New mums and newborns celebrate Mother’s Day at hospital

Madeline Blakesley may have made a hasty and hurried arrival into the world, but she rewarded her mum with a quiet Mother’s Day in hospital.

ASHLEY Blakesley and her newborn Madeline enjoyed a quiet, sleepy Mother’s Day just four days after rushing to hospital in an ambulance for the birth.

Ms Blakesley said a cord prolapse followed by COVID-19 related questioning from ambulance staff made for a stressful birth, but she and her daughter were enjoying the special day at the Hobart Private Hospital.

“The hospital’s tried to make it special,” she said.

“They’ve given us a nice picture book and chocolates.”

She said she was “very happy” to spend Mother’s Day napping and bonding with her baby, but knew her two-and-a-half year old son Harrison was eager to meet his little sister.

“We’ve been able to do video calls and he’s excited,” she said.

“When he sees photos of Madeline he smiles.”

Ashley Blakesley, of Sandy Bay, with 4-day-old daughter Madeline at the Hobart Private hospital. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Ms Blakesley said she wasn’t allowed any visitors apart from her partner Robert, but understood restrictions were necessary.

“It’s not perfect, but it’s not the end of the world,” she said.

“We’re happy and grateful we’ve got Madeline and we’ve been cared for here.

“She’s very sleepy, and we’re grateful for that as well.”

She said her parents and Mr Blakesley’s parents would be able to meet their granddaughter soon, but they would hold off until the pandemic eased to let friends visit.

She said Madeline had settled well.

“She’s thriving for coming into this world in such an emergency,” she said.