Unexpected Benefits of Giving Birth During a Pandemic

It's normal, expected, and easy during times of crisis to focus on the bad, the challenges, and the loss. Right now, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are mourning what we don't have, what we can't do, where we can't go, and who we can't be with. The grief and loss we feel over all the things missing is real and valid. At the same time, some people have started to notice how all of the "don'ts" and "can'ts" are opening up space for new things that can be done. For example, the restrictions and changes required during the pandemic have allowed for some positive changes in labor, birth, and postpartum. 

On our partner blog for childbirth professionals, Connecting the Dots, guest author and Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator Mindy Cockeram shares the positive changes that she and more than 100 other birth workers have witnessed during the Coronavirus pandemic. Cockeram first acknowledges the many real and harmful issues that this time has created for families, including increased stress, mental health, and health risks for both babies and parents. On the flip side, she discusses several "silver linings" that this time has brought about. I've summarized her findings below. 

Silver Linings - Unexpected Benefits for Labor, Birth, and Postpartum During COVID-19

More available nurses in labor

In trying to avoid additional exposure to the virus, people are avoiding hospitals as much as possible during the pandemic. Thankfully, many minor concerns can be addressed by doctors and midwives over the phone and do not require hospital assessment or treatment. As a result, more labor and delivery nurses are available to tend to people who are actively admitted to the hospital for labor and birth. Cockeram tells us that, "Nurses that are freed up to help support labor have the potential to change patient outcomes.  (Edmonds, Jones, 2013). 

Less visitors can be a good thing!

There are strict policies in place right now to limit the number of people supporting the person giving birth in order to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus. While this can be distressing for people who planned to have their partner, and mother, and sister/best friend, etc. attend their birth, it has also had numerous unintended benefits that all boil down to one key change: there are fewer distractions for the person in labor. Fewer distractions allow for more focus on labor and birth, which can make the progress of labor easier and faster. Fewer distractions also encourage parents to spend more focused time bonding and skin to skin with baby, as well as more freedom to learn breastfeeding and to rest, nap, and recover during postpartum. 

Cockeram shared this comment from a nurse: “Labor is not a spectator sport. Many (visitors) are loud, on the phone, hungry and walk in and out all shift. Now it’s just the support person and you have a much nicer delivery. The patient gets all the focus – as it should be."

Less time spent in the hospital during labor

Cockeram also shared that nurses are seeing more people coming into the hospital once they are further into active labor, which means that their overall time in the hospital in labor is less. Laboring for longer in the comfort of your own home is linked with shorter labor times, increased comfort in labor, and less interventions once in the hospital. 

More partner involvement during labor

Without extra people in the room during labor, many partners have stepped up to become more involved and attentive to the many needs that come up during labor. Continuous support from a loved one and/or trained professional is linked with good outcomes for parents and babies! 

Support and flexibility from childbirth classes and doulas

With the many changes required for safety from COVID-19, both childbirth teachers and doulas have had to change how they support families. Childbirth classes have turned to virtual instruction, with both live and recorded classes so parents can attend from the comfort and safety of their own home, and more easily fit classes into their schedules. Doulas have also turned to providing remote support for some parents -- "attending" births via live video calls and helping guide partners to provide the best support during labor. 

The restrictions and environment we're all experiencing during this time is not "normal" or ideal -- and in many cases, it has presented dire circumstances for many families. And yet, in some cases, these changes have allowed for unexpected moments of positivity. Share in the comments what kind of experiences you've had during this time. Have you experienced any benefits you may not have experienced normally?