Waiting...and gestating!

I remember thinking last year that it would be amazing to be pregnant in spring time - growing a new baby at the same time as nature starts to unfold and grow new buds and leaves feels very fitting. Even amidst all of the uncertainty around COVID-19 I really appreciate being able to go into the garden or go for walks (keeping distance from other people) to relieve any anxiety. I have also started practicing hypnobirthing and often visualise being in nature. It seems very important to try and stay in a good head space at the moment, for me and the baby, and I'm glad to see that lots of people are already talking on social media about mental health during these uncertain times.

It really feels like we're all living in limbo at the moment. So, what are we all waiting for? Clear advice from the government about when to self-isolate? But where does that leave people who work in hospitality, health care, schools...basically anyone who can't easily use a laptop to work from home? Waiting for the supermarkets to restock shelves with loo roll and pasta? I'm glad to hear that some shops are prioritising older people to get their groceries before the masses descend each day. But if you're self-isolating, how are you supposed to pick up groceries?

That's where great schemes like Viral Kindness come in. You can download a PDF of a little slip that gives your name, phone number and the tasks you're happy to help your neighbours with if they are self-isolating. Just pop it through your neighbour's door and they'll call you if they need anything. You can download the PDF here (or write your own if you don't have a printer).

There are loads of theories floating around the net about why the UK government are dragging their feet about putting in place quarantine measures. If we peak too soon maybe everyone will run out of steam and start coming out into the world again, causing a second influx of cases. But if we don't all start social distancing now it seems clear that it will be very difficult to control the spread in time to save thousands of people's lives.

It's really sad to have to cancel plans, whether that's just having friends over for dinner or really important dates in the diary like family weddings. But, in my opinion, it's our social duty to reduce the risk to those vulnerable people in our communities by distancing ourselves and, if we can, staying at home completely (even if we don't have symptoms now, we could be asymptomatic for 2 weeks and spreading it to elderly people or people with underlying health conditions before we know it).

It was only suggested yesterday that pregnant people should self isolate completely (one friend told me the advice is to do so for 12 weeks, which is rather daunting). There is scant advice or evidence for parents-to-be yet, as the virus is so new. It seems likely that pregnant people can't pass the virus to their baby whilst in the womb or through breast milk and the virus doesn't seem to be as severe in young people as the elderly. Obviously, nobody wants their baby to be poorly or to be ill themselves when their baby is born. My heart really goes out to people who are due now or soon, as it must feel like walking into the unknown but midwifes are available at the end of the phone to give advice and there is lots of information being disseminated via the Positive Birth Movement on Facebook.

I feel uniquely placed to offer suggestions for self-isolation and how to deal with spending a lot of time on your own and in the house after 4 months of doing a lot of it! I can't say I find it easy and usually seeing friends is a VERY welcome break but I have settled into the rhythm of it and it makes it easier now to make the transition to self-isolation (I am very lucky in that I don't have a job at the moment and live with my fiance with lovely neighbours who can deliver food packages so I am well aware that it's much easier for me that the majority of people).

Silver linings of staying at home more and slowing down the pace of life for a while (if you can):
- More time to read good books. If you can't get to the library order online. Book suggestions in comments please!
- Depending on where your interest in creative expression lies - give yourself writing challenges or write more often in your diary; bake cakes and find new recipes to try; design your own greetings cards and send to your friends (I'm not a huge crafter but obviously there are lots more ideas of how to get your craft on!).
- Turn favourite music up loud and dance/sing in the shower. It's a real refresher for me at the moment! (obviously try not to use too much water but I'm allowing myself small luxuries like this at the mo!)
- If you have a garden, get pruning! You can also start planting a few different veggies if you have the seeds or order them online. If pregnant - remember to wear gardening gloves and wash hands thoroughly afterwards (the advice is not to garden whilst pregnant cos cat poo can carry listeria and naughty felines might have done their business in your rose beds! But wearing gloves and not rummaging too much in soil should be OK).
- Take the opportunity to text old friends, reconnect with people you haven't spoken with in a while and organise Skype calls with your besties and family. I think we are all becoming much more aware of making sure we support people in our communities/friendship groups who might be struggling and this counts for people who you might assume are just fine. There's no harm in just checking in and having a catch up.
- Doing YouTube workout videos.
- Pregnancy related - read Ina May Gaskin, Milli Hill, Sheila Kitzinger, Emily Oster, Katherine Graves. Work on your birth plan. Practice hypnobirthing so you feel confident and ready for the birth. If your NCT courses have been cancelled request information via email or Skype, and for a Whatsapp group to be set up with all the people who would have been on your course. Join or start a Facebook group for pregnant people in your area who might be worried about COVID-19.

As I said, I don't find it the easiest thing to be alone or inside a lot. So if you have any other tips please do let me know. It's hard to keep your chin up in such weird times, especially if you're pregnant and a bit anxious about it already, or having to cancel really important plans, which can feel devastating. But I am SURE that by taking action now, even if the government aren't being quick enough on the uptake, we will be protecting those we love and other people's loved ones too.

I hope work places which can close and let people work from home do so immediately, and small businesses are officially closed down so that their insurance for lack of earnings is covered. This limbo land where it's all just down to us without the government's support for people who can't work from home is ridiculous!

Lots of love to everyone x