Expecting and New Mums Coping With Social Distancing
Being pregnant or a new mummy is so exciting but can be very daunting at the best of times. It must be even harder now when the whole country is in lockdown. I am sure none of you were imagining spending your pregnancy being isolated and when your baby arrives not being able to go anywhere, going to any mummy and baby groups and have no visitors to meet your new baby. As a maternity and newborn photographer I work with a lot of expecting and new mummies and have a lot of sympathy for you ladies that must be feeling quite vulnerable right now. But do not give up, there is still a lot you can do at home and still enjoy yourself. I have put together a short list to give you some ideas to start with. I hope you find it useful :-)
Exercise
You can still have a very healthy and active pregnancy. A lot of the exercise groups that you were going to attend have switched to online classes and if they haven’t then there are so many alternatives. I have put just few links below for you. These are those that I find interesting and think they could be fun.
Free antenatal Yoga Class by NHS
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-fitness-studio/prenatal-and-postnatal-exercise/
Dance Like a Mother
This place seems to have everything, antenatal yoga, baby massage, parent and baby yoga, the original baby wear dance class, kids ballet etc.
https://www.dancelikeamother.com/
The Positive Birth Company
Online Hypnobirthing Course
The Daisy Foundation
They have online classes from before birth to classes for up to 18months old
Happy Parents Happy Baby
Lots of different online classes
https://www.instagram.com/happyparents.happybaby/
Busy Lizzy
The timetable from this place is amazing from Mum-to-be yoga to Baby Singing and Hip Hop Tots. Everyone can find something there :-)
Socialising and Making Mummy Friends
Make sure you stay connected to people by using social media, whats up etc. There are a lot of groups on Facebook popping up all the time. Most of the online exercise classes will have a Facebook page so you can join them and talk about your experiences. I have created a special temporary Facebook group for expecting and new mummies to find support and friendship during self isolation. My hope is that while this all lasts you will get mutual support and create friendships and when this is all over you won’t feel like you have missed out so much. I will be posting a lot of useful links and info and when the self isolation period is over I promise I will be giving special photoshoot offers. There will be a lot of lonely expecting and new mummies out there now so if you are reading till the end and you know any, please tell them about the group as I am sure they will appreciate it.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/515312729371231/
Baby Shower
You can still have your baby shower, I admit it won’t be as traditional but what a story you will be able to tell your baby when they grow up. You can do it through Zoom or Google hangouts and still see your friends. I am sure they will be excited to show up as they all have much more free time :-)
Baby Shopping
How lucky we are to be living the world when almost everything is possible to buy online. Just be vigilant after your package arrives and wash your hands after you open it and dispose of all the packaging.
I hope you find this short blog useful :-)
Jitka x