Ci 704 Final Paper

The Effects of Covid-19 on Motherhood
A paper submitted to
the Graduate College of
Marshall University
In partial fulfillment of
The requirements for the course of
CI 704: Social and Political Determinants of Curriculum
In
The Ed. D. Curriculum and Instruction Program
by
Laura Aluise
Approved by
Dr. Nega Debela, Course Instructor
The Effects of Covid-19 on Motherhood | Laura Aluise
Abstract
This paper seeks to examine the effects of Covid-19 on pregnant women and mothers.
This paper explores the feelings and routines of five women, through interview, who are parents,
pregnant, or both during the pandemic. Reports from articles relating to motherhood during the
pandemic tie into the interviewees answers to provide more information. Covid-19 is defined,
and its effects on pregnant women are presented in order to provide an overview for the
pandemic and a basis as to why the interviewees feel the way they do. Lack of childcare and
family outings during the pandemic are addressed, and the feelings touched on include:
selfishness, depression, guilt, isolation, and stress and anxiety. It was determined that although
the mothers experienced some of the same emotions that they all responded differently to the
pandemic. Given the small number of mothers interviewed and the uncertainty as to the long
term effects the pandemic will have on mothers and their families, it is recommended that this
study be revisited in the future on a larger scale, interviewing more mothers.
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Review of Literature
Looking at the literature, I decided to organize it based on its theme and usefulness in
terms of my research. The study by Rasmussen, et al. and the article by the American College of
Obstetricians and Gynecologists [ACOG] provided data as to the effects of COVID-19 in regards
to pregnant women. Both articles were extremely helpful in this matter.
The Rasmussen, et al. (2020) study sought to examine the implications of COVID-19 for
pregnant women, their susceptibility to and severity of COVID-19 in pregnancy, safety
guidelines, vaccination, and infant care related to COVID-19. Rasmussen, et. al found that data
on how COVID-19 affects pregnant women is limited and therefore it was difficult to determine
base recommendations for pregnancy specific-care. Looking at other infectious respiratory
diseases such as SARS and MERS, Rasmussen, et. al believed that pregnant women could have a
severe reaction to COVID-19. It was their recommendation that surveillance systems for cases of
COVID-19 include information on pregnancy status and maternal and fetal outcomes. They also
recommended that pregnant women be vigilant and aggressively follow all safety measures and
interventions in regards to COVID-19 (Rasmussen, et. al, 2020). The following article published
by the ACOG covered a much wider range of topics related to pregnancy and COVID-19.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists [ACOG] (2020) presented
data they had acquired on COVID-19’s effects on pregnant women. They reported that the
overall risk to pregnant women was low and that the overall risk to pregnant women was lower
than for contracting the flu. The ACOG stated there was a need for further data and that it was
their recommendation that clinicians should counsel pregnant women about the potential risk for
severe illness from COVID-19 and provide them with precautionary measures for the prevention
of contracting the disease.
The ACOG (2020) addressed a wide range of topics related to stress, travel restrictions,
inequalities in racial and ethnic minorities in regards to prenatal and postnatal care, and
precautionary measures for healthcare workers. The ACOG also spoke of the hospital practice of
removing the newborn from the mother if the mother is suspected or confirmed as having
COVID-19 for the protection of the newborn. Lastly, the ACOG discussed breast feeding in
general during the pandemic or if the mother contracted COVID-19 and stressed that the virus
could not be transmitted through breast milk and recommended the continuation of breastfeeding
for the benefit of the child.
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The next two articles I utilized followed along the same vein in terms of risks to pregnant
women and precautionary measures and were from the Mayo Clinic and the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention [CDC]. The least useful in terms of my research was the article by the
Mayo Clinic. I felt the study by Rasmussen, et al., the article by the ACOG, and the CDC all
offered more in-depth information as to the risks posed by COVID-19 for pregnant women and
in terms of preventative practices and safety guidelines both pre and postpartum.
The Mayo Clinic (2020) sought to examine the risks of COVID-19 for pregnant women.
They briefly looked at the impact on prenatal care and offered labor and delivery as well as post-
partum guidance. The Mayo Clinic stated that they did not yet know if COVID-19 could be
transmitted through breastmilk, which was contradicted by the findings of the ACOG who stated
it could not be transmitted, but it was their recommendation that mothers continue to breast feed,
but to wear a mask if they have the virus or have symptoms and to wash their hands before and
after handling their infant. They also recommended expressing breastmilk and having a non-
infected person in the home administer it to the baby. Lastly, the Mayo Clinic offered advice as
to what could be done in order to prevent contracting the disease.
The article from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] (2020) provided
much more in-depth precautions, safety measures, and social distancing regulations in order to
ensure protection for families than the Mayo Clinic. Strict guidelines were outlined for pregnant
women and breast-feeding mothers in terms of preventing the contraction of COVID-19 and
what to do to protect yourself and your family should you contract it. The article also discussed
strict safety guidelines for newborns including SIDS prevention and COVID-19 prevention
practices for young children. The CDC (2020) stressed the importance of attending all doctor’s
appointments both for parents and pediatric appointments for children even well child visits. Tips
were provided for coping with stress, and postpartum depression was discussed as well as the
importance of seeking treatment.
In my research, the next two articles were particularly useful in terms of looking at
hardships faced by mothers, families, and children. They both examined the effects of COVID-
19 on parenting. Knopf and Calarco (2020) specifically looked at the effects of the pandemic on
mothers, and Jervis (2020) examined the effects of stressed caused by the pandemic on
parenting, families, and children.
