Read

This Mother Chronicles Her Pandemic Pregnancy Experience

Creator:
Published:
January 30, 2024
November 23, 2020
Imagine having to go through a coronavirus pregnancy; this woman chronicled it as well as the stress that came with it.

As a nurse, Laura Olson is all too familiar with the risks that the pandemic brings. As an expectant mother, these risks are heightened to a new level. Her experience journeying through this pandemic is filled with fear and anxiety, and yet she pushes on each day, conscious of the life she is carrying — and the joy it will bring.

"His name means, 'He laughs or rejoices,'" Laura says of her newborn. "I just think that's really important right now during everything that's going on in the world."

Video Transcript

Meet Laura Olson: nurse

Fort Worth, Texas

July 2020

Laura Olson: I'm a nurse and my husband is a doctor, and I am currently nine months pregnant amid a global pandemic, so this is a crazy time to be having a baby.

I'm due here at the end of July, and of course, here in Texas, this is the month where the COVID cases are just having a crazy surge, so not only are we working in high-risk places, but I'm also pregnant.

Also, I just found out this last week that the policy for the hospital when I go in to deliver is that they will test me for COVID, and if positive, they will recommend separating mom and baby. So, I'm pretty terrified.

(Laura in her car wearing a face mask)

So I'm in line to get tested for COVID. Just been having headaches and nausea and fatigue, which I mean, could all be end pregnancy symptoms, but here it goes.

(Laura in the car without a mask)

I got tested. Basically someone was really short with me when I was driving up, and I almost started crying. I think just because I was stressed and I'm like, "I'm sorry, I'm just really scared." And then all of a sudden I just like started crying. I’m like “I'm due next week. I don't want to be doing this. I'm hoping this is all just like pregnancy symptoms.”

(After getting test results)

My COVID was negative. Huge sigh of relief.

(Laura getting out of the car putting a mask on)

Going into my last appointment before next week. Had to figure out crazy childcare solution because my sitter was exposed over the weekend so —

(Walking out of the clinic with a mask on)

Okay, I’m leaving the clinic. So I have to get induced today. The baby's measuring kind of small, probably because of stress, so it's time for baby to come out.

Woman: Good morning.

Laura: Good morning.

I’m a little freaked out. Trying not to feel guilty. The Lord is with us, I guess. Yeah, here we go.

(In hospital bed)

Okay, so I am in the hospital bed now.

24 hours later

So, we had a baby. Meet Isaac Marian Olson. His name means, “He laughs, or rejoices.”

I just think that's really important right now during everything that's going on in the world. We rejoice over you, and you bring laughter and joy.

(Baby sleeping peacefully)

Creators:
Grotto
Published:
January 30, 2024
November 23, 2020
On a related note...
How We Can Become More Open-Minded

How We Can Become More Open-Minded

Sophie Caldecott

I Am Not a Failure for Gaining Weight During this Pandemic

I Am Not a Failure for Gaining Weight During this Pandemic

Stephanie DePrez

Simple Self-Care Ideas to Take into the New Year

Simple Self-Care Ideas to Take into the New Year

Julia Hogan-Werner

‘A Hidden Life’ and What It Takes to Be a Good Person

‘A Hidden Life’ and What It Takes to Be a Good Person

Josh Noem

Why 'Living for the Weekend' is No Way to Live

Why 'Living for the Weekend' is No Way to Live

Patrick Schmadeke

How a 9-Day Routine Revived My Spiritual Life

How a 9-Day Routine Revived My Spiritual Life

Lillian Fallon

The Nonprofit That is Rewilding America’s Prairie

The Nonprofit That is Rewilding America’s Prairie

Grace Spiewak

Just Starting Your Career? Heed This Advice From a CEO

Just Starting Your Career? Heed This Advice From a CEO

Jessie McCartney

How Having “Soul Sessions” With My Friends Transformed My Faith

How Having “Soul Sessions” With My Friends Transformed My Faith

Alexandra Bendixen

A reflective narrative by Alexandra Bendixen.

Learning to Say ‘God is Love’ When You’re Gay

Learning to Say ‘God is Love’ When You’re Gay

Eve Tushnet

The Rock Band Wilco Changed My Life Once and They’re Trying To Do It Again

The Rock Band Wilco Changed My Life Once and They’re Trying To Do It Again

Mike Jordan Laskey

"Dear Heart, a Letter"

"Dear Heart, a Letter"

Maisy Williams

Rock Climbing: How to Form Community

Rock Climbing: How to Form Community

Grotto

How I Reverse Burnout in 10 Minutes a Day

How I Reverse Burnout in 10 Minutes a Day

Sage Webb

Life at Home Should Reflect Your Deepest Values

Life at Home Should Reflect Your Deepest Values

Marye Colleen Larme

A Groundbreaking Approach to Reconciliation and Racial Justice

A Groundbreaking Approach to Reconciliation and Racial Justice

Mike Jordan Laskey

10 Films That Will Shake You Up (In a Good Way)

10 Films That Will Shake You Up (In a Good Way)

Maria Walley

Duct Tape Surfing

Duct Tape Surfing

Grotto Shares

How One Livestream Changed My Quarantine Experience

How One Livestream Changed My Quarantine Experience

Lillian Fallon

Artist Uses Work to Spark Healing Conversations

Artist Uses Work to Spark Healing Conversations

Grotto

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll meet you in your inbox each week.