It’s the pharmacy family ... 5 mums, 5 babies at one hospital unit
Support: Sajitha Chacko and Ezekiel
FIVE women from the same hospital department have been nicknamed the ‘pharmacy family’ after they all had babies during the pandemic. Cara Medd, Marianne Eve, Amy Souter, Christine Hadley and Sajitha Chacko, from Ipswich Hospital gave birth within the space of six months. The colleagues and their babies have been unable to get together because of lockdown but have managed to keep in contact and swap tips over social media. First was Christine Hadley, 29, who welcomed her daughter Charlotte on June 2. The first-time mother, a pharmacist at the hospital for six years, said: ‘It was so exciting that my colleagues were also welcoming children. We all catch up over WhatsApp and have been there to support each other.’ Next was Amy Souter, 34, who had her first child, Henry, on August 25. The community pharmacy technician said having the other mothers’ support had been a ‘blessing’. Sajitha Chacko, 28, a pharmacist for five years, had her second son Ezekiel, on September
Fourth: Marianne Eve and Manon
22. She said: ‘It’s been great to share our experiences and our pharmacy family is so supportive. I’m looking forward to a baby playdate as soon as it is safe.’
Next up was a girl, Manon Sperling-Eve, born on October 3 to Marianne Eve, 31, a medicines information pharmacist who has been at the hospital for seven years.
Last to give birth was Cara Medd, whose daughter Romee Waller arrived on Bonfire Night. The ward-based dispensing manager since 2014 said Romee ‘completes the family’ and she can’t wait to introduce her to her colleagues. The pharmacy has 120 full-time and 22 part-time staff.