TULSA, Okla. — Delivering a baby is not an easy task, especially now. Some mothers are thinking twice about whether the hospital is the safest place for a newborn infant, or if they are better off giving birth from home.
“It would be a little disappointing and disheartening if we couldn’t have those first few moments as a family,” Erik Phillips said.
One Broken Arrow mother tells us her story of how the coronavirus will affect her families life, especially if no one is allowed in the delivery room during the birth of her newborn baby girl.
“Oh man, that would be… um… it’s not my first. But still, to have to do that on your own, it’s pretty scary,” Lacey Drake said.
Drake and Phillips have been through a few pregnancies in their lifetime, expecting baby number four, a girl they are calling Stockton Lizabeth.
With everything happening in the world, and in hospitals across the nation, they have plenty to be concerned about. But they are trying to stay confident.
“We are staying positive. We are keeping perspective with everything going on, but it is a little scary, not going to lie. We are a little nervous,” Drake said.
Their doctor says Drake is allowed to have her fiance in the room during delivery, unlike other expecting mothers 2 Works for You has spoken to across the state.
This families fear is that that could change.
"Gosh, Erik did everything with the last one we had," Drake said. "Now, to not have that support, or someone to help you through all the craziness and everything you have to go through, that would be really hard for me.”
They admit they are scared, but both mom and dad say they are prepared.
The plan is the have baby Lizabeth in St. Johns Hospital, and although there are risks, they say it's those first few seconds that will make all the difference.
“It’s a big deal for us for sure," Drake said. "Those first moments, I remember when my son, you know, having him just naked on my chest, and that was our time. He got to hold him and our bigger kids got to come in later.”
As a dad, Phillips says having a baby in the hospital is all they know, but they trust their doctor. So, they try not to stress about it.
“Having a baby is something that is very special, and I would be very disappointed and heart broken if I couldn’t be there,” Phillips said.
The pressure is on, Phillips says.
“As the provider, it makes it tough. We are supposed to be the all knowing and strong," Phillips said. "Carry the family and lead them with no fear, but I will be honest with you. I am scared to death.”
The Phillips family tells me their frequent doctor visits haven't changed since the coronavirus began to spread in Oklahoma.
So, while they await their big day, they plan to enjoy it as a family at home, now closer than before.
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