Longing for family time with Logan

First time mum Claire Metcalf said the pandemic has made her feel very isolated – but says postnatal classes promoted by Blackburn with Darwen Council have been a lifeline.

Claire, 37, from Blackburn, gave birth to baby Logan in December but admits the lockdown restrictions has meant it hasn’t been the experience she’d expected.

Claire is taking part in Blackburn with Darwen Council’s ‘Picture This’ campaign – which features local people talking about the things they miss most due to Coronavirus.

The goal of the campaign is to remind us that we can all do our bit to control the spread of the virus, such as getting vaccination when we’re eligible and following the Government’s guidance.

Claire said she is looking forward to being able to spend quality time with her family, friends and son Logan.

Claire explains:

We did plan to have a family, but I wasn’t expecting it to be quite so isolating. Logan’s five months old now and hardly anyone’s seen him.

My parents have only met Logan three times. The first time was actually on Christmas Day when he was about two weeks old when the restrictions eased. It was a lovely moment to see them so they could actually hold him for the first time.

It will be nice obviously when things are lifted. He is their first grandchild as well as being my first child as well.

Claire said parent and child classes promoted by Blackburn with Darwen Council  and Re:Fresh Leisure offered her a chance to meet fellow mums in the same situation.

She has attended walk and talk groups, like the one run by Snowdrop Doula from Sunnyhurst Visitors Centre in Darwen, as well as swimming and sensory classes.

Getting out of the house and seeing other mums and speaking to them has actually been a bit of a breakaway from isolation, so it’s made a big difference.

To find out more about postnatal support available in Blackburn with Darwen through Re:Fresh visit https://refreshbwd.com/active/new-mums-and-young-families/

WATCH new mum Claire speaking about her pandemic pregnancy experiences:

Find out more about the Picture This campaign here.