Jesse Geerlings (pictured above) started the online group for mothers last year when she arrived in Townsville with her husband, baby and another one on the way. She wanted to create her own support network.

The group now has more than 100 mothers with babies born between November 2019 and January 2020 who, up until COVID-19, would regularly meet for play dates and boot camps.

Ms Geerlings said that all stopped overnight when strict social-distancing measures were brought in.

“It’s been hard not being able to meet up with the other mums and connect,” she said.

“Catching up really broke up the monotony of having two kids under two and was somewhere to vent and find support.”

After noticing how much they’d all been struggling with feeling cooped up at home and with little to no face-to-face connection or adult conversation, it was suggested a Zoom date be introduced to replace the real thing.

The only requirement was they show up with a stiff drink in hand.

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First-time mum Kayla Stephens said with both herself and her partner working FIFO, the late-night catch-ups had been a lifesaver when she was at home alone.

“You jump in your PJs, cosy up to a nice red wine and talk about your day,” Ms Stephens said.

“They are amazing and definitely help with the long days inside.

“We’ve found a lot of positives from COVID-19 and while it was horrible at the start, Mahina and I were quite fortunate to have met a lot of the mums from the group already.”

With restrictions now easing, the mums said they were looking forward to reinstating regular catch-ups and had already planned their Christmas party.

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Due to have her second child in August, Siahn Garvey said she expected restrictions to be further relaxed by then, which was a huge relief.

“COVID-19 has definitely brought on a level of uncertainty surrounding giving birth,” Ms Garvey said. “The current hospital restrictions only allow one visit per day for two hours, which is a huge barrier for me.

“I had a long and exhausting labour and I don’t know how I could possibly handle only having my partner there for two hours out of the day.”

Ms Garvey said despite COVID-19, there was plenty to look forward to as they grow their family.

“We have also managed to buy a house during all of this and we’d like to throw a house-warming party. It’s our first home so it’s a pretty big milestone for us and we’d love to have all our friends and family over for a barbecue.”