The coronavirus pandemic continues to impact how so many of us work. That's especially true in health care, but even more so for some in the industry.
Jordan Broussard is a Clinical Nurse Manager at Our Lady of Lourdes Women's & Children's Hospital in Lafayette. She does mostly desk work, but with so much uncertainty she's doing her best to make sure she and her unborn child are safe.
"Being pregnant I know my immune system is a little bit compromised," Broussard said. During a time of uncertainty, Broussard along with her employer are taking precautions and following CDC guidelines.
"There was anxiety, because this is all very new to us," Broussard said. "There wasn't a lot of information on how it will affect pregnant women. There was some anxiety, but I put all my trust into senior management."
She added,"everyone is being offered a mask to wear at all times. When we get into work we get screened. They check our temperatures and ask us questions."
While this isn't her first pregnancy, she says the moments leading up to birth are looking much different than before. She now goes to fewer doctor appointments. "In my first pregnancy, I saw the doctor very frequently," Broussard said. "This time I've only seen the doctor once at 12 weeks. I won't see them again until I'm 20 weeks."
She added, "there is some anxiety because you're used of going to the doctor every 4 weeks. Now it's only if you absolutely have to go. Even when you can go, your spouse is not allowed to come in with you. They have to stay in the car, but I know it's very necessary."
For now, she's sharing photos and videos as much as she can with her loved-one's. She's due in September and hoping to regain a sense of normalcy by then.
"I hope so much that this is past us and whenever I'm in the hospital everyone who wants to be with me can come," Broussard said. "I can let my children come see their baby sister or brother and that's really what I hope."
According to the CDC, it's unknown if pregnant women have a greater chance of getting sick from covid-19 than the general public. Also, research shows pregnant women have had a higher risk of severe illness when infected with viruses similar to covid-19. Mother-to-child transmission of coronavirus during pregnancy is unlikely. However, a new-born is at risk from person to person spread.
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