Pandemic pregnancies bear added anxieties — but also promise more family time

This story is part of Amy Bell's Parental Guidance column, which airs on CBC Radio One's The Early Edition.

Expecting a baby can be frightening and confusing and amazing, especially if it's your first — and being pregnant during a pandemic can heighten those feelings even more.

Along with all the usual fears and worries, the ever changing recommendations, restrictions and advice amid new variants are affecting everything for new parents practically from the moment of conception.

But in the two years since the first appearance of COVID-19 in B.C., there have also been a lot of new parents raising their children during a truly extraordinary time who can offer advice and hope. 

They point to less hectic work and social schedules, and the fact that fewer interactions have turned their attentions even more toward enjoying time with their newborns and toddlers. 

But there has undoubtedly been added stress around the time of birth, says doula Emma Devin, founder of Brood Care.

"There is much fear, especially in birth — either getting COVID-19 or [one parent] not being able to attend the birth, and then coming home and then thinking, oh my gosh, here we are. But we have a baby. And we have no community.' ... the anxiety of birth and COVID has passed and [now] there is more anxiety," she said.

There have also been knock-on effects from overworked health-care staff, Devin said. 

"Knowing that all of our coworkers, all the midwives and OBs [obstetricians], those folks are incredibly burned out and aren't receiving the care and support that they need either. So we're seeing that trickle down to the parents. It's just awash in melancholy," she said.

Anxiety has been especially acute for first-time parents like Candice Johnson, who is just weeks away from having her first child.  

"I found I was pregnant at the cusp of when vaccines were coming out. So that was a very stressful time because I didn't know whether it was the right thing to get a vaccine or not," said Johnson, who added that the heartbreak of a miscarriage early last year had left her feeling even more protective for her unborn child.

"When I fell pregnant it was just like I wanted to do anything to prevent anything from happening," she said. 

To be clear, health authorities say the vaccine is safe for pregnant women. Pregnant people are at increased risk from COVID-19 and a vaccine drastically reduces that risk. 

But a lot of parents who had already expanded their families in the early days of of COVID-19 found the experience so good, they've done it again.