Being a new mom at any time is filled with uncertainties, but bringing a new baby into a world in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic comes with a whole new set of challenges unlike many of us seasoned parents have ever faced.

In a time when they need plenty of in-person support and comfort, these new families are in the difficult position of having to navigate the world of new parenthood with often their only assistance coming in the form of FaceTime or Zoom.

Even doctor’s appointments, a crucial part to maternal health, are being conducted virtually.

On my Facebook page, I put a call out to new parents, and asked them to share their stories in the hopes that their words would reach other new parents and inspire older ones, like myself.

I was amazed by the response, and how willing these women were to share their fears, their joys and their hopes with the Maybe I’ll Shower Today community.

In honor of Mother’s Day, I am pleased to share their incredible stories of #parentingthroughquarantine.

It’s Been A Wild Time To Have A Newborn:
Michelle’s Story

Like other moms I spoke with, Michelle’s path to motherhood left her with many obstacles to overcome. As she appreciates the amazing gift of her child, she reflects on the unique issues new moms face at this time.

Click on the image below to view Michelle’s story on Instagram.

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"It’s been a wild time to have a newborn."⁣ ⁣ True words, indeed, spoken by new mom Michelle. ⁣ ⁣ Building a family as a same-sex couple is an often challenging experience, and after a long, complicated and expensive journey, Michelle and her wife celebrated the arrival of their baby on March 18. ⁣ ⁣ These early days of motherhood have proven bittersweet, as Michelle shared how tough it is for her to not have family for in-person support, or even the night nurse she and her wife intended to have for the first two weeks. ⁣ ⁣ Even in this unusual time, Michelle has found a way to appreciate this moment.⁣ ⁣ "Not seeing [our family] has been really hard, but the three of us have had a ton of bonding time!"⁣ ⁣ Keep following @maybeillshowertoday for more inspirational stories of new parents navigating the world of bringing a child into the world of COVID-19 and social distancing.

A post shared by Gail Hoffer-Loibl (@maybeillshowertoday) on Apr 26, 2020 at 6:03pm PDT

Giving Birth In The Middle Of A Pandemic:
Rebecca’s Story

Rebecca’s journey to motherhood included an ectopic pregnancy and the discovery of a medical condition causing her to have difficulty conceiving. As if she didn’t face enough difficulties, the world had to go and throw a pandemic at her. Still, as many of us know, mothers are full of strength and that has guided Rebecca through caring for the son she loves.

Click on the image below to view Rebecca’s story on Instagram.

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"It was a very long road to have [our son], and then going through delivery, and his birth in this pandemic has brought up a million different feelings," shared new mom, Rebecca. ⁣ ⁣ Rebecca's road to motherhood was far from smooth. In 2018, she experienced an ectopic pregnancy, which took a month to diagnos, and, fortunately, didn't require surgery. After trying again on their own for months, Rebecca and her husband sought the help of an endocrinologist, at which time they discovered Rebecca's Fallopian tubes were blocked.⁣ ⁣ Thus began the couples journey with IVF, and, after their first egg retrieval lead to an early miscarriage in April 20𝟏𝟗, Rebecca successfully became pregnant in July and delivered her son on March 25. ⁣ ⁣ Celebrating their long-awaited child during a global pandemic has brought on some unexpected challenges.⁣ ⁣ Even the normal routine of scheduling and getting to doctors' appointments has been made all the more complicated by social distancing restrictions.⁣ ⁣ And, though Rebecca, who called her whole experience "surreal," wishes she could celebrate her son with friends and family the way she had intended, she is so happy to have her baby boy.

A post shared by Gail Hoffer-Loibl (@maybeillshowertoday) on Apr 27, 2020 at 6:01pm PDT

FaceTime Is Not The Same As Being In Person:
Sara’s Story

Sara, one of our newest moms interviewed, has only known life as a parent in quarantine. Social isolation has given her small family of three lots of time to bond, but she misses her relatives.

Click the image below to view Sara’s story on Instagram.

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“[Our son] has only been with my husband and me since he was a week old and has not been held by anyone since that time.”⁣ ⁣ For Sara and her husband, life in quarantine is all their newborn has ever known. Sara shared how she appreciates the opportunity social distancing has given her new family to bond. And while the connection is wonderful, Sara worries how being alone with just her and her husband will impact the baby’s separation anxiety once the quarantine is lifted.⁣ ⁣ Sara shared she would love to have family over not only to help but to see her baby and watch him grow. Shw noted that while FaceTime has been great for connecting with relatives, it’s not the same as being together in person,

A post shared by Gail Hoffer-Loibl (@maybeillshowertoday) on May 5, 2020 at 6:01pm PDT

Missing Things She Never Thought About:
Ashlee’s Story

Ashlee had her baby before everything started shutting down, and the change has impacted her life as well as her baby’s

Click on the image below to view Ashlee’s story on Instagram.

