Dear Ireland... we can’t wait for you to meet little Finn
IN LATE February 2020, it was a joy to discover that we were expecting our first baby. However, almost simultaneously, the world seemed to change.
The initially distant threat of Covid started to become a reality. At a time when no-one really knew what to expect, it was worrying to be expecting.
In the early stages of pregnancy we were naturally very careful. My husband Chris would go shopping in the mornings and practically decontaminated everything the moment he got home. Shopping was a challenge. One day he returned with 24 toilet rolls – it felt like he had just brought home a gazelle from the savannah.
The first few weeks went by quickly. Luckily, restrictions in Sydney were not too harsh and Chris could come to doctor appointments and scans. It was incredible to see images of our baby and hear its heartbeat. I was grateful to have him there with me.
Initially, we thought we would fly back to have the baby at home in Ireland. However, quite early on our doctor told us it wouldn’t be advisable. It was a shock, but we came round to the idea of having the baby here in Sydney. It was made easier when we learnt that the midwife looking after us throughout the pregnancy was Irish too.
Weeks turned into months and we were all adapting to the new normal of working from home. This was ideal.
I didn’t have to worry about public transport or racing between buildings in heels when I was tired or nauseous. We are lucky to live by the beach and every day we would walk the promenade and talk about what was to come.
We were so excited to tell our parents and friends, but it was bittersweet. We would have loved to be at home to share such happy news.
We wanted to surprise them so I bought a T-shirt with “Due in October” printed on the front for our FaceTime calls. It was early in their morning and my mum was half asleep. I held the phone down and asked what they thought of my T-shirt. After a scramble for glasses they saw it and were overjoyed.
It’s a lovely memory. We found out other friends at home were expecting too.
It was special to have that connection even though we were far apart.
Nine months flew by. My due date came and I was all ready for the imminent arrival, but our baby had other ideas. A week went past and still no sign. I tried every natural remedy in the book – dates, raspberry leaf tea, acupuncture and constant walking, but still nothing.
Friends and family messaged daily, hoping for news. Nearly two weeks after my due date, just before an induction was scheduled, things started happening.
It might have been fate because, when we got to the hospital, we were told that our main midwife was from Kerry, just like my dad. She was lovely and talking to her throughout the day made it feel like we could have been at home. After a long labour, our amazing boy Finn arrived.
We called our parents and they were ecstatic. Even though we weren’t together, it felt like they were part of it all.
The first few days were a blur. We were inundated with messages and gifts and couldn’t quite believe we actually had a baby. We were overwhelmed with joy one minute and fear the next, all in a sleep-deprived haze.
Chris was incredible. He became a swaddling pro and developed a real talent for rocking and singing Finn to sleep. I loved those first few days, especially in the quiet of the night. I would just look at my son looking back at me, knowing I would do anything for him.
At home, there were lots of socially distanced celebrations in Finn’s honour. They had fireworks, Champagne and even a personalised banner.
Within the first few weeks, his great-grandmother had his picture on her mantelpiece. We would have loved to share in the celebrations but every call and message made us feel closer to home.
Finn is four months old now. He smiles, laughs and brings us joy every day. We call our families weekly and send them endless amounts of photos and videos. We expected to be home by now, but with flight restrictions in Australia and Irish lockdown, we decided to delay it.
I have different types of support here. I joined a mothers group with girls who all had babies around the same time as me.
Most of these mums come from across Australia and the UK. They don’t have family here either, so we navigate things together. We regularly meet up for playgroup and baby sensory classes, or even just for a walk or coffee.
My friends at home keep me company when I’m feeding in the middle of the night.
Then there’s Chris. I have loved seeing him become a dad. He does so much for us and Finn lights up when he sees him.
We are so grateful that Finn is thriving. We know Australia is the right place for us to be now, but we’re counting down the days until we can go home and finally introduce him to everyone.
Seeing him in their arms for the first time is going to be incredible and we can’t wait.
Nearly two weeks after due date, things started happening