Expecting? Here's what to expect
You see the pictures everywhere -- grandparents meeting their newborn grandchildren from outside the hospital.
It's one of many changes expectant parents are experiencing because of coronavirus.
5 On Your Side's Monica Laliberte talked with first-time parents who just went through it at UNC's Rex Hospital.
Stephanie and Kyle Jones say don't worry, all of the changes were fine.
Besides no visitors, another big change involves the person who's there with mom.
"Once you enter the hospital, you can't leave," said Stephanie Jones.
Only one person allowed in, and they must stay the whole time.
"To reduce the limit of exposure of the person going out into the community and then getting exposed and bringing that back in," explained April Lalumiere. She's the clinical director of the UNC REX Women's Center.
She says the restrictions have a surprise bonus.
"Immediately after delivery, nobody's busting into the room to meet the baby. The patient really gets a lot more time to focus on rest, healing and breastfeeding."
For the Joneses, a health concern kept them in their 200-square-foot room for nearly a week.
"We were good until about day six," said Stephanie Jones. "And then, then the walks started increasing," she said laughing.
Her husband, Kyle, said he started to get a little cabin fever. "Obviously with the baby, there's always something to do."
Most new moms now stay for just 24 hours after delivery, two to three days after a c-section.
And everyone now wears a mask.
"It was funny because later on you might see the picture on their badge and you're like, is that you? I can't tell if it is, we only see this much of their face," she said showing her eyes.
Overall, she says don't worry.
"You get great standard of care. There's not the interruptions, and you're kind of the sole focus of your nurses."
No matter how they arrive, whether in-person cuddles or waves from below, the ultimate reward is still just as sweet.
Another thing for new parents to consider, family and friends meeting your new baby, in person.
The Joneses consider that a risk management decision, opting for safety first.
