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...
Jesus’ Favorite Podcast EP 5: Singing The Gospel With Zach Gillis

Jesus’ Favorite Podcast EP 5: Singing The Gospel With Zach Gillis

Grotto, Ebony Moxey, Javi Zubizarreta

5 French Clothing Staples for a Très Chic Look

5 French Clothing Staples for a Très Chic Look

Lauren Lawson

6 Tips for Enjoying Life in Chicago Safely

6 Tips for Enjoying Life in Chicago Safely

Mike Rossetti

How I Learned the Value of Meaningful Work

How I Learned the Value of Meaningful Work

Isaac Huss

How Catholicism — and Jurassic Park — Can Inform Our Discussions on Future Tech

How Catholicism — and Jurassic Park — Can Inform Our Discussions on Future Tech

Mike Jordan Laskey

"Exhibit: Memory Loss"

"Exhibit: Memory Loss"

Marjorie Maddox

5 Ways You Can Minimize Your Tech Use

5 Ways You Can Minimize Your Tech Use

Claire Collins

4 Resources to Turn to After a Divorce

4 Resources to Turn to After a Divorce

Patty Breen

How I Learned No Experience Is a Waste of Time

How I Learned No Experience Is a Waste of Time

Jessie McCartney

9 Things to Know When Starting a Business

9 Things to Know When Starting a Business

Sophie Caldecott

Restorative Stretches When You’ve Been On Your Feet All Day

Restorative Stretches When You’ve Been On Your Feet All Day

Hanna Van Elk

Comfort in Cold Weather: Winter Beefless Stew

Comfort in Cold Weather: Winter Beefless Stew

Grotto

Making the Most of the Holidays Away from Home

Making the Most of the Holidays Away from Home

Andrew Mentock

For Those With Broken Relationships on Mother’s Day

For Those With Broken Relationships on Mother’s Day

Erin Williams

Meet the First American Saint, Mother Cabrini

Meet the First American Saint, Mother Cabrini

Ken Hallenius

How To Build a Career from Scratch

How To Build a Career from Scratch

Tamara Stacey

Using Art and Science to Restore Coral Reef Habitats

Using Art and Science to Restore Coral Reef Habitats

Grotto

What’s More Important for Fitness: Motivation or Discipline?

What’s More Important for Fitness: Motivation or Discipline?

Claire Krakowiak

Finally, Vaccinated and Free! But Free For What?

Finally, Vaccinated and Free! But Free For What?

Matt Paolelli

Meet Edith Stein, Soul-Searcher

Meet Edith Stein, Soul-Searcher

Cate Von Dohlen

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

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