Grandparents still waiting to hold newborn

AN Omagh mother has described her experience of giving birth during the Covid-19 restriction as ‘scary’ and completely different from the birth of her first child.

Sarah Hamilton gave birth to baby Jay Hamilton on March 18, just as the strict measures were being introduced.

Luckily, Sarah’s husband Warren was allowed in for the birth of their son, but was not allowed into the hospital on the days following the birth.

Sarah is a mother of two boys – baby Jay and two and a half year old Lewis, and her experience of the two births were extremely different due to coronavirus. She said, “It was a very scary time and completely different to my first child.

“We had Jay on the Wednesday, and partners were still allowed in that day.

“It was the next day that the partners had to leave. On the Thursday, partners were only allowed in for the last 15 minutes of the labour and the first 15 minutes after the birth.

“On the Friday, partners weren’t allowed in at all.

“Thankfully we weren’t as bad as other people but it was still very scary seeing everyone in masks and aprons.

“I was on my own on the second and third day and I was distraught at the start because it is not something we had prepared for or had been given a warning about.

“I quickly realised that everyone is in the same boat and there were mothers around me who were worse off, because at least I did have Warren there for the birth.”

Sarah praised the midwives and the nurses who were on call to help the mothers and the newborns, but said many mothers were unaware that the restrictions were being put in place.

“There were a lot protocols but the nurses were fantastic. They were as distraught as the mothers were. These restrictions were so new and just introduced, mothers weren’t aware they were going to be on her own. There was no warning given beforehand so that was a shock for everyone too.”

Sarah says that after-care for the baby has also changed due to the Covid-19 restrictions compared to her experience with her first child.

“The community nurses don’t like coming out at the minute because of the outbreak, so they are trying to get as many mothers to come into the hospital.

“We did go in for our visit but you don’t get into the midwives until they check you out and do an assessment.

“They were saying a lot of mothers are refusing to come in and get their babies checked over but I think it is important to get your baby checked out after birth.

“It was scary going in but you just have take all the proper precautions and follow their advice.”

Baby Jay has settled in well at home, but unfortunately has not yet met any of his family.

Sarah continued, “Jay is doing really well, he’s a brilliant baby.

“His grandparents haven’t even met him properly – they’ve just seen him through a window and it is heartbreaking.

“The house is a lot quieter. I would love my mother to be able to come out but we have to protect everyone.

“God knows when all of our family and friends will get to meet him but as long as everyone is safe and well – that’s the most important thing,” concluded Sarah.

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