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Knopf and Calarco (2020) sought to discover mothers’ preferred sources of information
about the pandemic and public health recommendations for prevention. They also examined how
mothers of young children interpreted social distancing guidelines, identified barriers to
practicing social distancing, and described the impact of social distancing policies and practices
on family life and parenting paying special attention to mothers with limited resources.
In their preliminary findings, although most mothers turned to news media for
information, they determined the most trusted sources of information for mothers were their
spouses/partners and public health agencies. With precautionary steps, they found that most
mothers reported the utilization of frequent hand washing and hand sanitizer, and covering
coughs and sneezes. Less common steps of prevention used were wearing masks in public,
avoiding public places entirely or avoiding leaving the home at all (Knopf and Calarco, 2020).
Knopf and Calarco (2020) found that the barriers to social distancing revolved around
balancing work and childcare. With the shutdown of schools and daycares, it was reported that
mothers were spending more time caring for their children. Spending more time with their
children required them to work less hours or in some instances they lost their jobs or were forced
to quit in light of their circumstances.
It was determined that childcare was unequally shared between mothers and fathers with
mothers being responsible for the majority of care. The researchers discovered family life and
parenting was viewed as increasingly stressful and strained relationships between mothers and
their spouse/partners were reported as a result of the social distancing policies and practices.
Knopf and Calarco (2020) recommended following up to see how mother’s decisions were
changing and restrictions eased and states and the country reopened. The next article by Jervis
(2020) was most helpful to me in terms of examining how parents dealt with pandemic stress.
Jervis (2020) sought to examine the stress that the pandemic was putting on parenting,
families in general, and children. In his research, he found that 52% of 562 parents felt self-
isolating and financial worries were interfering with their ability to parent. 61% reported
shouting, yelling, and screaming at their children. 1 out of every 6 reported spanking or slapping
their children with 11% stating they had done so multiple times, and lastly, 19% said they
screamed more often and 15% reported an increase in the use of discipline.
Jervis (2020) found during his interviews of professionals in the field of childhood
trauma and psychology that it was determined children tend to emerge OK from traumatic
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events, that they are resilient. It was determined that children and families can emerge from
trying circumstances with a sharpened ability to adapt. If parents are doing well and managing
well, it is much more likely the children will do well too.
It was recommended that parents be alert to behavior changes, especially aggressive
behavior, medical problems such as increased rates of asthma, noticeable changes in sleeping
habits or prolonged fits of crying or anger in their children. It was also recommended that parents
pick their battles, demonstrating more flexibility with the daily routine, and to give children more
responsibilities to make them feel more involved and helpful in the home during this time of
social distancing and self-isolation (Jervis, 2020). Although my next two articles dealt with
hardships faced by mothers, they specifically examined pregnant women and new moms in terms
of the effects of isolation and stress. Seeing as I was expecting initially when I first began
conducting this research, these articles were of particular interest to me because the women
interviewed were in my situation at the time. The article by Leffler looked at the effects of
pandemic stress on new mothers, and the article by Tate addressed the isolation experienced by
pregnant women during the pandemic.
Leffler (2020) sought to examine stress caused by the Coronavirus on expecting moms
and how it increased the risk for mental health issues. In his study, Leffler interviewed two
mothers who had traumatic experiences regarding the birth of their children during the pandemic.
He also interviewed maternal mental health experts regarding how they felt the pandemic would
affect pregnant or new mothers. It was found that although it was too early to determine the long-
term effects of COVID-19, that maternal mental health experts believed that the fear and
uncertainty caused by the pandemic would have a pronounced effect on pregnant mothers.
Broader use of online support groups and telehealth were recommended in aiding struggling
mothers.
Tate (2020) examined the effects of isolation on pregnant women. She interviewed two
expectant couples and a clinical social worker with a women and families mental health support
practice. One expecting couple reported financial hardship related to the expectant mother losing
her job bringing them to just one income. Both expecting couples reported fear for their unborn
child regarding possibly contracting the virus or having their child removed from them due to
contracting the virus themselves. Both couples reported feeling they could not properly enjoy
their pregnancy or time with their baby because of pandemic stress and being alone-unable to see
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friends or family or to even attend appointments together. It was determined that couples were
experiencing a sense of isolation, loneliness, and grieving because having a baby did not live up
to the expectations from past years of having a baby. It was recommended that parents reach out
to family and friends virtually in order to maintain communication and validate feelings.
The final article I utilized by Sauer, although more useful for the purpose of my research than the
one published by the Mayo Clinic, offered insight as to what the Coronavirus was and what it
entailed. Sauer (2020) sought to define COVID-19 or SARS-COV-2. In the article, Sauer stated
where the virus emerged and provided an overview of its symptoms. He stated that the virus
varied in its severity among individuals and has caused death in some cases.
Introduction
It’s been one of those days. The type of day that has become more frequent than not. I
have swallowed vomit twice in an attempt to actually keep from physically throwing up. I detest
throwing up. My feet feel like I took a hammer to the heel and inner arches, and I’m panting like
an overheated dog because I cannot quite catch my breath. On top of it all, I cannot stay out of
the restroom thanks to illness or get cool enough. Everything I touch quickly becomes damp
thanks to pregnancy induced hyperhidrosis-overactive sweating in my hands and feet, and my
fingers are swollen out to resemble grotesque, pasty sausages. Third trimester pregnancy is
described to be uncomfortable in general, but this feels absolutely horrid.
