Have you been thinking about how to approach the holidays since you will have a new baby? So many questions come to mind and it seems difficult to know what is right. I know that it is especially hard this year. You are in my thoughts pregnant mom and new parents with a brand new baby.
I remember bringing home my new premature babies (the triplets) during Flu and RSV season years ago. The definition of RSV or "Respiratory syncytial virus is a common, and very contagious, virus that infects the respiratory tract of most children before their second
birthday." per WebMD. It can be a common cold for other people and much more for a premature baby. I was told that to be careful of my babies getting RSV because their lungs were premature lungs. It could mean a hospital visit or the worst because of our NICU course. I discussed it with my husband and then post on social media what our plans would be for the season ahead. That gave family member time to process it and a timeline to help them plan as well. It was a tough thing to say but, I had become the parent of 4 kids. If my family got sick, would have been extremely difficult to manage it. And no one comes to get sick with you and take care of your family of 6. Adding the thought of a hospital visit means parents can not visit if they are indeed sick.
Now back to COVID, your family is faced with a virus that is still being researched in addition to flu/ RSV season. Make a plan for the holidays that will not leave you anxious for days or weeks afterwards. Healthcare professionals and researchers have laid out a plan for helping to reduce the infection.
Here are preventive steps you and people you live with can take:
Limit close contact interactions with other people as much as possible.
When going out or interacting with others outside your immediate household,
Wear a mask, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. Note that wearing a mask is not a substitute for other everyday prevention actions like washing hands frequently and avoiding close contact with other people.
Avoid others who are not wearing masks or ask others around you to wear a mask, if possible.
Stay at least 6 feet away from others outside your household.
Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Also,
Avoid activities where taking protective measures may be difficult and where social distancing can’t be maintained.
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/pregnancy-breastfeeding.html
If you want more information or you would like to have a FREE consultation please email me. I am here to help.
LaToshia Rouse
Birth and Postpartum Doula
Birth Sisters Doula Services
919-322-9196
contact@birthsistersdoula.com
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