COO BABY

Delivering During a Pandemic | Written by Ashley Klein

Aside from the delivery portion, I could write an entire book on the new set of fears and frustrations that come along with having a newborn during a pandemic. How you will go back and forth from starting to feel safe about the world to being immersed with fear again the next day. How having a newborn with little interaction from friends and family might make you go a little nutty. But the most important thing to remember during this time is that your main job is to protect your child. That looks very different for everyone. Like normal motherhood, pandemic motherhood with a newborn is not a one-size fits all policy. Do what you are comfortable with and forget the rest!

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5 Basic Things to Do & Not Do Before Baby Comes

Before having my son, I found myself constantly searching online for all of the things I needed to do to prepare for the baby. I’d then feel overwhelmed and nervous that I would forget something and be unprepared after reading lists that gave me 35 things (35 THINGS! WHO HAS TIME FOR THAT?!) I needed to be doing that instant or all hell would break loose. I’m here to tell ya - don’t stress mama. Most of those things are extra and unnecessary. Below I’ve compiled a list of 5 things I shouldn’t have wasted my time and energy on, and then 5 things I should’ve actually been spending my time and energy on. Let us know in the comments below if you have anything you’d add to either list!

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Shepard’s Birth Story

We were on week 40, day 6 of pregnancy. It was a Friday morning and my husband and I had woken up for the day just like every other day. I was still working (I work remotely) so I just had to drag my (what felt like huge) body into the kitchen to turn on my laptop, check my emails, and make sure everything was still set and organized for whenever maternity leave would officially start (aka whenever the baby decided to make his debut). My induction was set for 40+10 (my OB wouldn’t let me go longer than that) - so I knew I’d be having him within the week if he didn’t come on his own sooner. My OB also insisted that I head in for a non-stress test that day - just to make sure his heart rate was in a healthy range and that he didn’t seem to be under any stress. The well-meaning texts from friends and family were still coming in - “IS HE HERE YET?!” and “Are you STILL pregnant?”...”YES,” I wanted to scream. “I am still pregnant.”

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Everything You Need to Order to Prepare for Breastfeeding & Postpartum

Below we’ve compiled an easy, comprehensive list of items we found to be really helpful postpartum (when it came to breastfeeding and physical recovery). Obviously every labor, delivery, and feeding style vary, so if you had a different experience and have anything to add, please share it below!

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