This is my second pregnancy. My first pregnancy was the exact opposite of this one. I
could function, eat, exercise, and sleep just as I did before becoming pregnant. Unfortunately,
that’s not the case this time. Even though it is ridiculous, I have started to think my unborn child
hates me. This does nothing to help with the fact that I’ve been on doctor ordered quarantine
since the pandemic closed down schools in West Virginia in March. Daycares followed suit
shortly after and so I was working from home up until May when the school year “ended,” doing
online coursework with my toddler daughter while having to function through a far from easy
pregnancy. I have found that I am fatigued with very little patience about 95% of the time. Being
a pregnant parent to a hyperactive toddler, I somehow managed to complete my work, but it
wasn’t always easy or without an occasional “woe is me” meltdown.
During this pandemic, I have really struggled to come to terms with how I feel. I have
dealt with illness, aches, and fatigue-all symptoms of pregnancy, but I have also had to cope with
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the stress and anxiety associated with a lack of time for myself, of isolation-self-quarantine and
social distancing restrictions, of guilt, and fear for what the future might bring (Aluise-C, 2020).
What is Covid 19, and what risks does it pose for pregnant women?
According to Sauer (2020), COVID-19 or SARS-COV-2 is a highly contagious, new type
of coronavirus-large family of viruses causing respiratory illness-not previously identified in
humans- that emerged from China in December 2019. Symptoms include cough, fever or chills,
shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, muscle or body aches, sore throat, new loss of taste or
smell, diarrhea, headache, fatigue, nausea or vomiting, and congestion or runny nose. However,
symptoms can be severe and have caused death in some cases (Sauer, 2020). Rasmussen, et al.
(2020) state there is no evidence that pregnant women are more susceptible to infection with
COVID-19. Studies show that more men have been affected by this disease than women.
Rasmussen et al. (2020) cite a recent study by Chen et al. that examined 9 pregnant women who
had contracted COVID-19 during their third trimester. The study revealed that clinical
presentation of the disease was similar to that seen in non-pregnant adults. They were unable to
confirm whether pregnant women with COVID-19 were more at risk for severe symptoms.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] (2020) however, believes that
pregnant individuals may be at an increased risk for severe COVID-19 illness compared to non-
pregnant individuals. The CDC also believes that there may be an increased risk of adverse
pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm birth, among those pregnant with the virus. It is
recommended that everyone two years and older wear a cloth face covering over their nose and
mouth when out in the community in order to prevent catching and spreading the disease.
According to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists [ACG] (2020),
historically, respiratory infections such as COVID-19 have been thought to increase the risk for
severe morbidity and mortality of pregnant individuals. Although early data did not show an
increased risk of pregnant individuals compared with non-pregnant individuals, a recent study
suggests that pregnant women appear to be at increased risk for certain manifestations of severe
illness. In the study cited by the ACG, pregnant women were shown to be at an increased risk for
ICU admissions and mechanical ventilation than non-pregnant individuals.
The Mayo Clinic (2020) states that information about whether pregnant women are at
greater risk from COVID-19 is unclear. In light of this, they recommend that pregnant women
avoid close contact with sick persons, limit visitors, communicate with family and friends via
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electronic means rather than in person, and maintain six feet of distance between themselves and
others when venturing beyond the household in order to prevent illness. Not much is known in
terms of the long-term effects of this virus for pregnant women or children. Because of the
uncertainty concerning its effects on children, childcare is currently an issue.
What about Childcare?
Knopf and Calarco (2020) state that social distancing has been one of the keys to curbing
the coronavirus, which has left many families struggling to balance work and childcare. McNeal
gave birth to Jaina one month before the pandemic hit. Because of the pandemic coupled with
her maternity leave, she did not even leave the house to allow Jaina to see family and limited
visitors. Although she is a nurse, McNeal is not considered an essential worker and therefore
never had to work from home. She and her spouse decided against daycare due to her odd work
hours and the pandemic. Instead, her husband quit his job so that McNeal could return to work
knowing that Jaina was well-cared for (McNeal & Aluise, 2020).
K. Ferguson (2021) is expecting her first child and states that she fully intends to send her
daughter to daycare. She and her husband are considered essential employees. When asked the
reason why she intended to send her daughter to daycare, she replied:
“I have to work, and she will attend the same daycare as my sister’s girls so I know she
will be well cared for. Her age group is also considered the least likely to contract and spread the
virus so I feel safe in sending her” (05:00).
K. Smith (2021) reported that neither her husband or herself are considered essential
employees. She decided to keep her daughters home, and the pandemic only made that decision
clearer for her. Although she is interested in sending her oldest daughter to preschool this coming
year, she is undecided in light of the pandemic.
S. Aluise, however, is an essential worker as is her spouse. Her husband is the manager of
Huntington Banks, and she is a financial advisor at Huntington Banks. When daycares and
offices were closed down in March, she was forced to work from home while simultaneously
caring for her three young children. After three weeks however, daycare was reopened as a
Critical Childcare facility to families that had dual essential employee parent households. This is
what S. Aluise (2020) had to say about those three weeks:
“For three weeks, we had to adjust. Week one, I watched the girls at home and worked 3
½ days. My husband watched the girls at home 1 ½ days. He had to use Paid Time Off days to
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do this. Week two, my mother-in-law watched the girls two days; my husband watched the girls
one day, and we had to hire daycare employees who were out of a job to watch the girls two
days. Week three, my mother-in-law watched the girls two days, and we paid daycare employees
for three days. The cost of those three weeks outweighed the cost of three weeks of full daycare”
(04:33).