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“Me, mentally I’ve changed. [I’m] more nervous, scared, [and] guilty for missing silly trips, [and] my family,” shared new mom, Ashlee. ⁣ ⁣ Ashlee, who gave birth to her daughter in December, is thankful her baby was able to meet most of her family. ⁣ ⁣ After taking early precautions during flu season, Ashlee had just started taking her daughter out and about when the new Coronavirus began spreading across the country.⁣ ⁣ Ashlee noted that her baby, who had been used to going out at least once a week, was now too scared to even go in her backyard. When they would take walks together, her daughter would freak out if she realized she wasn’t inside. ⁣ ⁣ Things have improved, recently, but home life remains very different. Video chatting with family is the norm, as Ashlee does her best to be level-headed and calm for the sake of her child.⁣ “I didn’t think it would affect me as much as already being home prior, but it has. I’m missing things I never thought about.”⁣ ⁣ Keep following @maybeillshowertoday for more stories.

A post shared by Gail Hoffer-Loibl (@maybeillshowertoday) on Apr 28, 2020 at 6:01pm PDT

All My Post Partum Is Virtual:
Laura’s Story

Laura set out to be a single mother, knowing how much support she would need to care for her child. Unfortunately, the spread of the new Coronavirus left her without the help she was intended.

Click the image below to view Laura’s story on Instagram.

 

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“Navigating baby visits and post partum visits has been surreal. I never had a proper incision check. All my post partum is virtual. This seems backwards for new moms, who are particularly vulnerable,” shared first time mom, Laura on the unusual and often difficult experience of bringing a child into the world of COVID-19.⁣ Laura, who made the choice to become a single mother through the help of a donor, was well aware of the work and support needed to care for a baby. In the early days, before the pandemic escalated, Laura was able to have her mom with her and later her father. She had made plans for other family and friends to see her and the baby, but those quickly changed as the severity of the coronavirus became a reality.⁣ “One of the hardest parts has been not being able to share my baby with the world. Besides my parents, none of my family and friends have met her. I don’t know when they will,” Laura shared.⁣ Though she is alone, Laura concedes she is lucky in some ways. As someone both single and self-employed, she is used to being alone.⁣ ⁣ Laura has joined a virtual perinatal support group, which says can be helpful at times, but can only do so much. Her reality is simply without breaks, and she is even considering what risks she might take to ensure the well-being of both herself and her baby. ⁣ As a self-employed person, Laura relies on her clients for income. Taking a “maternity leave” was not an option. Working in the public health space gave her opportunities she couldn’t ignore, but also meant her having to do her job with little time for recovery. She has worked since the day after her c-section to ensure her income remains steady. ⁣ Life may be hard at times, but Laura remains positive and determined to give her baby a strong start.⁣ “All in all I’m doing pretty well. The baby’s flow of eat-interact-sleep keeps me focused and present. Video calls for work and pleasure keep me connected. The hard moments are hard, but they pass.”

A post shared by Gail Hoffer-Loibl (@maybeillshowertoday) on Apr 29, 2020 at 6:02pm PDT

Celebrating Milestones Will Be Different:
Stacey’s Story

Stacey dreamed of being a mom and had certain expectations of what her first Mother’s Day might be like. Having to adjust to this new reality has been hard.

Click on the image below to view Stacey’s story on Instagram.

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“I know we’re doing the right thing with social distancing and staying inside, but it doesn’t make my disappointment go away,” Stacey Friedman, New York.⁣ ⁣ With Mother’s Day approaching, new mom, Stacey Friedman reflects on the past three years she hoped to start a family, and how much she was looking forward to celebrating this day as a mom.⁣ ⁣ Now that the COVID-19 pandemic has placed many restrictions on social interaction, Stacey can’t help but feel disappointed she won’t be able to do the typical “Mother’s Day” activities such as, getting together with her family, go out to brunch, or even spending the day at the park.⁣ ⁣ Stacey, whose daughter turns one in June, feels guilty about not giving her child a traditional first birthday party with family and friends. She shared how she thought about postponing the party until the fall, but was met with pushback from friends, who told her the first birthday party was “just for her.”⁣ ⁣ Of course, Stacey expressed, she understands a first birthday celebration is most important to her family, but that doesn’t mean she, nor any other parent, isn’t entitled to want to honor that milestone in a special way. ⁣ ⁣ “I had one expectation of my child’s first year, and it’s going to be very different because of COVID.”

A post shared by Gail Hoffer-Loibl (@maybeillshowertoday) on May 4, 2020 at 6:01pm PDT

If you are a new parent, I hope these stories remind you how so many out there are going through the same struggles and joys as you. If you aren’t a new parent, take a moment to appreciate all that these new mothers endure.

Whether you have one newborn or have five adult children, let’s keep all moms in our hearts.

Happy Mother’s Day!