Coping with COVID: Rhonia’s Story
March 13, 2020. I was 36 weeks pregnant, the day President Trump proclaimed the Covid-19 pandemic a national emergency. I awoke with body aches and chills; but I was scheduled to be on call for 24 hours on the Labor and Delivery unit. The thought of taking a sick day didn’t occur to me, I dutifully reported to work. Mid-way through my shift, my symptoms worsened. I asked a coworker to cover for me. She took one look at me, and insisted I put on a mask and get tested for Covid-19.
Luckily, it was the first day that testing was available at the hospital, and I promptly reported to the Emergency Department. A female physician saw that I was pregnant and expedited my care. In less than an hour, I was assessed, tested for Covid-19 and advised to self-quarantine for 14 days. My symptoms improved within a few days; however, the results of the test were still pending. It was the early stages of the coronavirus, and there was limited data about Covid-19 and its effects on pregnancy. I was fearful of the potential impact of this virus on myself and my unborn son. After 4 days of self- quarantine, it was requested that I return to work. Initially, I felt compelled to return, as it is the work culture of medicine in the United States, to not take days off, despite being ill. After further reflection, I advocated for myself and my child, deciding to work from home and to begin my maternity leave earlier than anticipated. A few days later, my test results reported: positive for Covid-19.
In the midst of a global pandemic, the final month of my pregnancy was a trying time. Family members were not allowed to accompany me to prenatal appointments. My mother, with whom I’m extremely close, struggled to accept that only one family member would be allowed in the delivery room. At 40 weeks gestation, I was admitted to the Labor and Delivery unit, where patients were required to be tested for Covid-19. Almost a month after my initial test, I tested positive for the virus, again. From then onward, the doctors and nurses wore full PPE in my labor room. As my husband was the designated family member in the delivery room, my mother and sister camped out in the hospital parking lot, throughout the entire labor process. After 23 hours of labor, I delivered our baby boy.
After my delivery, I was transferred to a Covid-19 postpartum unit. Unfortunately, partners were not allowed there; and I spent my first night as a mother, without my husband. I was exhausted and further terrified of having to care for our son, alone. I had the option of leaving my son in a “Covid nursery” for 24 hours; however, I chose to keep him with me. It was challenging, as the nursing staff was limited and the unit was not well equipped . Finally, after what felt like a night of terror, I was discharged.
Despite the impact of Covid-19 on my birth experience, I’m thankful to have safely delivered my baby boy. Throughout the process, I committed myself to maintaining a spirit of gratitude and speaking words of affirmation each day; as my faith in God kept me calm. I’m eternally grateful for my amazing husband; the talented doctors; and my colleagues/friends at LIJ Medical Center for taking care of me, through this harrowing but joyful experience.
Dr. Rhonia Brooks-Gordon is an OB/Gyn at NYU Langone Health. Follow her @21_in_a_million
