9: Pregnancy and Parenting in the Time of Corona

Things are pretty tough for all of us as closures and quarantining have become a worldwide reality but life has become incomparably more interesting for parents during the Coronavirus pandemic. Jill and Julia are neither pregnant nor parents so they reached out to a few friends to see how they’re coping and how they’re adjusting to their new lives as stay at home parents.

Lily, a friend and historian, is 5 months pregnant with her first child. She speaks about the lack of information around COVID-19 in pregnant women and children, how partners currently not allowed in the delivery room and the importance of staying mentally happy for the sake of the baby. She also shares her ways of staying fit and entertained while in confinement and the value of staying in touch with friends and family via video call.

Henri and Virginia are new parents, with their little boy being born just days before quarantine measures were set in place. They give insight into the workings of their little family during this time, from being mentally prepared for alone time with their newborn and the difficulty of not being able to share moments with friends and family to the value of a good shower and disinfectant spray in every corner of the home.

Finally, Kate Leismer, a writer, poet, and storyteller living in Berlin shares the trials and benefits of co-parenting in the time of Corona. Kate is newly separated from her partner and explains the relief that shared custody provides - especially in a time like this, how she relied on Kita and public spaces to keep her two young children entertained and how living in a city makes quarantining with children especially difficult. For more on her life, listen to Kate’s podcast here: https://www.bearradio.org/about-face

This episode is brought to you by Bear Radio. Big thanks to RØDE for the sponsored equipment and to our friends and family for their enthusiasm to share their stories.

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