Happy Mother’s Day: Hamilton couple welcomes second set of twins during COVID-19

Weddings, concerts and vacations can be replanned, rebooked or outright cancelled.

But Brittany Garrard-Amos's second pregnancy can't be rejigged to a better time free from COVID-19.

These babies won't wait for a vaccine to be found or social distancing rules to be relaxed," said Garrard-Amos. They're coming in a few weeks, regardless of the state of our world, and it's just something I've had to accept."

Last fall, Garrard-Amos and her husband Tim Amos got news they described as the shock" of their lives.

They were expecting twins - again - joining their three-year-old duo Isla and Asher.

Having an idea of what was in store, Garrard-Amos said the couple began recruiting" help to make sure they could survive the early months of four under the age of four.

A certain friend was set to bring meals, while another would take the toddlers at least one day a week to give them a break. Then in the summer, Amos' parents would fly in from out of province for a visit.

But, the coronavirus pandemic changed all of that. The couple's game plan was shattered.

Social distancing measures aimed to quell the spread of the virus meant families and friends couldn't visit, and non-essential travel was put on hold.

As of Friday, 483 cases of the virus had been confirmed in Hamilton, with five probable cases under investigation. Twenty-three people have died.

It made it hard to swallow, this was already going to be a really hard time," said Garrard-Amos. But now, no one is able to help us."

Prenatal impact

Garrard-Amos said the pandemic changed the face of her already high-risk pregnancy early on.

The babies are due June 1. But working as a recreational therapist in long-term care, she went on maternity leave early to mitigate risk, putting both an emotional and financial strain on the family.

Garrard-Amos has not been unable to go to her osteopath for a prenatal massage and safely shop for essentials to prepare for the twin's arrival. Family members have had to do most of the shopping for her.

She's also missed the emotional aspects of pregnancy, like friends and family being able to feel the babies move.

That affected me more than I thought it would," said Garrard-Amos. COVID-19 changed all that."

But, what worries Garrard-Amos the most, is what the twins' birth will look like and if her husband will be by her side during her Caesarean section.

When she gave birth three years ago at St. Joseph's Hospital, there were complications that landed her daughter Isla in McMaster Children's Hospital. This time around, she was hoping for a bit of normalcy."

That's definitely hard to process," said Garrard-Amos. I'm scared of delivering."

Being under the care of Dr. Susan Ellis, chief of obstetrics and gynecology at St. Joe's, has made a difference - even from behind a full ensemble of personal protective equipment.

The amount of care and compassion she's had for her patients under the pandemic has been amazing," said Garrard-Amos. That doctor, she is incredible. I have nothing but praise to sing."

Glass half full

Even with their original plans seemingly off the table, Garrard-Amos said they have been managing to remain positive.

When the twins are older, she said she wants to be able to tell them a story of hope" and resilience" that shows how strong their family was through a trying time. That strength comes in part from Garrard-Amos' mother Debbie, who will move in with the family once she self-isolates after the birth, she added.

I was raised by a very strong woman," she said. My mom was an amazing example for me."

Garrard-Amos said without distractions of social gatherings and commitments, the family is choosing joy" in all the time they'll have together as a family. They'll be able to enjoy the antics of toddlerhood" and get to know the babies without the pull of everyday life, she added.

The soon-to-be mother of four said even with all the crap" and sad things" that comes with the pandemic, she is looking at a glass half full, not empty.

She has done it - raising twins - once before. This time it will just look a little" different.

I'm not going to let a pandemic steal the immense joy of welcoming two new babies into our family," said Garrard-Amos. COVID-19 won't have the final word on that, (the virus) can't take that away from our family."

Fallon Hewitt is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: fhewitt@thespec.com