‘Stay strong and be prepared to face whatever it takes’

My delivery date was September 14. But due to some complications, on August 26, my gynaecologist advised me for C-section within 2-3 days and to get the Covid-19 test done as early as possible. Unfortunately, my Covid-19 test was positive.
In a single day, we did three antigen tests from three different labs as per my gynaecologist’s advice. At the end of the day, we had two positive and one negative test result. We waited for the RT-PCR result, which was also positive. We started to search for private hospitals which were operating Covid-19 positive pregnancies, as we didn’t want to take any further risks with government hospitals as I was asymptomatic.
Finally, we found a private hospital where I was the first Covid-19 positive patient who would be undergoing C-section. Now, there was a whole new team of doctors, who were unaware of what all complications could happen with a Covid-19 patient during surgery, and I really had no clue how it will work. I was just praying to god for my baby’s safety. I gave birth to a baby boy on August 29.
It was the most precious moment we both had waited for and everything just went for a toss. I was the one who called Saurabh (my husband) and my mother-in-law just after shifting to the Covid-19 ward in semi-conscious state, that it’s a baby boy. The hospital staff didn’t even bother to inform my family members.
My son was kept in NICU under observation. By god’s grace, he tested negative. I was kept in Covid-19 ward. The hospital was terribly understaffed with worst management. And I was all alone, lying helplessly after the delivery with no family members around.
Those were the most difficult days as I had to manage everything on my own with the stitches. I hadn’t even seen my baby for 4 days. It was the most difficult time for all of us, especially Saurabh, as he couldn’t meet or see both of us; me and our baby. He would spend the whole day just sitting in the waiting area.
We were both discharged on the 5th day. I was home quarantined for 10 more days. I could only see my baby from a distance.
To all the would-be mothers out there, in this difficult time we all are taking necessary precautions, but considering the worst, stay strong and be prepared to face whatever it takes. Motherhood is a pure blessing and it gives all the strength to you. I feel really fortunate to have such a wonderful family who stood strong by my side and gave me courage to face everything.