COVID-19: Valuable Ways To Absolutely Support Pregnant Women
If your loved one is pregnant in the age of COVID-19, she’s likely experiencing a wide range of emotions. She is navigating pregnancy during an unprecedented time. From isolation and loneliness to anxiety and stress, the pandemic has left many pregnant and postpartum women feeling alone. And worse, even more concerned about the health and safety of themselves and their babies. Fortunately, it’s still possible to support your pregnant loved one during the pandemic — even if you can’t be near her or meet up for face-to-face visits.
These four tips from Mommy Hustle Pro should help you. Be the supportive friend, sibling, parent, partner, or spouse your pregnant loved one needs. She is preparing for the arrival of her new baby! Read on for ways to help.
4 Ways to Support Your Pregnant Loved One Amid COVID-19
1. Offer the Gift of Comfort
Your pregnant loved one is likely spending the majority of her time at home. This is an effort to protect herself and her baby from the coronavirus. However, one of the easiest ways to support her throughout her pregnancy is to offer the gift of comfort. Send her a comfortable and stylish pair of leggings. The Louisa Maternity and Postpartum Support Leggings from Kindred Bravely is a great option. Two styles are available, including one with pockets large enough to hold keys, a cell phone, and other essential items. Other best-selling items from Kindred Bravely include nursing bras, tanks, and pads — and maternity nightgowns, pajamas, and robes.
Other comfort essentials for mothers-to-be include items that can help alleviate pregnancy aches and pains, ease morning sickness, and offer a better night’s sleep. There are also items to keep your mom-to-be as comfortable as possible as she quarantines at home. You may wish to send a body pillow, heating pad, handheld massager, and scented essential oils. Some of the best essential oils include lavender, rose, and geranium. Geranium and rose essential oils help to soothe sore feet, legs, and backs. Meanwhile, lavender aids in a restful night’s sleep.
2. Be There for Her During COVID-19
According to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding mothers should limit close contact with others as best as possible amid COVID-19. This helps protect pregnant and postpartum women from the coronavirus. However, it may also leave them feeling isolated. Instead, this should be a time they should be feeling excited and supported by their friends and family members. Mom.com offers thoughtful tips for emotionally supporting a pregnant loved one during the pandemic.
- Call or video chat with her regularly
- Organize larger video chats with other friends and family members
- Set up a care calendar that can be used to grocery shop for your pregnant loved one. Deliver meals to her home, and pick up last-minute baby essentials
- Host a virtual or drive-by baby shower for your mom-to-be
If you live with your pregnant loved one — or can safely be near her during the pandemic — you could also assist her in packing a bag for her stay in the hospital. The hospital bag checklist from Mommy Hustle Pro will help to ensure that your loved one has everything she needs before and after she gives birth. This includes a birth plan, outfits for herself and the new baby, slippers or flip flops, toiletries, and other pregnancy and postpartum essentials. Sign up for emails for a free printable checklist.
3. Organize a Distanced Baby Shower
Hosting a virtual or drive-by baby shower can be a great way to safely support a pregnant loved one. Especially during the coronavirus crisis. You can celebrate your mom-to-be via Zoom or Skype — or you could organize a drive-by baby shower at your pregnant loved one’s home. You could also host a baby shower in a backyard with plenty of outdoor space, at a public park, or a spacious indoor venue — but make sure you’re following social distancing guidelines, wearing masks, and keeping the guest list to a maximum of 10 people. If more than 10 people will be attending, try staggering each guest’s arrival time.
Checkout the baby shower games offered in The Mommy Pro Shop to get your guests engaged and having fun.
4. Send Gifts to the Hospital
As your pregnant spouse, partner, friend, sister, or daughter prepares for the arrival of her new baby, you could support her even further by sending a few pandemic-friendly gifts directly to the hospital after she gives birth. Though you may not be able to visit mom and baby right away, these gifts will show her you care, give her the pampering she deserves, and make new motherhood as tolerable as possible in the age of COVID-19.
Several great gift ideas for pregnant and postpartum women include:
- Items from The Mommy Pro Shop. The Mommy Pro Shop sells everything from baby wrap carriers and diaper bags to handy tools that can be used to unbuckle a child’s car seat.
- Postpartum essentials. Essential items for new mothers include maxi pads, a few pairs of comfortable, loose-fitting underwear, and a perineal (peri) bottle for cleansing the perineum and relieving postpartum pain.
- Gift certificates. Send your new mom a gift certificate. Try a meal delivery service, baby subscription box, local coffee shop, or a television streaming service. These are perfect for those late night and early morning feedings.
- A new mom gift basket. Fill a DIY gift basket. Add lip balm, hand lotion, dry shampoo, healthy snacks, books, and other essential items to pamper the new mom.
The Bottom Line
Pregnancy can be a physically and psychologically challenging period in a woman’s life — and the pandemic has caused many expectant mothers to feel even more anxious, stressed, and depressed than they would be otherwise. While distancing themselves from others, many expectant women are feeling lonely and isolated. Some feel as if they’re missing out on the whole experience of being pregnant. Others are so worried about contracting COVID-19 during pregnancy that they’re having trouble eating, sleeping, and planning for their baby’s arrival.
This is where you come in. By supporting your expectant loved one as best as possible, you can help her to overcome these pandemic-related worries. Therefore making the most of her pregnancy as she prepares for the arrival of her new bundle of joy. Ensure she knows to turn to Mommy Hustle Pro for stylish gear, parenting tips, and information to help her journey through motherhood!
