We cocooned for three months as we knew so little about Covid at that time
CHRISTINE Dunne Firmo’s son Leonardo ‘Leo’ was born on March 14, before Covid-19 restrictions were introduced.
‘He was born three weeks early. Everyone in Holles Street Hospital was doing their best. They had all the equipment and rules in place to manage the risk of Covid. However, I couldn’t dress him on the ward. We could take nothing with us and no visitors were allowed. Other mums were walking around, but I decided to stay in my cubicle with him because Covid had just reared its head. We knew so little about it then.’
Christine’s husband, Antonio, was allowed to be present for the labour and had to show a special card to access the maternity hospital. Once the couple brought the newborn infant home, mum and baby cocooned for three months.
‘For three months, we never left the house. My husband was the only one who would go out to get the shopping, then come home and change his clothes and have a shower. Even now, we try to be careful when we’re going out.’
While the Arklow mum has four older daughters, she admitted to struggling during this time at home.
‘I missed the support of my sisters. Leo is my first boy and I didn’t always know what to do even though I’ve four daughters. My sister and I were in touch using video calls, but it wasn’t the same as having her there. We are so strong together.’
Now almost six months old, baby Leo is a bubbly. easy-going baby, Christine said. She will return to work shortly and thinks ‘I’ll have some separation anxiety because he was on my chest for three months, morning and
night. But, he’ll be fine’.
While it was tough, Christine said her four daughters have been a great support to her and their new brother.
‘It was great to have the support of the kids and they all had time to bond with their brother. My eldest is the best big sister now, even though she wasn’t sure about having a baby brother at first.’
Christine said she encourages new mums to reach out to others if they need support.
‘I think mums can talk to each other and help. New mums can reach out to other mums who have been through a similar experience of giving birth during the Covid-19 lockdown. Being asked to stay indoors with a newborn is hard and mothers really need lots of support.’