FORT MYERS, Fla.-- Expecting moms in Southwest Florida are having to balance the excitement of having a baby along with the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Yasmine Adigun and her husband said this isn't exactly how they thought they would be welcoming their first baby.
“This is a little scary because it’s not what we had planned for," said Adigun. I wanted a baby nursery, I wanted to prep and nest in a bigger place."
The Adigun family knew it would difficult to move, set up a nursery, and have a maternity photo-shoot while practicing social-distancing. This forced them to put off those plans which most couples look forward too.
Despite all of that, they’re focused on making sure their baby is born safe and healthy. That thought has them — and many other couples in Southwest Florida— looking into their delivery options.
They looked into home births, birthing centers, and hospitals. In the end, they decided on a hospital in Cape Coral with a doula.
“Labor and delivery is a separate building," explained Adigun. "There’s no one coming in there except moms who are about to give birth. Anyone with COVID-19 or symptoms are in a separate place.”
Michelle Trias— a doula with the Nurtured Mother— said many of their clients have also been looking into their delivery options in hopes of limiting their exposure to the virus. She has noticed more moms are interested in home births, but she admitted finding a midwife right now might be difficult.
“These midwives book out so far in advance and they can only take on so many clients in a time period," said Trias.
Midwives are considered health care providers. While a doula— like Michelle— is more like a childbirth coach that supports the mom before, during, and after labor.
The virus has changed the way both of them have to do things. For example— the Nurtured Mother moved all of their meetings and classes online. However, their main focus isn't completely on the expecting moms but rather their partners instead.
“We’ve changed it so it’s more geared towards helping the father or the partner to really be the doula," said Trias. "To teach them everything we can, all we know, for a lack of better words all of our tips and tricks."
The Nurtured Mother is offering a free Q&A on April 11 at 9 a.m. to help ease concerns for any expecting parents. Click here for more information on the meeting along with their other services.
