We feel lucky Rian was born at the start of lockdown
IN THE SECOND OF A NEW SERIES WE TALK TO THE MOTHERS (AND FATHERS) OF BABIES BORN DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
AN AUGHRIM mum described the ‘unusual’ experience of giving birth during lockdown.
Ciara Finuncane gave birth to her son Rian in Holles Street Hospital on March 23, but her family didn’t get to meet the new baby until May 18.
‘Our three-year old, Oisin, was born in Sydney and we didn’t know what to expect from an Irish hospital as we had nothing to compare it to.’ Ciara said.
‘ The staff were amazing. They offered support if you needed any help. In some ways, it was lucky that Rian was born at the beginning of lockdown. There weren’t so many cases and the hospital was still preparing’.
Dad Donald was present during Ciara’s labour, but had to leave once mum and baby were moved to the post-natal ward.
‘It was an unusual time, but it was great to have my husband present during labour. It was really sad to say goodbye once we moved to the post-natal ward’.
The ward had been reconfigured to allow for social distancing between new mums, and Ciara said this meant mums were ‘not really talking to one another because no one knew what this was at that stage’.
The new rules also meant that no visitors were allowed. Plans for friends, based in Dublin, to see Rian during their time in the maternity hospital had to be put on hold.
Despite this, Ciara said the quiet provided space for mother-baby bonding.
Ciara and Rian were discharged from Holles Street after two nights. It was only at this point that big brother, Oisin, had the chance to meet his little brother.
‘We had been hoping to bring him in so he could meet his new brother and then we’d all travel home together in the car. However, lockdown did come at a good time for us as it gave us all time to get used to becoming a new family unit. We didn’t have to worry about tidying the house because visitors were calling.’
While Ciara’s parents live nearby, they were cocooning which meant they didn’t meet the infant until May. Instead, a drive-by visit took place which allowed Ciara’s parents and siblings to see Rian. Zoom video calls and photos helped the family to keep in touch during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Unfortunately, restrictions have meant that Donald’s parents, who live in County Kerry, have yet to meet the infant in person, but Ciara said they are hoping to visit in the coming weeks.
‘My family didn’t get to meet my baby boy until May 18 when four people could meet outside the home with social distancing in place. We were all sitting outside, but Rian had grown out of the newborn stage.’
The first meeting was ‘ lovely’, Ciara said.
‘It was so nice to be able to talk face to face, but not being able to hug was hard.
It was tough, but lovely to share the baby with them.’
Now five months old, Ciara said Rian is ‘easy going’ and thriving.
‘During lockdown, we were all in it together. Zoom calls were so important in helping us to keep in touch with everyone,’ Ciara added.