In the course of this rough and anxious time, life must go on. Two of our dear teachers have delivered two beautiful children to our world. Johanna Marlet & Alejandro José. Along this great news, also came a challenge which was really difficult for both of them.
Below is an interview with the answers from our teachers who gave birth.
1.) How did you feel before delivering your baby?
Ms. Rudeke: Before delivering our baby, Alejandro José, I was so scared. Alejandro was to be born right during the first peak of the pandemic. I remember praying to God, ¨He had blessed us this far, please keep our baby safe!¨
Ms. Paulino: At first I thought that it would be over soon, but when I saw the news that there were more and more (Covid-19) cases every day I felt anxious and worried. I prayed and began looking for God’s peace and guidance during my process.
2.) What were your thoughts regarding the safety of your child when you heard about the pandemic?
Ms. Rudeke: I think our fears escalated within weeks of his arrival. Doctors’ appointments were canceled. Everything we had ordered for the baby was paused; our brothers, sisters and even parents were forbidden to come visit us… and I think that is when I really started panicking and turned on ‘mommy survival mode’. Basically, fear becomes so overwhelming, there is nothing to be done but trust in God and know that He has control of everything that happens, and so I found comfort in Him.
Ms. Paulino: First I started to look for clinics that had patients with covid-19 and what procedures they had to treat them. Then I asked my doctor about the protocol for pregnant women delivering babies in these scenarios. Then I read medical articles about delivering babies in the middle of a pandemic. I got more and more informed about everything.
3.) How was the process in the hospital, any struggles or fears?
Ms. Rudeke: So, our delivery was ‘planned’ except that it was nothing as we had expected. My most overwhelming experience was not knowing what to do with Victoria. We were blessed my brother and his wife had recently tested negative for the virus. So naturally, she stayed with them during our stay at the hospital. The hospital felt so lonely, no visits, even the nurses and doctors only came in when necessary. But then again, it was so peaceful and I was just so grateful I had Alejandro in my arms. God truly gave us our miracle.
Ms. Paulino: I was nervous at the hospital. I prayed but my doctor and the crew did a great job with me.
4.) What has been the hardest part of it for you?
Ms. Rudeke: I think the hardest part has been not to share our blessing with family and friends, at least not physically. Not to mention all the roles we have to keep up with. I cannot thank my sisters, and my friends who have become sisters, enough. They have been so supportive, even from afar. Without their love and encouragement (and yummy meals) it would not have been as easy.
Ms. Paulino: The hardest part was not being able to see my baby as soon as possible because of the security protocol. They gave her to me the next day before I got home.
5.) What is a message you would like to transmit to all pregnant moms that are going through this?
Ms. Rudeke: For the moms to be, my most comforting phrase, so simple but true, is this… ¨Be still, and know that He is God.¨ -Psalm 46:10. Every single detail in our lives has been designed by Him… so let us set our fears aside and allow our faith in Him to prevail.
Ms. Paulino: Pray. Get well informed. Talk to your doctor and ask anything you have in mind to him/her. Last but not least: Rest in the Lord with all your strength.
My takeaway as I was able to write this fascinating story was that it doesn’t matter how impossible and hard things may look, you need to have trust not only in that everything is going to be all right but also that God has control of the situation, pray to Him and everything will be fine. This is one of the many examples that life is a blessing and as some may say, a miracle. Once again I thank my two teachers for letting me write their story and for touching my heart as well.
Maria Jose Caminero Guerra
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