The daytime community is sending gobs of love to soap opera star Elizabeth Hendrickson (Chloe Mitchell, The Young and the Restless; ex-Margaux Dawson, General Hospital; ex-Frankie/Maggie Stone, All My Children), who just welcomed her first child into the world during a scary time in which the coronavirus pandemic is affecting hospital protocols and limiting family visitors. She and her husband, Rob Meder, have announced that they had a baby girl on Friday morning who they named Josephine James.
The actress took to Instagram with the exciting news, sharing, "We did it! We are now officially 3! Today we welcomed Josephine James into the world at 9:22am. 6lbs 11 ounces and 20 inches long. It was the most incredible birth thanks to my amazing midwife Didi and all of the nurses at UCLA Santa Monica. We couldn't be more thankful for all of their hard work during a time like this. Rob is home resting, since he is not allowed to be with me postpartum. Hope you're getting a good nights sleep babe bc it's your last for a while."
She continues, "I'm with my sweet girl for 24 hours and I just can't stop looking at her. Thank you to everyone for your love and support... I've read all of your comments and I feel stronger than ever."
Hendrickson also spoke with People and told the outlet, "When dreaming about the birth of your first child, words like 'social distancing' and 'shelter in place' never seem to enter into the picture. Yet here we were. Over the past month we simply focused on the things that we could control and we reminded ourselves how lucky we were and stayed positive."
The couple also sent their thanks to "all the nurses, the midwives, and all the staff at UCLA Santa Monica who are at work, putting themselves at risk to be there for us when we need them most. They truly are lifesavers."
Prior to giving birth, Hendrickson had shared a photo of her baby nursery along with the reveal that, given the uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 crisis, she and Meder decided to induce labor early.
"We felt it was safest to get her here safely before Rob wasn't allowed in the delivery room like they're doing in San Fran and NY," she wrote. "20 mins before we walked into the hospital the midwives were notified that after delivery only the mother is allowed with the baby postpartum. Rob has to leave. We are heartbroken but we also feel like I'm in incredible hands. My midwife Didi is a dream and my nurse Andra is so awesome! I know i will be well supported by everyone in the maternity ward."
She continued, "My heart goes out to all of the mamas that are faced with being separated from their partners during delivery right now. I really can't imagine doing this alone. I brought my ukulele to keep myself busy, music is playing, my lavender diffuser is brewing and I'm just keeping my eye on the prize. A gorgeous baby girl to be in our arms as safely and quickly as possible."
Hendrickson had previously revealed that her journey to getting pregnant hadn't been easy, either, so the fact that she had a safe delivery in the middle of this global crisis is extra special!
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