Though all opinions are my own, this blog post is sponsored by SSM Health Dean Medical Group.
As I took Sophie in for her six-month baby well check appointment a few weeks ago, I began reminiscing on the past year. What a year it was.
March 2020 was a month that will go down in infamy. It started with all of this hub bub about something called COVID-19. No one really knew what that meant or how it would end up affecting us all in so many ways. By mid-March, I found out I was pregnant with a rainbow baby. I was over the moon excited,but also a bit apprehensive as this unknown Corona Virus was becoming more and more relevant. Within a few weeks everything took a turn. The whole country—the whole world—shut down. This new virus had taken over and here I was, a mom of 3 little children, pregnant with my fourth (a rainbow baby) needing to be strong and navigate life in a global pandemic.
I was rocked…physically and mentally.
My first trimester was very different from any other of my pregnancies. All of my prenatal visits were virtual. The concept seems great, I mean you don’t have to go anywhere, but in reality, all I wanted was to hear my baby’s heartbeat. I didn’t get a chance to hear that sweet sound until I was 16 weeks pregnant. That was crazy!!! Way too long.
After that, I mentioned to my OB that I would really like to be seen in-person for all of my future visits. She was more than happy to schedule in-person visits. I remember her telling me how important prenatal care is and that she and the entire obstetrics staff at SSM Health DeanMedical Group’s West Clinic in Madison were very dedicated tokeeping prenatal care and childbirth as “normal” as possible. What a relief.
Honestly, after requesting in-person visits, my prenatal appointments/care was very much like it had been in the past. The biggest changes were waiting in the car rather than the waiting room, wearing a mask, and for most of my prenatal appointments, not being able to bring an additional support person.
Although being pregnant during a pandemic was not a walk in the park, my SSM Health OB and the medical staff at SSM Health Dean Medical Group’s clinic on the west side of Madison were dedicated to giving the best, most supportive prenatal care possible.
I am extremely pleased with the care I received over that past year. My last pregnancy will be a memorable one for sure.
