SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC NEWS) — The joy of pregnancy and birthing a little one into the world is something many women look forward to with the support of their partner. But the COVID-19 pandemic forced many women to have to labor alone prior to Gov. Andrew Cuomo lifting the restriction on banning partners in the delivery room.
So, on top of the fear of having to give birth in a virus infested hospital, mom-to-be’s were now faced with how they were going to deal with being alone.
“My partner can’t even come to an appointment with me,” Karen Sanchez said.
She is owner of Haute Heart Physical Fitness Center and pregnant with her second child, due at the end of June.
Although Cuomo has since lifted the ban not allowing partners in the delivery room, many pregnant women are still fearful of catching the virus when it’s time to give birth. So they have made the decision to get a midwife who can guide them through the delivery holistically and privately.
“The week before I am due, she will allow me to try a lot of natural things, like herbs, acupuncture, she’s going to guide me the week prior so that I can go natural, and she’ll help me facilitate that process,” Sanchez said.
Being pregnant during the pandemic has raised many concerns for women, especially how to protect themselves and their baby with the high number of COVID-19 hospitalizations.
“If I can’t go natural and I have to go to the hospital to have a C-section procedure, that would be most unsettling for me,” Sanchez said.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States, home birth midwives have seen a surge in requests for home birth.
“There was a 400% increase in hits to my website with people inquiring about home birth delivery.” Julie Carlson said.
Carlson has been a certified nurse midwife for 13 years and is the owner of Mamabear Midwifery. in Central New York.
Her mission is to provide passionate and personalized care that values informed decision making, active engagement in wellness and the wisdom of the body.
Pre COVID-19, Carlson would attend two to three births monthly. Now she has up to six expected births each month through the end of November.
“It’s definitely an increase as a result of this crisis,” she said.
