Help Danny heal from COVID-19 while pregnant!

This morning at my OB apt, the receptionist asked if I had been tested for COVID-19 in the past or been in contact with anyone who has tested positive.

I stood in front of her, five months pregnant, and said out loud, “I had COVID-19 in March, while one month pregnant. I’ve tested negative twice since then.” I could tell she wasn’t expecting my answer as her head shot up to look me directly in my eyes. At the same time, I noticed the two receptionist near her also look directly my way.


So there I was, checking in for my OB apt as a pregnant trans man and all eyes were on me, when I simply wanted to blend in. But sometimes, the universe decides when I’m able to blend, and when I need to be seen. I'm struggling friends, and need to be seen. 

As I could feel my breathing begin to quicken and my body temperature rise, she asked me “how long were you sick for?” 

How long was I sick for? Then I felt the tears begin to swell as it hit me.

I’m still sick. I’m no longer contagious or bedridden due to being unable to breath, but I’m still sick, in fact, it’s why I’m at the doctor today, because it’s getting harder and harder to breath.

I’m four months post onset of symptoms from having COVID-19 and my shortness of breath and reduced lung capacity restricts me from doing any type of physical activity, including work. As a healthy, thirty-three year old with no preexisting conditions, I have to carry a rescue inhaler with me everywhere I go because sometimes, I just can’t catch my breath.

I’m four months post onset of symptoms and I’m five months pregnant. My baby survived me having COVID-19 in their first month of gestation, and without me knowing I was pregnant yet. So far my baby is healthy and in the 58th percentile for growth at 22 weeks. There is little known around how having COVID-19 in the early weeks of pregnancy can effect the fetus short or long term, but right now, my baby is healthy.

But I’m still sick. The combination of reduced lung capacity from having COVID-19 and my lungs getting squished by the growth of the baby, which is a normal pregnancy symptom, amplifies my breathing difficulties each day the baby gets bigger. If it continues at this rate, I anticipate I will be on strict bed rest before this baby comes. In addition, I no longer have the antibodies for the virus, which means I’m at high risk for contracting it again. In addition, I've been sent to a pulmonary specialist to help address my persisting breathing problems and monitor me more closely.

But as I stood there and answered the receptionist, the reality of the situation hit me. I’m still sick, but both me and my baby survived me having COVID-19 and as each day grows more difficult, we grow even more stronger. Right now, that strength looks like asking for help.

Today I turn thirty-four years old, six months sober, five months pregnant and four months into my recovery from COVID-19. This isn’t what I thought my path to becoming a parent would look like. COVID-19 has taken my health, my horse (due to my inability to financially support him) and my financial fitness. And I’m scared. I’m scared because I don’t know how I’m going to get through the last four months of my pregnancy as a single person struggling to recover from COVID-19.

I’m asking my community for help. Your contributions will go towards helping me pay my bills ($2950/mo) for the duration of my pregnancy. The financial stress and fear around having COVID-19 while pregnant has become overwhelming. I’m out of spoons and I'm struggling. Your help is so deeply appreciated, even a simple  share or word of encouragement means the world.

And please, wear a mask. If not for you, for me and my unborn baby. ️