A horrible time turned to ‘instant perfection’ for the Allman family when Imogen Joy was born.
Imogen arrived on 30 July this year, just weeks after the Victorian government plunged the state into lockdown.
Melanie Allman said although Imogen was a planned baby, the realisation that her third child would be born during restrictions was horrible.
“I was terrified – I wasn’t sure what was happening,” she said.
Melanie said it was fortunate that all her pregnancy appointments were moved from Casey Hospital to the Pakenham Health Centre.
The hospital visitor restrictions were pretty strict and meant Melanie’s husband Jake was only allowed to visit once a day when Imogen was born.
“He was allowed to visit once a day – he wasn’t allowed to come back,” she explained.
“It was pretty horrible.”
Imogen arrived via a planned c-section 15 days before her due date.
“It was a horrible time turned to instant perfection,” Melanie said.
However Imogen was born with a severe case of jaundice, which caused a bit of stress. Fortunately it cleared up three days after she was born.
Imogen has settled in well at her family’s Clyde home, where she is fussed over by her 8-year-old sister Ruby and 5-year-old brother Dylan.
“She’s a big part of our day to day lives,” Melanie said.
“My kids don’t walk past her without saying hello and trying to pick her up!”
Melanie said that home schooling was a bit of a struggle while she recovered from a c-section, especially as her husband was only at home for a couple of weeks before returning to work.
However, she said Ruby and Dylan’s school had been a great support, allowing them to come to school twice a week.
Melanie said getting to all the maternal health appointments had been a challenge as restrictions meant she was unable to take her two eldest children.
“I’m just lucky my parents don’t live too far away and have been able to help me out here and there,” she said.
Melanie’s brother had also helped on one occasion as he was off work due to the construction ban.
The biggest challenge for Melanie has been not having the same amount of support she did after having her first two children.
She has been looking forward to the removal of home visitor restrictions so that Imogen can finally meet many family members and friends.