I asked her (Aluise & Aluise, 2020) if her daughters were receptive to her having to work
from home to which she replied:
“No. When hiring help with childcare at home so I could work, I was still in the home
most days. My children knew I was in the home and would come find me. I was limited in what I
could do and where I could work. My job requires a lot of communication with clients,
colleagues, and partners, and I had to utilize naptime and maximize that time for phone calls. I
was able to go to my in-law’s house a day or two a week to work when I realized the girls were
not allowing me to work how I needed to” (06:02).
Like S. Aluise, Smith (Aluise & Smith, 2021) worked from home. When asked if she had
to work from home and whether her children were receptive to that, she responded:
“I had to work even harder at home, turning my garage into a workshop to fulfill orders while on
top of that constantly answering phone calls and emails for my business. My girls enjoyed me
not having to leave the house to go to the studio” (05:45).
I struggled with childcare as well. From the moment daycares closed down in March, I
was juggling my toddler daughter’s daycare schedule, working from home, and attempting to
complete coursework. Unlike S. Aluise, only my husband was considered an essential worker so
when daycare opened back up as a Critical Childcare facility, this did not apply to us. Even if I
could have sent her to daycare, I would not have because of my fear that she could potentially
contract the virus. My daughter has had RSV twice and has had frequent prescribed breathing
treatments due to colds and allergies. Since COVID-19 primarily affects the respiratory system, I
felt this placed my child at higher risk.
My daughter was not receptive to my working from home and would throw horrible
tantrums during online meetings with parents and colleagues. She would attempt to knock my
laptop off of my lap every time I would turn it on. At one point, she shredded an IEP I had in
front of me for a meeting and destroyed my zip drive containing all of my students’ files. I had to
apologize during every meeting due to her incessant, wailing protests. Luckily, both parents and
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colleagues were sympathetic. The quality of my work, both for my job and school, was suffering,
and I had much less compassion and patience towards my daughter which was not fair to her.
Neither of us asked to be in this situation, but it was our new reality. I had no choice but to rely
more on my mother and mother-in-law for help because things were becoming too much for me.
Knopf and Calarco (2020) examined specifically how the pandemic was affecting
mothers. Calarco stated, “With schools and daycares closed, the pandemic has caused
tremendous changes in mothers’ childcare responsibilities, which are taking a tremendous toll on
mothers’ relationships and wellbeing.” In their study, Knopf and Calarco (2020) found that some
mothers were spending more time with their kids because their partners are essential workers;
some lost their jobs or had their hours reduced, and others are simply having a hard time
negotiating a good balance of childcare with their spouse/partner while working at home.
I found that I was much more abrasive toward my spouse because I felt trapped at home
which was not fair to him. Since I was on mandated quarantine, he was the one to run all the
errands on top of going in to work every day as an essential employee. Yes, I was home with our
daughter and receiving the brunt of her bouts of negative behavior, but my husband had a lot on
his plate as well. It was difficult for us to balance our time. We just could not seem to find time
to spend as just us. It probably comes as no surprise that mothers during this pandemic feel that
they have less time for themselves.
Am I Selfish for Wanting Me-Time?
Less time for ourselves seems to be a common occurrence for mothers across the board.
This is touched on slightly in my first observation in which I noted I was disappointed that my
daughter woke up early from her nap which interfered with my plans for conducting the
observation (Aluise-A, 2020). I expressed concern that she might wake up early after hitting a
rough patch in my second observation as well (Aluise-B, 2020). In general, I often fight with
feelings of resentment toward my toddler which makes me feel so selfish. I feel like my personal
hygiene, ability to eat or sleep or do anything, mostly what I have to do rather than what I want
to do, revolves around her care. It makes me feel like a terrible human being to want to have time
for myself. As a mother, I’m still trying to come to terms that the new normal, especially
pandemic normal, means that I have next to no time for me. I find I am often short tempered and
impatient with my daughter and my spouse. I feel like the only semi-free time I have is my
daughter’s afternoon nap. Like S. Aluise, I utilize naptime in an effort to get things I need for my
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job, school, or general home/hygienic care completed. Downtime for myself, meaning sleep,
does not occur until after my daughter goes to bed for the night, and I have completed all the
night time cleaning from dinner. Depending on the time, I may get to take a shower. If it’s too
late, I have no choice, but to go straight to bed and hope that I do better tomorrow. McNeal, S.
Aluise, Ferguson, and Smith also expressed less time for themselves. McNeal (2020) stated:
“I definitely feel like I have less time for myself. Sometimes, it’s not necessarily a bad
thing, but sometimes it is. I do miss the time where I could spend to myself being able to have a
few moments of quiet or being able to read a good book” (12:20).
S. Aluise (2020) voiced:
“Oh, I have less (time). Absolutely less, but I don’t mind it, I enjoy being needed and helping the
girls as much as I can because I know I won’t always be able to or won’t always be wanted to
help. I try to cherish every age and absorb their joy and happiness” (10:46).
