Coronavirus Resources for Expecting and New Parents

Tips | Advice | Resources

**Updated December 2020

For pregnant women and for those that have recently given birth, there’s already a lot to think about. The normal stressors and challenges coupled with the realities of social distancing and COVID-19 outbreak present a lot of unprecedented ambiguity in the entire maternal process- beginning with fertility, throughout pregnancy and delivery, and into postpartum and parenting.

I think about my friend, Anna. She lives in Atlanta, and had to cancel her baby shower back in March. Then, her doctor postponed her appointments until April. She was told that her husband should no longer accompany her to essential appointments.

As the pandemic unfolded, her anxieties grew:

• What if she has to deliver her baby alone?

• What if she has to be separated from her baby for a period of time following delivery?

• Will there be a shortage of diapers and other necessary supplies?

• What about support? She had planned to rely on parents, family members, and friends for the first few months. With social distancing that may no longer be an option.

Being the smart, capable woman she is, she started looking into how the COVID-19 outbreak effects pregnancy, delivery, and infancy. Needless to say, it’s quite overwhelming.

Update on Anna: she gave birth (with her husband by her side) to a healthy boy who is now 6 months old.

COVID-19 wasn’t anyone else’s 2020 vision board, and feelings of uncertainty continue to linger. As we enter 2021 there are millions of new and expecting mothers trying to navigate the constantly changing terrain. There’s also no way to press pause on human life. So as women, we have to liberate ourselves of the already unrealistic expectations of perfection we place on ourselves. Staying diligent, practicing self-care, and preparing for uncertainty are the best ways to plan ahead.

Inspired by my clients and mama friends, I’ve complied a list of current information and resources for those who are pregnant, postpartum, or parents. I will do my best to keep these updated.

Resources | Pregnancy | New Mom/Parenting | Fitness/Self Care | Activity Inspiration | Helpful Resources | Fertility/Reproduction | Charitable Resources 

Resources

1. The CDC

2. CDC Guidelines for Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, Infants, & Delivery

3. World Health Organization: Advice for the Public

4. Guidance from American College Obstetrics and Gynecologists

5. Coronavirus Disease: What You Need to Know About it’s Impact on Moms and Babies (March of Dimes)

6. Update: Characteristics of Symptomatic Women of Reproductive Age with Laboratory-Confirmed SARS-CoV-2 Infection by Pregnancy Status (CDC)

7. Holiday Celebrations and Small Gatherings (CDC)

Pregnancy

1. Pregnant People Haven't Been Part Of Vaccine Trials. Should They Get The Vaccine? (NPR)

2. Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women May Opt to Receive the Vaccine (New York Times)

3. What Pregnant Women Should Know about the Coronavirus (BusinessInsider)

4. Coping with Self-Isolation or Social Distancing when Pregnant (NCT)

5. Online Childbirth Courses During Social Distancing (cOre poTential)

New Mom or Parent

1. Postpartum Support International: COVID Resources (PSI)

2. Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, & Children (WIC)

3. National Diaper Bank

4. CDC Guidelines for Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, Infants, & Delivery

5. Moms Are Not OK: COVID-19 and Maternal Mental Health (Front. Glob. Womens Health)

6. Self-Care in the Time of Coronavirus (ChildMind)

7. American Academy of Pediatrics Recommendations for Pediatrician Visits

8. WHO’s Guide to Parenting in the Time of COVID-19

9. Working at Home during the Coronavirus with Kids Underfoot (CNBC)

10. 22 Remote Learning Tips For Parents Helping At Home (Teachthought)

11. COVID Daily Schedule Example: use at home with your family to set routine/structure

Fitness, Movement, & Self Care

**Not all are guaranteed to be pregnancy or postnatal safe.

1. TenPercent: Free mindfulness offerings

2. Barre3: 15-day free trial for online workouts

3. Bodylove Pilates: 7-day free trial for pre/post-natal workouts

4. COVID-19 Self-Care: Tips from World Health Organization (NPR)

5. Headspace: Free meditations for all health care employees with some free offerings for general public

6. The Best Online Workout Classes, According to Strategist Writers and Editors (New York)

7. Restore Your Core

8. Momma Strong

9. Mutu System

Activity Inspiration for the Family

1. 50 Sensory Activities for 1-year-old

2. Motor Milestones (Dinosaur Physical Therapy)

3. At Home Activity Guide (Zero to Three)

4. Movement and Mindfulness for Kids (GoNoodle)

5. Free Virtual Museum Tours (Travel and Leisure)

6. 50 Indoor Activities for Kids (hello, Wonderland)

7. Movement Games (Playworks)

8. CosmicKidsYoga: yoga and mindfulness

Other Helpful Resources

1. Internet Essentials from Comcast : reduced or free internet for those in need

2. Coronavirus Symptoms (NPR)

3. Coronavirus Anxiety: Coping with Stress, Fear, and Uncertainty (HelpGuide)

4. Isolation, Quarantine, and Stay-At-Home: What the Terms Mean and How they Differ (CNN)

5. How to Handle Every Stressful Holiday Situation During a Pandemic (Allure)

6. Doc & Doula (Facebook group): free resources and advice from pre/postnatal experts and a supportive community at your fingertips

Fertility & Reproduction

1. Conceiving During Coronavirus Outbreak (Babypalooza)

2. ASRM Patient Management and Clinical Recommendations During The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic (ASRM)

3. Early Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from the 2020 Guttmacher Survey of Reproductive Health Experiences (Guttmacher)

4. Impact of COVID‐19 and other viruses on reproductive health (Andrologia)

5. Delaying Pregnancy during a Public Health Crisis — Examining Public Health Recommendations for Covid-19 and Beyond (The New England Journal of Medicine)

Get Involved, Give Back: Charitable Resources

1. National Diaper Network :

2. Project Bread : provides food resources to children and families in MA

3. Baby2Baby : provides basic necessities to children 0-12 living in poverty

4. Meal on Wheels : provides meals and groceries to seniors

If you know of a resource that would be helpful for others, leave a comment or reach out at dana@functionalwellness.space.