Horsham mum Dianne Hornsby had to have an emergency caesarean during the COVID-19 lockdown after realising her baby wasn't moving. "I kept in contact with doctors through phone appointments but they didn't pick up the complications quickly," Mrs Hornsby said. "When I went to see my doctor I was in tears ... my baby had stopped growing." Mrs Hornsby rushed to the Wimmera Base Hospital in Horsham on May 26 where she gave birth to her daughter Madilyn Hornsby. Read more: "The hospital said to me you need to make a decision ... either your husband or mum can be with you," Mrs Hornsby said. "It was hard because I couldn't be with my mum and we are very close." Mrs Hornsby said she was impressed with the level of care at the hospital, but felt instantly isolated when she returned home. "Being stuck at home for a long period of time has affected my mental health," she said. "Because of the restrictions people were just a little uncertain if it was safe to visit me. She hasn't met a lot of the family still, and the Hornsby family is huge." Mrs Hornsby said she has been using telehealth services to speak with maternal and child health nurses. "It has been difficult to talk over the phone ... how can they make sure my baby weighs the right amount?" Mrs Hornsby said. "I am lucky because this is my third child and I have a supportive husband." In March Mrs Hornsby had to cancel her 100 guest wedding due to the COVID-19 restrictions. "We wanted to get married before Madilyn was born, so we decided to continue with the wedding and have no guests," Mrs Hornsby said. Mrs Hornsby has also been juggling a baby with work and homeschooling her eight-year-old daughter. "I am still really isolated because I am working from home and I can't even show her off to people," Mrs Hornsby said. "I do feel for first-time mums. I think the pandemic would make postnatal depression come on a lot quicker." While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox twice weekly from the Wimmera Mail-Times. To make sure you're up-to-date with all the news from across the Wimmera, sign up below.
"The hospital said to me you need to make a decision ... either your husband or mum can be with you," Mrs Hornsby said.
"It was hard because I couldn't be with my mum and we are very close."
BUNDLE OF JOY: Newborn baby Madilyn Hornsby. PICTURE: Sarah Goode Photography
Mrs Hornsby said she was impressed with the level of care at the hospital, but felt instantly isolated when she returned home.
"Being stuck at home for a long period of time has affected my mental health," she said.
"Because of the restrictions people were just a little uncertain if it was safe to visit me. She hasn't met a lot of the family still, and the Hornsby family is huge."
Mrs Hornsby said she has been using telehealth services to speak with maternal and child health nurses.
"It has been difficult to talk over the phone ... how can they make sure my baby weighs the right amount?" Mrs Hornsby said.
"I am lucky because this is my third child and I have a supportive husband."
WEDDING BELLS: Kris and Dianne Hornsby on their wedding day during lockdown. PICTURE: Sarah Goode Photography
In March Mrs Hornsby had to cancel her 100 guest wedding due to the COVID-19 restrictions.
"We wanted to get married before Madilyn was born, so we decided to continue with the wedding and have no guests," Mrs Hornsby said.
Mrs Hornsby has also been juggling a baby with work and homeschooling her eight-year-old daughter.
"I am still really isolated because I am working from home and I can't even show her off to people," Mrs Hornsby said.
"I do feel for first-time mums. I think the pandemic would make postnatal depression come on a lot quicker."
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox twice weekly from the Wimmera Mail-Times. To make sure you're up-to-date with all the news from across the Wimmera, sign up below.