McNeal (2020) also stated:
“Sometimes it feels like you don’t have the relief that you get when you’re able to have family or
anybody come watch her (her referring to her child). It’s constantly that you’re around your
child. Sometimes you need that time away for yourself for your own mental health” (4:19).
Ferguson (2021) expressed:
“I feel like the days are never long enough to accomplish all that I need to do. I always catch
myself thinking “it will be there tomorrow.” If I could just stay motivated, I would get more
accomplished (10:45).
Smith (2021) affirmed:
“Less time. Owning your own small business is hard at times and takes up all your time and
takes time away from my kids which is hard. It’s hard taking time for myself” (11:00)
S. Aluise also said that she wakes up before her girls do in order to exercise in the
morning so she can dedicate her evenings to her family. To unwind, S. Aluise enjoys having a
glass of wine and relaxing on the front porch or by watching t.v. or reading a book (Aluise &
Aluise, 2020). Knopf and Calarco (2020) collected data on how mothers, such as my
interviewees and myself, were spending their time during the pandemic. 68 percent of mothers
with at least one child under the age of two reported to caring more for their children than before
the pandemic. A total of 80 percent of working moms prior to the pandemic reported spending
more time caring for their children compared to 45 percent of stay-at-home moms. Having less
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time for one’s self can be detrimental to a person’s mental health and is responsible for creating
feelings of guilt and depression.
Why do I feel so guilty?
I noted feeling guilty in second observation for not cleaning up around the house during
my daughter’s nap and for being “wimpy and whiney” (Aluise-B, 2020). However, the reasons
for my “guilty” feelings in my observation are nothing compared to the almost daily struggle
within myself. My biggest feelings of guilt and overall disappointment in myself stem from
losing my patience and exploding on my daughter.
I will confess to raising my voice which I instantly regret, and storming away from her
only to have her chase after me in tears or try to grab ahold of my hand only to shrug her away. It
makes me feel like a horrible mom saying that I sometimes lose my cool and have to get away
from my child at all costs in order to prevent myself from doing more things I’d regret. I feel
resentful to her sometimes because I feel like all of my time belongs to someone else-her a lot of
the time, my unborn child, housework, coursework, etc. When I reflect on my resentment, I feel
even more guilty and more of a monster. I was disappointed in my interviews that none of my
interviewees appeared to share the same reasons for feeling guilty as I did. Really, they all
seemed to have no feelings of guilt regarding their behavior to their children at all.
McNeal expressed guilt related to needing time for herself:
“I’ve definitely felt guilty in the past especially when it comes to being a new parent, just like
divvying out responsibilities and trying to justify different times when you might need a little bit
more time for yourself. It can be difficult balancing that with your spouse because you both do
need your own time. It can make you feel guilty when you give her over to someone else to
watch because you feel like you aren’t caring for your little one enough. Then again, those are
also things that can just come along with being a new parent” (14:49).
S. Aluise responded similarly in regards to guilt being a part of parenthood in general:
“Yes, I absolutely feel guilty, but I think that is inherent as a parent. I think being a working
Mom in and of itself is challenging and especially challenging since I work furthest from home”
(11:54). Ferguson, however, felt guilty regarding her household work and maintaining family
relationships.
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Ferguson stated:
“I feel like I am falling short as a wife, a sister, and as a daughter. I am always so tired and don’t
always complete my daily duties in my household. I barely stay in touch with my parents and
sisters. I need to make a point to go see them, but we are in a pandemic, and I always manage to
think of something that needs to be done at the house. It all boils down to me needing to make
time for my loved ones” (15:00).
Smith also expressed feelings of guilt, but for religious reasons:
“I feel like I have fallen short in multiple ways. The hardest for me was not being in church
during this pandemic because I want to protect my kids, but at the same time, it’s been the
hardest battle because I question if it’s truly the best decision. I want my kids in church and to
know Jesus, and I feel like no matter what I do, I’m falling short of teaching them that because I
am not able to be in church in person either” (16:45).
Jervis (2020) interviewed five parents who were also experts in child trauma and
education for his article examining how parenting during the pandemic is putting additional
stress on families and children. Jervis found that parents across the U. S. were grappling with
how best to balance their time being empathetic with their children during this crisis with
disciplining for bad behavior. With the U. S. death toll from coronavirus and unemployment
rising, stress is growing and as a result parents are yelling and spanking their children more. A
recent study by the University of Michigan found that out of 562 parents 61% reported shouting,
yelling, and screaming at their children at least once since secluding to their homes. 1 in 6
reported having spanked or slapped their children with 11% saying they had done so multiple
times (Jervis, 2020). It is one of my worst fears that my children will be traumatized by me in
some way and that when they grow up, will want nothing to do with me. These feelings of guilt
and anxiety seem to be further exacerbated by social distancing regulations.
What is your daily routine like during the pandemic?
During the pandemic, I did my best to follow my toddler daughter’s daycare routine. Her
teachers had been kind enough to give us a print out of their class schedule with everything from
meal times and outdoor play to art/music and naptime. I religiously followed her daycare
schedule at home while trying my best to squeeze in household chores such as laundry, cleaning,
and cooking, personal hygiene, coursework and virtual meetings/instruction for my job during
her naps and after she went to bed for the night. It was extremely difficult and very stressful. My
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husband handled all matters outside the home, but he would help with household duties or
getting our daughter ready for bed when he could. S. Aluise, although just as busy, reported a
well-balanced, split-duty routine.
