What's old is new again at Mater Mothers' Hospital
Wednesday 13 April 2022
The art of crochet is making a comeback as part of craft classes for patients at Mater Mothers’ Hospital, to help with the loneliness, anxiety and boredom of a long-term stay.
Brisbane mum-to-be Emma has had an anxious eight weeks after being diagnosed with PPROM (preterm pre-labour rupture of membranes) at just 26 weeks + five days into her pregnancy.
Her works of art now include crochet blankets for each of her unborn twins—due to arrive this week.
Mater Health Occupational Therapy Assistant Deidre Southam has been assisting Emma with her blankets and taught her a few sewing skills along the way.
“The aims and benefits of the classes are that the mums can often learn a new skill, make projects for their babies like the blankets or Snuggle Hearts,” Deidre said.
“It’s a form of stress management and social connection.”
The craft classes run on Tuesdays from 10.30 am to 11.30 am.
“Our classes are aimed at long-stay mums. They reap the rewards as they get to make more and bigger projects,” Deirdre said.
“Even mums on a short-term stay can often find the connection with other mums a good way to make the time pass.”
“We can adapt and change the activities as more people join,” she says.
Cooking classes are held on Wednesdays from 10.30 am to 11.30 am and there is a Mum’s Connect Group on Thursdays from 10.30 am to 11.30 am.
All classes are held in the patient lounge on Level 10 at Mater Mothers’ Hospital.
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