Coronababy
Author and broadcaster Benjamin Law talks to his mother Jenny and sister Tammy before – and after – the birth of Tammy’s baby during Australia’s nation-wide lockdown.
BENJAMIN LAW: Earlier tonight, we got a WhatsApp message from Tammy, your daughter, my sister. What’s going on?
JENNY PHANG: She’s having a baby.
BENJAMIN LAW: I spoke to my sister a few days before this moment. So, this is your first pregnancy. It’s going to be your first baby. How are you feeling generally at the moment?
TAMMY LAW: I’m excited, but I’m also anxious, and also a bit sad and disappointed.
BENJAMIN LAW: The anxiety, what’s that about?
TAMMY LAW: I think the anxiety is a combination of things. I think it’s the unknown because of not knowing what labour will bring, as well as not knowing what the world is going to be like.
BENJAMIN LAW: Uh-huh (affirmative). What are you feeling sad and disappointed about?
TAMMY LAW: I think the sadness comes with the fact that, like, you guys in Sydney won’t be able to see baby. And also, like even Mum down the road, like she literally lives down the road, but she won’t be able to see baby for, we don’t know how long, I guess.
BENJAMIN LAW: You can’t have family members, even ones down the road, like Mum, in your personal space or helping out. So, what’s that been like not having that, compared to how this should have turned out?
TAMMY LAW: In some ways it’s kind of good. Because you can, like, focus on your newborn and, like, just your immediate family, like your husband,, without any distractions. But at the same time, I foresee that it will be difficult because of that lack of help as well., without any distractions. But at the same time, I foresee that it will be difficult because of that lack of help as well.
BENJAMIN LAW: And this is Tammy after she had her baby.
TAMMY LAW: His name’s Cohen, and he’s my little baby who I shot out of me on the eighth. And he is attached to my nip.