S. Aluise (2020) stated:
“I have eight-hour work days that alternate between working late or working early. My husband
does the laundry, helps with dishes, and maintains the home and vehicles. I do the grocery
shopping, meal prep, cooking, and pay the pills. We split things 50/50 when it comes to our girls.
We both get them up in the mornings, change them, and brush their teeth and hair. We both feed
and clean up after mealtimes, and we both bathe them and do their bedtime routines” (8:11).
McNeal (2020) also reports split-duties with her spouse:
“My husband and I take turns with our daughter. On days when I’m off, we wake up in the
morning, and one of us will feed her and change her. One of us will play with her while the other
gets some cleaning done around the house or goes to the gym. Then, we’ll make lunch, play with
her for a little bit, feed and change her and get her down for a second nap. Once she’s down, we
figure out what to have for dinner that evening and do small things like laundry. After dinner, we
just relax with a movie and read her a book before bed. The days I’m working start off similar to
around dinner time, but then I go to work and come back at 7:00 in the morning” (10:27).
Unlike S. Aluise and McNeal, Smith (2021) does not share household or parenting duties
with her spouse. She states:
“I wake up at 7:00 am and feed our newborn. I get my girls up, feed them breakfast, make up the
bed, and get some morning chores done. Next, I start working on stuff for my business.
Afterwords, I make lunch for everyone and get back to work for my business before dinner while
in between folding clothes and trying to get house chores done. Then, I fix dinner for everyone
and after dinner, give all the girls a bath and then, it’s bed for the kids. I’m normally working
again or finishing up more house chores before I finally go to bed” (10:15).
Ferguson (2021) is expecting her first child so currently her routine revolves around
going to work, self-care and household chores, and taking care of her animals. She reports:
“I get up, get ready for work, and take the dogs out. When I’m at work, I submit patient cases to
insurance in order to obtain precertification for their bariatric procedure, coordinate with the
surgeon’s agenda to schedule patients for procedure once precertification is obtained, along with
providing patients with necessary information regarding their subsequent appointments. When I
Page | 14
come home, I let the dogs out, feed and water my chickens, and fix dinner. After dinner, I do
laundry, take a shower, take the dogs out again and then, go to bed” (11:15).
During Covid-19, do you leave your home at all or attend appointments?
Both of my observations and second interview were conducted inside my own home
since my doctor had told me she did not want me to go out for my safety and that of my unborn
child. Since the pandemic, I have been trapped at the house every day with my toddler with our
only outside time being an hour-long morning walk through the neighborhood and playing in the
driveway or backyard in the afternoon, weather permitting. I did take her to a grandparent’s
house on rare occasions when I needed to have quiet time for my job or to complete my more
strenuous coursework. I did, however, keep all of her and my doctors’ appointments and made
sure to follow all social distancing and safety guidelines while we were out and about. My first
interviewee has had a similar situation to mine in terms of self-imposed quarantine.
McNeal (2020) stated that she only takes her daughter for a walk in the neighborhood and
to her pediatric appointments. She said that the pediatric appointments for well-baby visits are
now across town and that she has to wait in the car, calling to tell them she’s there. When the
doctor’s office is ready for her, they call her to come inside.
My second interviewee, S. Aluise (2020), strictly observes social distancing regulations.
She states that all three of her girls go to daycare, but that other than that they do not go out in
public. She will take them on car rides to grandparents’ houses and to the community pool,
which has been limited to only a handful of guests at a time to maintain social distancing. She
also reports that she has pushed back or completely put off all doctor’s appointments in light of
the pandemic.
Smith (2021) confessed to being so afraid to go out that she only attended her OB/GYN
appointments and postponed the pediatric appointments of her two older girls. She has only
recently started allowing her other children to go to scheduled doctor’s appointments in light of
the birth of her youngest daughter in January. She also stated that they would occasionally go out
to eat but that they have stopped doing so because of COVID-19.
Ferguson (2021) stated:
“I avoid social gatherings and only go out to get groceries. I have become a real homebody; I am
afraid not to be. I am trying to take all safety precautions I can in order to stay healthy for me and
my baby. I constantly worry about contracting the virus and becoming ill and possibly harming
Page | 15
my unborn child” (30:00). When going to the dentist and my OB-GYN appointments, I have to
wear a mask and come alone. I have my temperature taken and go through a COVID screening
for each appointment. It is sad to say that I have become used to this, and it is becoming the new
normal” (Ferguson & Aluise, 2021). Social distancing and self-imposed isolation in general are
highly stressful to families and mothers in particular.
Why am I so stressed, isolated, and afraid?
Leffler (2020) states that the coronavirus is placing severe stress on mothers, especially
those who are expecting, increasing their risk of postpartum depression and other maternal
mental health illnesses. Leffler also mentions the new practice of hospitals separating newborns
from their mothers as a precautionary measure to protect the infant from potentially contracting
COVID-19 from the mother. Apparently, if a mother is suspected of coronavirus without
necessarily testing positive for it, the infant is placed into the care of a relative who has been
proven not to have it.
Upon reading Leffler’s article, I was terrified about the possibility of my youngest
daughter being taken from me at birth. In tears, I spoke with my OB-GYN about my fear, and
she told me that she was trying to ensure that was not going to happen. She told me that as long
as I followed her orders to remain in quarantine and follow all safety guidelines and restrictions
that I would be fine. Even with her reassurances, I was afraid. My husband still had to leave the
home to go to work and to get groceries. Although we disinfected every item brought into the
home and threw clothing in the washing machine every time, the question “what if” always hung
in the air like the proverbial albatross around one’s neck. We even went so far as to spray and
disinfect rooms we used during the day before going to bed for the night. There was always that
fear, that chance that we might slip up in some way and contract the virus.
