The Big Bang Theory star Melissa Rauch has welcomed a baby boy with husband Winston Rauch.
Announcing the happy news on social media on Monday the 39-year-old actress paid tribute to medical staff working on the front lines in hospitals, while also describing the ‘surreal’ experience of giving birth alone in hospital because of coronavirus restrictions.
On Instagram, Melissa, 39, wrote: ‘I am incredibly thankful and overjoyed to announce the birth of our son, Brooks Rauch, who we just welcomed into the world and directly into our hearts.
No support: Melissa Rauch has welcomed a baby boy with husband Winston and has described her experience giving birth alone amid the coronavirus pandemic
‘His arrival was made possible, in no small part, by the front line heroes – the nurses and doctors who show up each day to make sure that life keeps marching forward, regardless of the circumstances.
‘Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have this baby boy join our family, but to say that it is a surreal time to be bringing life into the world is an understatement.
‘Given that, I wanted to share some thoughts with other expectant mothers or “Pandemamamas” – as I like to call us – who are navigating these uncharted waters.
‘As I’ve previously shared, I am no stranger to loss on the road to motherhood – so to those dealing with infertility or grieving a loss, please know you are in my heart and I’m sending you so much love’
Melissa directed her followers to her piece for Glamour which documents her birth experience after being forced to give birth in hospital without her husband by her side.
‘All I wanted was someone holding my hand, and by my side, ‘ she wrote.
Second child: The actress announced the arrival of her son on Instagram on Monday and wrote a blog post about her experience not having a support partner with her
‘Although the hospital I was delivering at did allow birth partners, my husband had to stay home with our daughter since our original plan of having family come to town—as well as our back-up plans—were no longer options due to COVID-19.’
Melissa described her fears in the weeks leading up to the birth of her second child.
‘The anxiety over giving birth without an advocate and support system in tow, compounded with the exposure concerns of walking into a hospital during a pandemic, were a lot to process.
‘So, I tried my best to prepare for a scenario I never thought I’d face: Filling my hospital bag with disinfecting wipes and practicing labor breathing in a mask like I was training for a dystopian marathon.’
Melissa’s husband Winston was not able to come to hospital because he had to stay home with the couple’s daughter Sadie. Their plans to have family look after Sadie fell through because of coronavirus. The family are pictured June 2019
Melissa explained that her anxiety was compounded all the more because she’s previously experienced pregnancy losses.
But she found comfort in knowing that her baby would be with her through the journey.
‘I found comfort in the idea that this would be our first adventure together. So, I tried my best to hold on to that as I said goodbyes to my husband and daughter and walked myself into the hospital, masked up, clumsily balancing my bags and birthing ball like I was doing a knocked up Mr. Bean bit.’
Melissa admitted that it was tough dealing with the throes of labor by herself but felt safe and secure and revealed that Winston got to see the birth on FaceTime.
Familiar face: Melissa played Bernadette on The Big Bang Theory from season 3 to the final season 12
‘I’d be lying if I said there weren’t times during the intensity of labor that I craved the comfort of my husband being there with me physically. I don’t want to sugar coat it, it’s an inherently difficult situation and there were moments I felt every feeling in the book of feelings—so much so that my feelings were having major feelings.
‘No pandemic, or fear of being alone, or anger over not having a partner there to bitchslap through the whole hellish gauntlet of labor gets airtime. I had a job to do. The nurses, doctor, and my husband (who joined on FaceTime to see the birth of our son), ultimately made me feel safe and protected.’
Melissa played Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz in The Big Bang Theory from season 3 up until the final season 12 which aired last year.
She welcomed daughter Sadie in December 2017 after previously suffering a miscarriage.
The New Jersey born actress welcomed daughter Sadie in December 2017 after previously suffering a miscarriage which she said led her to suffering a ‘primal depression’
Melissa admitted her miscarriage led to her feeling a ‘primal depression’, and she was reluctant to announce her first pregnancy because she was worried about upsetting other women who are struggling with fertility issues.
She explained in a Glamour blog: ‘When I thought about having to share the news about expecting this baby, all I could think about was another woman mourning over her loss as I did, worried she would never get pregnant again, and reading about my little bundle on the way. It felt a bit disingenuous to not also share the struggle it took for me to get here.
‘The miscarriage I experienced was one of the most profound sorrows I have ever felt in my life. It kickstarted a primal depression that lingered in me. (sic)’