'We were like a wee pack' - new mum tells of support in maternity ward during Covid crisis

Samantha Glenister was at first upset when, a few hours after the birth of their daughter Leia Addison at the ERI on April 22, her partner Gary had to leave in order to minimise the risks of Covid-19 exposure.

Due to an infection Ms Glenister, 31, had to stay in hospital for a few days, and she was daunted at the thought of being alone with three other new mothers sharing a room.

“I wanted my own room, I didn’t want to go in with the other mums,” the first-time mum said.

“I thought I’d be judged for not being experienced and not knowing what to do.”

But six days later Ms Glenister had bonded with the other mothers so much that she almost didn’t want to leave.

Because the mothers were not allowed visitors they were put together in order to reduce isolation, and this allowed them to form friendships and offer comfort and support to one another, Ms Glenister said.

While new mothers came and went depending on how long they needed to stay in hospital, each was welcomed and fitted in to the group.

“We were like a wee pack, it was really lovely. We could all really support each other,” said Ms Glenister.

As a first-time mum she was nervous about knowing how to care for her baby, but another woman taught her how to breast feed.

In return Ms Glenister, a former chef, gave the woman tips on meal preparation, as she had been worried about feeding her newborn along with three other children.

“Another woman’s baby would cry and she felt bad about it, but we all reassured her and told her we were in the same boat,” she said.

“There was a single mum who was a bit anxious, it was her first baby and she didn’t know how to change a nappy. And there was another mum who was nervous as she was an older mum in her 40s.

“So they supported each other and the more experienced mum taught the other one the easy way she’d developed over the years of changing a nappy.

“Covid definitely made it different, but we got to spend more time with the babies. The nurses even said the mums were less tired as we didn’t have to look good for visitors!

“On Friday evening we got extra tea and toast and we were talking and giggling about what we missed and saying ‘oh if only it was wine’. It was like a proper Friday night.”

Ms Glenister helped to hold other babies while the mums were in the shower, and developed a skilled technique of buttering and cutting toast for other mums while holding baby Leia in one hand.

She is still in touch with several of the other mums she spent time with in hospital, and they continue to offer each other support and advice