Leffler (2020) interviewed a new mother, Andrea Root, who stated that “Giving birth is
already such an overwhelming process, but it’s heightened when you’re surrounded by doctors
equipped with face shields, when the nurses are wearing multiple masks and are scared to come
too close to you.” From the isolation that stems from shelter-in-place orders to the lack of
available help from friends and family members because of social distancing recommendations,
the ongoing pandemic has left moms on an island like never before (Leffler, 2020).
Page | 16
K. Smith (2021) spoke of being and feeling alone:

“We went through some scary things this last pregnancy. Every time I found out something was
or could’ve been wrong, I was always alone at my appointments. When I had follow up
appointments to get ‘for sure’ answers, I had to go alone with no one there should I receive bad
news. My husband was never able to attend an ultrasound. It was our last baby we were going to
have, and we didn’t get to enjoy the process like we did with our first. I always dreamed of what
it would be like to have our two older girls finally meet their sibling when she was first born. So
many things were different. It was so hard knowing this was our last baby, and we would never
get the first moments back like the way we used to” (6:00).
I felt very alone, the most alone I have ever felt in my life. During the height of the
pandemic, I was pregnant and ordered to quarantine by my doctor. I was by myself at home
every day with my toddler until my husband got off from work at 6:00pm. The only adult contact
I had daily was with my spouse and only for a few hours before bed. Although I was stressed and
isolated, I kept saying to myself that we were safe, and it would all be ok. Things would
eventually return to normal. My husband was running himself ragged because I was unable to
assist with anything outside the home due to the mandated quarantine from my doctor.
Once my youngest daughter was born, the “everything will be ok” mindset did not quite
cut it anymore. I dealt with a new sense of aloneness thanks to postpartum depression. That
coupled with the pandemic left me in a prolonged fight or flight response. Anything would set
me off. I would have multiple bouts of crying and hyperventilating panic attacks often while
trying to take care of a new baby. My husband tried, but he did not know what to do other than to
be there for me. I felt robbed of the joy of having and spending time with my baby. I was too
stressed with everything pandemic life entailed and if not for his persistent support, I do not
know how I would have been able to cope to make it through.
S. Aluise (2020) also reported feeling depressed:
“While it was nice to not have the pressure every day to get up and get ready and spend extra
time, it did get a bit depressing. When going from dressing in business clothes and full make up
every day to not putting on makeup or dress clothes kind of makes you feel like you’re losing
your purpose. A lot of my job is based on appearance. People don’t want to invest money with
me if I don’t look like I know what to do with money. It matters still and will when offices open
back up 100%. Being ready each day also helps with the mindset for the day and keeps me
Page | 17
focused. There was also a long period of time gyms were closed. After not having that available
for a couple of months, I’ve realized the importance of going for my physical and mental
wellbeing” (18:15).
Tate (2020) interviewed two sets of new parents for her article regarding the fact
pregnant women have been left feeling invisible due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Tate’s
interview with the Moormans, Mrs. Moorman had expressed joy in the early stages of her
pregnancy, but when COVID-19 hit in March, she lost her job which put her and her spouse in
unexpected financial straits. Moorman stated, “We don’t go anywhere or do anything; we never
see friends, and we spend very little time with family. This pregnancy has been filled with more
anxiety, fear, and isolation than ever imagined.”
Ferguson (2021) expressed fear and anxiety regarding the newly available vaccine:
“There is a vaccination out now for the virus, but the vaccine is so new there are not enough
studies that show it is safe for pregnant women or for breast-feeding mothers. I have friends and
family members who have babies who got the vaccine which is perfectly fine. For me, I am
afraid to take that risk. I just am not convinced it is completely safe. I already have a lot of
anxiety. This pandemic has just added to it” (31:25).
Even though I have been vaccinated, I find that I still worry about COVID-19. I am
uncomfortable in any situation where I see individuals not wearing masks or in quarters closer
than six feet. If I am on a walk or at the store with my daughters in tow, I find that I hold on to
them nearly white knuckled and as close as I can keep them, glaring at anyone who I feel is too
close. Needless to say, I do not go to the store with them often, it has only been when I have had
no choice. All gatherings with family have been split up into groups smaller than ten apiece and
friends have been kept smaller than that-approximately 6 people tops!
I am fortunate enough to be the mother of a very young child. Children, especially young
children, are resilient, and I am confident that most will bounce back without being negatively
affected by this pandemic. As a mom, I feel I have to be hypervigilant in regards to the health
and well-being of my family and that hypervigilance can become overwhelming. It can bring out
the worst in you. Being cooped up is trying on moms and children. There is nothing worse than
having your child scream at the top of their lungs in a full-blown tantrum when you are trying to
get work done-whether for your job or school.
Page | 18
You feel hopeless, angry, and stressed to the point of shaking. In that moment, you can
either explode yourself or take a few breaths and make the choice to address or ignore the
situation. If you give in and try to soothe your child, you don’t get to do the work you need to do,
but if you try to keep working, you get nothing accomplished because you can’t concentrate over
your child’s distress. It’s a catch 22. I have acted little better than my upset child when I allow
the feelings to build up inside me- being stressed, feeling anxious, and fatigued. It’s a vicious
cycle that just keeps repeating itself (Aluise-C, 2020).
