Being pregnant during lockdown has been a strange experience. Like many people trying to go about their daily lives in these uncertain times, there have been highs and lows. 

On one hand I have been very fortunate in that I’ve had a relatively straight-forward pregnancy. Mr A has been able to spend a lot of time at home helping me look after the little adventurer. Plus, I’ve had a reasonable amount of freelance work to keep me busy. So, in the grand scheme of things, we know that we have been very, very, lucky.

We’re so grateful to all of the key workers who haven’t had the option to work from home. It’s thanks to their hard work that we’re starting to see a relaxation of some of the lockdown restrictions.

Missing the small things and the big things

However, like so many people, there have been things I’ve struggled with over the last 12 weeks. Not being able to see family and friends has been a big one for me. As both myself and the little adventurer are always out and about. Before lockdown I think the only time we’d spent a full day at home was when she was ill!

Luckily we have a nice garden she can run around in and we’ve been making the most of the sunshine. I can’t imagine how much harder it would have been if this had happened in winter. But I’ve still missed playdates with friends, trips to our local museums and libraries and visiting our favourite Wellington Country Park.

There’s also been the big, momentous events that have been cancelled, postponed or celebrated in smaller ways than usual.

So far this year we’ve missed out on three weddings, four holidays/weekends away (including what was intended to be our babymoon in Albania), 14 family birthdays (we have a very big family) and we’ve had to celebrate our fifth wedding anniversary and both Mother’s and Father’s Day in isolation. There’s also the very real possibility that many of our family and friends won’t be able to meet our new baby for some time to come.

Being pregnant during lockdown has meant adding hormones to general anxiety, which has resulted in a few extra tears! So while we’re all trying to stay positive it’s inevitable that some days are going to be harder than others. 

Bump watch

It also feels weird to be so close to the end of my pregnancy when most people I know haven’t even seen me with a bump! Back in March, I wasn’t showing that much and any bump I had was hidden under big jumpers and coats. So it’s strange when friends ask my due date and then realise that they haven’t even seen me look pregnant. 

Preparing for the arrival of a new baby has also been more difficult this time around. Although I’m thankful this is my second baby, so we already have a lot of the things we need. But buying equipment online is always tricky for an indecisive person like me. I much prefer to look around the shops for any supplies. Consequently there has been many hours of staring at my virtual shopping basket, unable to click the ‘buy now’ button.

I’m also sad that I haven’t been able to do many of the nice things I was looking forward to. Like going for pregnancy massages or taking my little adventurer on some special days out. Mr A and I also had to cancel our first night away together since our little adventurer was born two-and-a-half years ago. So we’re hoping that we’ll be able to do that some time before the kids leave home!

The positives about being pregnant during lockdown

However, one of the things that has helped to put everything into perspective is how happy my little adventurer is. She honestly doesn’t care whether we’re at home or on some big trip. She finds the joy in everything we do. One of my favourite things each morning is to make a plan for the day with her. Listening to her suggestions of going to see the ducks, or playing in her swing in the garden or reading “a whole pile of books” (her absolute favourite) really does make me feel so happy.

Spending every moment together over these last few months has allowed us to see her grow and develop into the most fun, inquisitive, adventurous little girl I could imagine. I can’t believe how much her speech has come along and all of the things she thinks about and questions on a daily basis. 

Spending so much time at home has also given us the opportunity to get on top of all of those dreaded ‘house jobs’ you never get around to doing. For the first time in three years I can finally see the floor of my study, as we got around to unpacking all of the boxes that had been sitting in there since we moved! 

Being pregnant during lockdown has also meant I’ve been able to indulge my nesting instincts. I must admit, Mr A has been very patient as I’ve suddenly decided entire rooms need changing around or organising. 

I’ve seen a lot of posts going around about what people are going to miss about lockdown. Personally, I know that as our lives become busier we’ll look back on these quiet, laidback days and be thankful for what it’s given us. The time to notice and enjoy nature, the time to let our imaginations run free and the time to be together as a family of three before life changes once again.

Is there anything you’re going to miss about lockdown or are you raring to get into the world again?

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