This archive report was first published on 6 May 2020.
On a day that would change her life forever, Poonam Sharma Mathis, a 37-week pregnant woman, prepared to deliver her baby girl, Asha, via C-section at Cornell Hospital in New York. It was a time when the COVID-19 pandemic was spreading rapidly, and hospitals were taking unprecedented measures to protect patients and staff.
As Poonam was wheeled into the operating room, she was accompanied by her husband, Kris Mathis, who was one of the first spouses allowed into the hospital. He was dressed in a hazmat suit, a sight that would become all too familiar in the days to come.
With contractions just 15 minutes apart, Poonam was anxious to meet her baby. But the atmosphere in the hospital was tense, with medical staff scrambling to keep up with the demands of the pandemic. Poonam's experience was a far cry from her first birth, which had been a relatively straightforward affair.
After the birth, Poonam was separated from her baby, Asha, due to the risk of transmission. She was forced to say goodbye to her newborn, a moment that would stay with her forever. The couple's 4-year-old son, Pierce, was also affected, as Poonam was unable to interact with him due to her coronavirus status.
As Poonam reflected on her experience, she spoke of the trauma of giving birth in a hospital during a pandemic. She described the pain and discomfort of a C-section, and the feeling of being alone and vulnerable. Despite the challenges, Poonam was grateful to have a healthy baby, and she looked forward to the day when she could finally hold Asha in her arms.