Smith (2021) and her family contracted the virus. She stated:
“We ended up getting Covid. The thing I’m most worried about is how this will affect us long
term and whether we will be able to enjoy life again with our children like we used to” (30:25).
Fear and anxiety were expressed by S. Aluise (2020) who worries for society as a whole.
Hearing her testimony, I felt that it offered a more complete, all-encompassing view of stress and
anxiety as a mother during this pandemic. When asked what worried her the most and why, not
just for herself, but her family, she responded:
“I worry that the individuals who need to take this seriously and do their due diligence
that aren’t are the same people that will one day run our country. I worry about the selfishness
and lack of intelligence in our country’s leadership. Leaders should lead by example, and they
aren’t. COVID-19 is not a joke, and it is being taken too lightly by too many people…It’s very
selfish… I don’t trust the media outlets and information being provided. I don’t trust the number
of cases of COVID; I don’t believe they are accurate. I worry about the financial and economic
impact this will have long term for my children who will fit the bill for all these decisions being
made. I worry the impact this will have on the healthcare industry. Premiums and healthcare
costs are already high; after this, they will go up even higher along with the cost of living…We
could go into a recession. COVID is a universal virus. It does not matter what color you are or
what age. It will impact every human and how we react is crucial to the outcome. I worry about
my children’s future most. Chris, my husband, and I will teach them that they have to work hard
for what they want and that they can still dream and do whatever they set their hearts and minds
to. Most importantly though, we will teach them to be kind, help others, and know that morals
matter…Educationally, we will have to buckle down and do more in the homes. I worry about
the drug, alcohol, domestic, sexual, and child abuse occurring behind closed doors right now.
Unstable living situations and unstable families are getting hit the hardest. I worry about how
Page | 19
many children are getting abused because of family pressures…what I can counter all that worry
with is education for my children and teaching them by example how to treat others and how to
care…about themselves and each other. I do worry, but I’m sure people who lived through all the
wars both domestic and international worried too. I worry, but I know my family will be ok”
(19:35).
Results
The main findings of my research were that the five moms interviewed all experienced
feelings of isolation, stress and anxiety related to the pandemic. Only two mothers reported
issues with childcare related to lack of daycare, and all five admitted to restricted outings. Two
out of five mothers reported feeling depressed, and only one out of five mothers reported feeling
selfish for wanting more time to themselves. Although all five mothers expressed feelings of
guilt, only four of the five mothers felt guilty related to their families whereas one felt guilty for
lack of religious teaching.
From my research, I learned that although all mothers responded similarly in terms of
feeling isolated, stressed or anxious, that their responses differed regarding the other feelings of
selfishness, depression, and guilt. Their experiences also differed in regards to childcare, routine,
and outings. I found in general that mothers are dealing with life in the pandemic the best that
they can, making the best of a less than ideal situation. Although we as mothers are observing
social distancing and safety guidelines to the best of our ability, we are united in the knowledge
that we are not alone.
I found that I was surprised by my findings because I thought all of the mothers would
experience all of the emotions explored and that many of their responses would mirror each
other. It was a poor assumption on my part because as a teacher, we are taught that every student
learns and responds to instruction in different ways. This study demonstrated that the same is
true for mothers. Mothers are individuals who think and feel differently just as everyone else.
Like students respond differently to instruction, the mothers in my research responded differently
to the pandemic. My recommendation is that this study is revisited in the future and continued on
a larger scale with the interviewing of more mothers given the fact that the number interviewed
was small and the uncertainty as to the long-term effects of COVID-19 on mothers and their
families.
Page | 20
Conclusion
Interviewing other mothers, expecting, with children, or both, opened my eyes to how
others are dealing with and affected by this pandemic. Being a pregnant woman and mother
during the height of the pandemic, I felt circumstances were less than ideal either way you went
about it, not just with how I felt with my pregnancy, but the entire situation. It was a daily
occurrence for me to be horribly uncomfortable, experiencing several negative pregnancy
symptoms while trying to push through what needed to be done. Other mothers were also
battling with the day to day of the pandemic normal. Now, I am the mother of a strong-willed 2
½ year old and a 7-month-old which poses its own challenges, and the pandemic just complicates
things. Every day I worry about whether I will catch COVID-19 at work and bring it home to my
family or whether childcare will still be available tomorrow and if not, what will we do? COVID
-19 is a universal virus, affecting all individuals in some way. No one knows the long-terms
effects this will have on pregnant women and mothers, let alone our children and society as a
whole. For mothers in my situation, pregnant with young children, we are dealing with
motherhood in utero and post-partum and not always how we would prefer to. For mothers in
general, we battle stress, anxiety, and guilt. We feel exhausted physically, emotionally, and
mentally; isolated, and depressed. I have felt so angry and resentful towards my children and
then, felt like the worst parent on the planet for feeling that way. As void of hope or help as I and
many others feel, we need to take a step back and realize we are not alone in our given situations.
Although some of us may indeed have it better or worse, and we are physically separated from
one another, we are still united by our feelings and the knowledge that we are all in this together.
Page | 21
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University: Blackboard.
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The Effects of Covid-19 on Motherhood

K. Smith (2021) spoke of being and feeling alone:

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