Lonely Childbirth is the MCO Reality for Pregnant Mothers

By Karissa Lund  •  in News
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(source: Business Insider)

There may be no perfectly convenient moment to give birth, but for women who are pregnant in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, this must feel like the most uncertain period.

According to RCOG, there is currently no evidence to suggest that pregnant women are at any more risk of contracting coronavirus than the general population. And if infected, the risk of severe disease or death in healthy pregnant women and babies is very low.

While that information can put expectant mothers at ease, the new reality is that during the MCO, they may have to go through labour and childbirth all alone.

According to Bernama, no spouse or companions are allowed in the delivery room or ward to support mothers giving birth due to new hospital restrictions for the coronavirus outbreak. Thus, expectant mothers will have to go through a higher level of stress and anxiety, as they will now have to manage everything independently.

Recently, Facebook user – Anies Surianie Mat Daud shared her experience of giving birth to her second child on 24 March at Tengku Anis Hospital in Pasir Puteh, Kelantan. She noted it was far different from the time she gave birth to her first child.

(source: The Star)

“When I found out that my husband would not be allowed to keep me company while I am in labour or visit me after delivery, I was upset and worried that I would not be strong enough to go through the delivery process all by myself, ” she told Bernama.

“It was indeed a struggle doing it all alone, even though it was my second delivery. You not only have to take care of yourself but the baby too. I felt adequately strong at that time, but I shed tears every time I moved… especially when I had abdominal cramps and having to deal with the postpartum pain, ” she said.

Her post on FB has garnered over 8k shares and nevertheless, the mother of two boys was grateful that she had a safe delivery and she advised other expecting mothers to make early preparations and be well-equipped.

“If possible, bring along masks because the hospital nurse may ask you to wear one before entering the maternity ward. Remember the doctor or nurse’s advice not to panic. Don’t cry, don’t scream. Pay attention to what the nurses say in the delivery room because you only have them to support you at that time,” she urges.

Most importantly she said, mothers in postpartum must learn how to breast-feed as getting it right would help calm the newborn.

We wish all mothers who are pregnant right now a safe journey through these tough times. “Being a mother is learning about strengths you didn’t know you had” – Linda Wooten. 

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