New mum Pip Griffith with husband Josh and newborn daughter Niamh. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
KAREN COLTMAN
[email protected]
Just in time for Mother’s Day, Niamh came into the world at 10.10am on Friday at Wairarapa Hospital’s maternity ward.
Her Irish parents, Pip and Josh Griffith, were due to fly home but covid-19 kept them here and another New Zealander was born.
Experienced lead maternity carer Kate Wilson delivered the baby at the hospital and reports everything went well.
Wilson said during lockdown the number of home births went up significantly. She has managed 15 deliveries during Level 4 and Level 3 … so far.
“I normally have about 15 per cent home births but this went up to around 50 per cent,” Wilson said.
“It’s been nice to be at the home births and everyone has been accepting of the situation of family bubbles and extra hygiene.
“It’s been low key and calm.”
Wilson said Level 3 was nice for families who were able to extend their covid bubble so parents could introduce new arrivals.
“Many mums have been Skyping with their babies in the shot,” she said.
“And one good thing for the expecting mums is they have been working from home easily close to due date, which has been very nice for them and their partners.”
