‘The maternity ward was strange ...It was just mothers and babies’
A Newtownmountkennedy mother has made national headlines for the second time after giving birth to at the National Maternity Hospital in Holles Street during the enforcement of Covid-19 restrictions.
Natasha Philpott’s oldest child Emily was the fist baby born in Holles Street in 2019, just 27 seconds into the New Year. Neither Natasha, nor her husband Alan, could have predicted that the birth of their second child, Paige, would also occur in dramatic fashion.
A fit and healthy Paige was born this week but under very different circumstances to her big sister.
‘It’s the quietest I have ever seen Holles Street,’ said Natasha.
‘You can’t have your husband or partner in with you until the actual delivery, and then they have to leave straight after. You also aren’t allowed any visitors after the birth. Alan dropped me off at the door with my bags so he could look after Emily because we didn’t want my parents minding her considering the Covid-19 restrictions. We didn’t want to be putting anyone at risk if they had to mind her. It was certainly a lot different to Emily’s birth.’
Natasha and new-born Paige spent three days resting in the maternity ward, where no visitors were allowed. However, the mum-of-two was able to communicate with family through video chats.
According to Natasha: ‘ The maternity ward was strange. It was so quiet when usually it is full of families and full of hustle and bustle, but there was none of that. It was a big change. There were only four other women there. It was just mothers and babies - no family members or close friends. It was surreal but we all became friends. We all stuck together and everyone was video chatting so family members who couldn’t visit could see the babies for the first time.’
While Natasha was understandably anxious about giving birth in the middle of the coronavirus crisis, she can’t speak highly enough of the Holles Street staff and the efforts made to reassure and comfort everyone.
‘I was put on edge definitely, especially when you heard how contagious the virus is. But the staff were all amazing and totally put my mind at ease. The nurses and doctors knew everyone was on edge and really helped ease any concerns. Anything you needed, they were there for you. They are very much on the front-line of things and they were brilliant.’
The usual celebrations involving a newborn have been put on hold while restrictions remains in place. Alan met Paige for the first time when she and Natasha were released from hospital, while their family members, such as Natasha’s parents, await for their first opportunity to meet Paige in person and hold her.
‘I live nearby so I was able to bring Paige around so my parents could see her through the window. It was actually very sad. They haven’t held her yet, which is very tough on them. Mum was really tearful,’ said Natasha.
Now Paige is back home with her parents and sister Emily, and Natasha insists that both dramatic births weren’t calculated.
She joked: ‘ They were both very memorable births but I promise you that wasn’t intentional.’