Staff a comfort to new mums (and dads too)

THE first scan when you are expecting a baby is an exciting and precious time, when the support of your partner can be vital.

For first-time mum Laura, COVID-19 restrictions meant that she had to go it alone but she says the staff were amazing and couldn’t have been more helpful or understanding.

“I was really nervous going to the hospital, and you don’t know what to expect, but from the second I got there, they made me feel so relaxed,” she says. “The midwife came out to the car to ask the initial questions, which really put me at ease, and when we went up to the scan area, all the seats were 2m apart and we were all there for our first scans, so it was lovely to hear from the other women in the same boat.”

She said she was very sad her partner couldn’t be there, but understands completely, and the nurses gave her a little surprise!

“The baby was very active, so they took a little video on my phone, and it was so emotional -I was able to show it to my partner later,” adds Laura. “I’m really close to my mum and I haven’t been able to see her throughout this, and the nurses and staff couldn’t have been more understanding.”

Home with her new arrival, Nicola’s baby is just over a week old, and she was surprised at what a ‘ normal’ birth she had!

“It was a really lovely experience and I was so well looked after; it really wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be,” she says with a laugh. “My partner was in for the birth which I didn’t think would happen, and they gave us much time together as they could.”

Getting used to their new world together at home, she says she couldn’t have asked for more from the hospital.

“They are under so much pressure but were just brilliant, and very supportive to me and my partner,” she explains. “I missed seeing my other relatives straight after she was born, but I must admit, it was nice to be able to rest instead in the afternoons!”

Deirdre Healy is a nursing manager on the Labour Ward, and says it’s as busy as ever.

“Real life isn’t stopping because of this, and even though lots has changed, we’re trying to keep things feeling as normal as possible.” says Deirdre, who is from Dunshaughlin and has worked in the Lourdes for 19 years. “We had a good few babies overnight, and yes it can be very hard to maintain social distancing as it is such an intimate setting, but we are doing everything we can to protect everyone, including staff, so it has been hard to restrict Dads but they are all understanding.”

A new service will be launched in the coming days, which has been in the pipeline and hastened due to the current situation. “A community midwife will now be able to make home visits and this will make a huge difference,” she adds.