolate) daily, as well as fish oil for essential fatty acids important for baby’s brain health, and I recommend continuing to do so now. While there are no herbs or supplements at this time that are known to prevent or treat COVID-19, the amount of zinc and other nutrients in your prenatal vitamin should provide the core nutrients that will help support your immunity during this time. While there’s no harm in taking up to 30 mg zinc daily or up to 2000 mg of vitamin C daily, loading up on these during pregnancy is not recommended. Small studies have suggested that taking a daily probiotic could help prevent colds; of course, that’s not the same as COVID-19, and the evidence is weak – but it’s not harmful to take a probiotic in pregnancy. Adequate Vitamin D levels, which can safely be achieved in most pregnant women by taking 2000 iu of Vitamin D3 daily, may also help support healthy immunity.

Herbal medicines including ginger and echinacea are considered safe during pregnancy, and have been found to support immunity. Teas such as chamomile, lemon balm, and ginger can help with aches and pains, as well as some digestive symptoms.”

— Dr. Aviva Romm, MD, midwife + herbalist

What are some things I can do right now to take care of myself?

Connect with others: Stay connected with others DAILY using whatever platform works best.

Get outside safely: If you are able and it feels safe to do so, try to get outside for at least a few minutes each day, keeping your safe distance of course! Sunshine and change of environment can help keep spirits up during this challenging time.

Move your body: If you are cleared for physical activity by your physician or midwife, try to get at least 10 minutes of movement each day. Just a little movement can be helpful and feel refreshing. There are a ton of great resources online for workouts. Just remember to listen to your body and go at a pace that feels energizing and refreshing, not painful or too tiring. For now, you may not have the same amount of energy for workouts as you did in the past, and that’s ok.

Monitor your intake of news and social media: Some information can certainly be helpful to stay safe and prepared. Too much scrolling can contribute to anxiety and unhelpful worry. Notice how you are feeling as you read news and scroll social media, and use your emotional state as information to limit social media and news intake as needed.

The Center for Postpartum Family Health offers a simple checklist for staying on top of self-care https://cpfh.org/checklists/.

— Kim Jones, LPC, LMFT, Perinatal Mental Health Specialist

LACTATION

Can I breastfeed if I am COVID-19 positive?

“At this time, there is no evidence that would indicate that COVID is transmitted through breastmilk. But each hospital has its own policy in place, and you may have preferences as well about how to deal with a COVID positive result. You can read more about it here and speak with your midwife or doctor and pediatrician about what they are seeing and doing.”

– Samantha Huggins, Full-Spectrum Doula

“Breastfeeding is still absolutely best for baby, even if mom has COVID-19, with rare exception of severe infection making a new mom to sick to breastfeed. While infection is not spread through breastmilk, an infected mom can transmit the virus through respiratory droplets during the period of breastfeeding, so if you have confirmed COVID-19 or you’re symptomatic, it’s essential to take all possible precautions to avoid spreading the virus to baby. This can be done by washing your hands before touching your baby and wearing a face mask while you’re feeding your baby. If you‘re pumping, wash your hands before touching any pump or bottle parts and follow recommendations for proper pump cleaning after each use. Also, if you’re well now and are able to pump, I recommend ‘stockpiling’ some breastmilk in the freezer, so that if you do get COVID-19 while breastfeeding, feel exhausted, or want to distance yourself from baby for your own peace of mind, then you have milk on hand for someone to feed baby from a bottle.”

— Dr. Aviva Romm, MD, midwife + herbalist

Should I cancel my first visit with my pediatrician and move to all telemedicine?

“Keep your visits with the pediatrician 2-3 days after discharge and the 2 week visit. Many pediatricians are forgoing the 2 week visit and just doing a tele-visit but I recommend keeping it to get the weight check so we can be sure that the baby is gaining weight well.”

–LaShanda Dandrich, Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)

I’m having trouble nursing and am not sure what to do in this environment. What do I do?

“I worked together with HATCH on a blog post about debunking common nursing myths that covers everything from soreness to supply, so start there and practice patience. You can do this together as a team, with the right rest, relaxation, guidance and support. If you’re really struggling, I encourage all new families to continue to reach out for virtual help from lactation consultants and doulas!”

–LaShanda Dandrich, Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)

POSTPARTUM MENTAL HEALTH

What if I am freaking out? Are their specific mental health resources that deal with pregnancy and postpartum people alongside anxiety and/or depression.

“One thousand percent YES! Again, people experience these feelings even when it’s just a regular old Sunday. Please reach out to Postpartum Support International (they take care of pregnant people too) and The Motherhood Center They are both offering virtual support and resources. If you are working with a doula right now, they can also help you find a therapist who deals specifically with the perinatal experience. If you are having feelings that feel dangerous or scary, please call NSPL as they offer 24/7 support.”

– Samantha Huggins, Full-Spectrum Doula

How can I plan for support?

“I usually recommend that moms think ahead of time who their support people will be for the weeks and months following birth. Who will provide emotional support and adult conversation? Who will help provide meals? Think about these people ahead of time and let people know your hopes and expectations. When people offer to help, take them up on it! Even if you are an amazing independent woman, motherhood requires us to practice interdependence on a level that we may not be used to and may feel uncomfortable. NOW is the time to accept, ask for, or even demand help, if needed. Letting people know what you need ahead of time may look like:

“I may need a phone call every day just to check-in, can you be available for that?”

“It would be really helpful to set up a Meal Train to help us have meals delivered after the baby comes. Can you help with that?”

— Kim Jones, LPC, LMFT, Perinatal Mental Health Specialist

If I am feeling overwhelmed or am concerned about my own or my partner’s mental health, what can I do?

“Many counselors and therapists are offering online therapy, especially now. Postpartum Support International can be a great resource in finding local providers, and also offers free online support groups and many other wonderful resources. Please know that you are not alone, and help is available! With help, you will get through this”

— Kim Jones, LPC, LMFT, Perinatal Mental Health Specialist

How will this change my postpartum period?

Unfortunately new mamas – you should be in the process of letting go of the visions you had of being surrounded by your new babes grandparents, aunts, uncles and best friends at home as soon as you get home from the hospital or even within weeks after… This is heartbreaking for most parents and understandably so. New children often bring families together – in the case of coronavirus – that togetherness will need to be put on hold when it comes to in person meetings. The very safest thing to do in this time is to limit the number of people visiting you to essentially no one outside of those who live with you – until social distancing measures are lifted. Of course its your babe and your bod so you have the ultimate decision – but most providers and organizations are recommending this social isolation measure for your safety and protection.

— Lauren Zielinski, Certified Nurse Midwife & Birthing Specialist

COVID Resources

Read Our COVID Conversation With Jada Shapiro + Dr.Jacqueline Worth

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