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Version 9 Version 10
‘I’m Officially Scared’: Giving Birth in a Hospital During a Pandemic ‘I’m Officially Scared’: Giving Birth in a Hospital During a Pandemic
(about 1 hour later)
Quarantine Diaries: PoonamQuarantine Diaries: Poonam
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Two weeks after New York City shut down, Poonam Sharma Mathis went into labor.Two weeks after New York City shut down, Poonam Sharma Mathis went into labor.
She had once harbored deep fears about childbirth, but those were soothed when her son, Pierce, was born four years ago without complications. At 42 years old, Poonam was delighted to be pregnant again, this time with a girl. “You’ll never be alone now,” she wrote in a note to Pierce. She bought herself a pink nightgown to match her future daughter’s pink onesie, envisioning their first picture together.She had once harbored deep fears about childbirth, but those were soothed when her son, Pierce, was born four years ago without complications. At 42 years old, Poonam was delighted to be pregnant again, this time with a girl. “You’ll never be alone now,” she wrote in a note to Pierce. She bought herself a pink nightgown to match her future daughter’s pink onesie, envisioning their first picture together.
Then came the coronavirus outbreak. Poonam’s anxiety began to grow as the death toll rose. Her scheduled cesarean suddenly seemed ominous. It was possible her husband, Kris, 42, would not be allowed by her side. “This will be the worst time to be gutted like a fish,” she thought.Then came the coronavirus outbreak. Poonam’s anxiety began to grow as the death toll rose. Her scheduled cesarean suddenly seemed ominous. It was possible her husband, Kris, 42, would not be allowed by her side. “This will be the worst time to be gutted like a fish,” she thought.
Worried about the impending apex, Poonam attempts unsuccessfully to move her delivery date up. An article about a newborn with Covid-19 is particularly rattling.Worried about the impending apex, Poonam attempts unsuccessfully to move her delivery date up. An article about a newborn with Covid-19 is particularly rattling.
Poonam decides to channel her fears into recording a podcast about her experience. Her work as an entrepreneur (she had been raising money for her second start-up — a co-working space with licensed on-site child care) is on hold anyway. The podcast will be a release for her; a way to start a discussion about the unknown.Poonam decides to channel her fears into recording a podcast about her experience. Her work as an entrepreneur (she had been raising money for her second start-up — a co-working space with licensed on-site child care) is on hold anyway. The podcast will be a release for her; a way to start a discussion about the unknown.
“So, I’m officially scared,” she announces on the first episode.“So, I’m officially scared,” she announces on the first episode.
Poonam begins having contractions. She and Kris arrive at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, which is already slammed with critically ill patients. More than 1,200 people have died from Covid-19 and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo says the worst is yet to come.Poonam begins having contractions. She and Kris arrive at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, which is already slammed with critically ill patients. More than 1,200 people have died from Covid-19 and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo says the worst is yet to come.
Kris is allowed inside after his temperature is taken at the door. The nurses assure them that everything is going to be fine. Kris is ordered to wear a surgical apron, gloves, bootees and a mask. Once Poonam’s contractions are 15 minutes apart, she is wheeled into the triage room where her nose is swabbed for a Covid-19 test.Kris is allowed inside after his temperature is taken at the door. The nurses assure them that everything is going to be fine. Kris is ordered to wear a surgical apron, gloves, bootees and a mask. Once Poonam’s contractions are 15 minutes apart, she is wheeled into the triage room where her nose is swabbed for a Covid-19 test.
At 6:33 p.m., Asha is born. She is 7 pounds, 11 ounces with wise, brown eyes. After about a half-hour in the recovery room, Kris is asked to leave.At 6:33 p.m., Asha is born. She is 7 pounds, 11 ounces with wise, brown eyes. After about a half-hour in the recovery room, Kris is asked to leave.
Poonam breastfeeds while wearing a mask, her face turned to the side. Later, she learns that she has tested negative for Covid-19. She kisses her daughter for the first time. That night, stabbing pain keeps her awake. It feels as if she has been sawed in half. She has trouble catching her breath. She throws up eight times. She weeps. Meanwhile, Asha cries to be fed.Poonam breastfeeds while wearing a mask, her face turned to the side. Later, she learns that she has tested negative for Covid-19. She kisses her daughter for the first time. That night, stabbing pain keeps her awake. It feels as if she has been sawed in half. She has trouble catching her breath. She throws up eight times. She weeps. Meanwhile, Asha cries to be fed.
Standing seems to make breathing more comfortable, so Poonam slowly paces her room. After a harrowing night, she’s still in pain. “The whole recovery has been really brutal,” she says. “I think the nurses are doing their best. And the moms are doing their best. But it is so traumatic being here without somebody to advocate for you.” She thinks back to when her son was born and how family members flocked to the hospital. This birth has felt so lonely.Standing seems to make breathing more comfortable, so Poonam slowly paces her room. After a harrowing night, she’s still in pain. “The whole recovery has been really brutal,” she says. “I think the nurses are doing their best. And the moms are doing their best. But it is so traumatic being here without somebody to advocate for you.” She thinks back to when her son was born and how family members flocked to the hospital. This birth has felt so lonely.
There have now been more than 1,500 deaths from Covid-19 and nearly 52,000 confirmed cases in the city.There have now been more than 1,500 deaths from Covid-19 and nearly 52,000 confirmed cases in the city.
Waiting to be discharged from the hospital, Poonam is anxious to be reunited with Kris and Pierce, even if it means being stuck inside their home in Manhattan. Outside the hospital, Pierce is thrilled to meet his sister in person. “Asha,” he says with glee, the name new and exciting. “Asha, wake up, I’m your big brother.”Waiting to be discharged from the hospital, Poonam is anxious to be reunited with Kris and Pierce, even if it means being stuck inside their home in Manhattan. Outside the hospital, Pierce is thrilled to meet his sister in person. “Asha,” he says with glee, the name new and exciting. “Asha, wake up, I’m your big brother.”
Poonam has been home for more than a month. The pain subsided a couple weeks ago, she struggles now with bending down and physical exhaustion.Poonam has been home for more than a month. The pain subsided a couple weeks ago, she struggles now with bending down and physical exhaustion.
Asha is a good sleeper with a sweet disposition and a bit of colic. Pierce likes to kiss her when she cries. There have been dozens of family phone calls and video chats. And a trip to the window of Poonam’s parents’ home where hands were pressed to glass.Asha is a good sleeper with a sweet disposition and a bit of colic. Pierce likes to kiss her when she cries. There have been dozens of family phone calls and video chats. And a trip to the window of Poonam’s parents’ home where hands were pressed to glass.
Updated June 12, 2020Updated June 12, 2020
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
The loveliness of having a newborn is offset only by an uncertainty about what lies ahead, how long this all must go on.The loveliness of having a newborn is offset only by an uncertainty about what lies ahead, how long this all must go on.
“The future, I have no idea, I just wait and see,” Poonam says. “But I don’t feel deep terror. I just feel sadness.”“The future, I have no idea, I just wait and see,” Poonam says. “But I don’t feel deep terror. I just feel sadness.”
TextCorina KnollTextCorina Knoll
ProducersAlexandra Eaton and Corina KnollProducersAlexandra Eaton and Corina Knoll
Video EditorKevin OliverVideo EditorKevin Oliver
VideoPoonam MathisVideoPoonam Mathis
GraphicsAntonio de LucaGraphicsAntonio de Luca
Senior ProducersSameen Amin, Meghan Louttit and Dodai StewartSenior ProducersSameen Amin, Meghan Louttit and Dodai Stewart
Executive ProducerSolana PyneExecutive ProducerSolana Pyne