Lockdown Babies

[ajm93]

Hey,

I had my first baby at the end of June so know how all you ladies feel. I don't want this thread to be a big pity party but I have really hated the fact I had my first baby this year, although she is the best best thing that's ever happened to me, and I'm completely obsessed

I just feel like I spent the whole of Covid from March to June so so stressed about what rules would be in place and whether anyone would get to meet baby so I really didn't get to enjoy pregnancy.

We have missed out on so much, from the trivial stuff like shopping for prams and baby bits, to last days out/ baby showers/ last holiday pre baby, to the more serious stuff like partners at scans, baby groups, antenatal classes etc. Baby's first christmas will be crap! Have missed out on so many opportunities to dress my beautiful baby up and show her off to friends and family.

We were also supposed to get married in May (baby was a surprise!) whicj has now been postponed indefinitely, so that will all be completely different.

For me it's been the emotional side, there's been so much angst around can/ will people meet baby, should they?!, everything being a compromise and feeling guilty and anxious all the time. I know all this is first world problems too which contributes to the guilt.

As a first time mum I also feel robbed as even if you have a second it won't be the same as you'll be so busy with two. You'll never get the pre baby time or the mum, dad and first baby time (without Covid) back.

Sorry for the pity party. I'm sure as you all know it is so so bittersweet as these babies are the best thing that has ever happened to you, but at the worst time/in the worst year

So much sympathy and empathy with you ladies! When are you guys going back to work? I will be going back sometime in April/ May depending on how long we can afford.

Don’t apologise. You’re well within your rights to feel the way you do. This isn’t how any of us planned this year to be and it’s so frustrating and even upsetting. Thankfully our babies are too young to remember this year and so won’t know that they didn’t spend X amount of time with certain family members or friends and there will be plenty of opportunities to make amazing memories that they will remember in the future xx

I’m back at work in a few weeks at the start of Jan but will be working from home for the most part. Was originally only taking 9 months leave but decided to take my full entitlement when the pandemic hit, didn’t feel right going back this year x

 

[CherryBakewell]

I had my baby in June and have really struggled with the lockdown restrictions. I had to be induced as I had pre eclampsia, spent four days in hospital on my own, my husband obviously couldn’t be there with me it was really horrible. I was so looking forward to classes and meeting other mums (I’m the first of my friends to have a baby) and obviously that hasn’t happened. I honestly feel so lonely and isolated. I love my son but it’s so bloody hard just now

 

[Fishnips]

Another December 2019 baby here . I totally get what you mean, it’s been hard stuck in the house and not being able to go to groups etc. Sorry to hear that your partner was awful are you ok now? X

I've split from him now. He's very good with her and his other kids, so whilst still very much trying to maintain control over me, I cant fault him as a dad which is what is most important to me. She's very much content with him and does have a weekly overnight with him which she seems to really enjoy. I built a home with him and left with nothing which has been really hard but we will get there eventually! I don't have support from any family and I don't have many friends either but I have a couple of really solid friends so I'm definitely in a much better place than I was!

Have you been keeping busy? I pop her in the carrier and go for a good walk most days but she isn't walking yet and is increasingly frustrated at being restricted to a carrier/buggy which I'm finding difficult!

 

[FakeSmile]

I find this thread really interesting - I’m due my 3rd baby in 3 weeks time and it’s going to be such a different experience to when I had my first 2, 3 and 1 years ago.

 

[Fishnips]

Yeah it’s really hard especially with the colder weather! My little one isn’t walking yet either but she’s trying to climb EVERYTHING which keeps me on my toes ha. She doesn’t like being in the pram much either! I’m back at work in the new year so she will be off to nursery, I think she’ll enjoy the change of scenery and new people to interact with tbh, she must be sick of me by now haha

Sounds just like my little monkey.
Yeah I think nursery will be great for them at this age and it's nice for them to be able to socialise given the circumstances. My LO did a few afternoons at nursery and she had a blast. Unfortunately my ex made me quit work and I've not found a new job yet so it had to stop as the fees were crippling me but she'll definitely be going back once I'm working again. How do you find your little one is with leaving you?

 

[ajm93]

I had my first baby at the very end of 2019, so like you I feel very lucky that I could have my boyfriend in with me for everything, especially as my waters unexpectedly went around this time last year at 36wks but wasn’t induced until 10 days later and then spent a week in hospital after the birth. The first few months were fine but it has been very odd since March, there are still people my daughter hasn’t met yet or seen much of and of course no baby classes etc. She starts nursery soon, which I know will be good for her and she will love being around the other littleuns her own age but I don’t know how she will take to it at first.

 

[Devondoll]

I had my third baby on fathers day in June. I was induced and had to go in alone for it, i went in Saturday 8am and didn't have baby until Sunday 8pm. Hubby wasn't allowed in until I was in active labour. Thankfully they told me to ring him when they took me to break my waters as my last baby arrived quite quickly. I had baby in the evening and they were in no rush to send him home, I ended up telling him to go as I wanted to sleep (gone midnight!). I haven't seen a health visitor at all, and he hasn't been weighed since 6 weeks. I'm so grateful for the new bubble rules as now my mum can come over freely. Baby hates masks though, he won't crack a smile or interact with anyone (including me) if we have a mask on.

 

[Loveitme]

Hello , I had a lockdown baby in May and got pregnant in the second lockdown last month so due in august .I’ve had two hospital stays with my baby during lockdown one then again in lockdown 2.

 

[Carrie2019]

Aww great thread!
My baby was born end of may so middle of lockdown. Crazy he’s nearly 7 months and hasn’t met soooo many people yet.

 

[Kim Mild]

I had a baby at the start of the year . Haven't seen the health visitor since 6 week check and have no idea of baby 's weight or which centile they follow.
I have a toddler and a teenager, too so baby can interact with them . They have never met another baby.

 

[HoneyBee29]

I’m pregnant with my first and due March 2021. I was luckily allowed my partner at all my scans and due to being low risk have only had to have 2 scans. Honestly kudos to any woman who had to give birth over lockdowns or attend apps alone I’m sure it was very difficult. I’m just worried about what the hospital situation is gonna be like by March it makes me a lot more anxious about labour

 

[britishbunny]

I had a little boy in March. I think this is a fabulous idea!

 

[ajm93]

I've split from him now. He's very good with her and his other kids, so whilst still very much trying to maintain control over me, I cant fault him as a dad which is what is most important to me. She's very much content with him and does have a weekly overnight with him which she seems to really enjoy. I built a home with him and left with nothing which has been really hard but we will get there eventually! I don't have support from any family and I don't have many friends either but I have a couple of really solid friends so I'm definitely in a much better place than I was!

Have you been keeping busy? I pop her in the carrier and go for a good walk most days but she isn't walking yet and is increasingly frustrated at being restricted to a carrier/buggy which I'm finding difficult!

Ah you’re doing the best thing for you which is the main thing and at least he does still have a relationship with your daughter. Glad to hear you’re in a better place now!

Yeah it’s really hard especially with the colder weather! My little one isn’t walking yet either but she’s trying to climb EVERYTHING which keeps me on my toes ha. She doesn’t like being in the pram much either! I’m back at work in the new year so she will be off to nursery, I think she’ll enjoy the change of scenery and new people to interact with tbh, she must be sick of me by now haha