Michael is 6 weeks old and has the image of a father he hasn’t met yet. His baby was born at Holles Street Hospital in Dublin and lives with his mother at the Royal Hotel in Bray, Wicklow. It wasn’t a plan to introduce Michael to the world.
Under circumstances, Michael’s mother, Anastasia Zavgorodko, 32, was forced by Russian troops to invade and leave her husband, Jeveny, to flee her home in northeastern Ukraine. It was unpredictable that her new mother would give birth to her firstborn in Ireland without the support of her husband and her other family members.
“I am very pleased that Michael has arrived safely. I am very grateful for all the help I received from the Irish people,” said Zavgorodko.
“He looks like his father, from eye color to lips. When I was in labor, I was asked if I wanted to call him, but I said no. I didn’t want to offend him. He just sees me suffering and can’t help anything, so when I can show him my son I said I’d wait to call. That’s what I did. “
Michael is a happy, healthy and prosperous baby. Ms. Zavgorodko has embraced motherhood in the most difficult situations. But she misses her husband and all her family and friends.
She arrived in Ireland alone and was pregnant about three months ago. Now, over the course of a few weeks, she only wants to see her husband again. But she doesn’t really expect this to happen soon.
For the birth of Michael, she had a doula — a trained professional who provided emotional and physical support. “She was great, but it was very difficult for her to have no husband or family,” Zavgorodko said.
“I think this situation is much more difficult for my husband than I am. He wants nothing but seeing his son. And it’s very important that their bond meet as soon as possible. This is worrisome. I have to be a happy mother for my son. I can’t cry and mourn around him about this situation. I really miss and love and look forward to seeing my husband again But unfortunately I don’t think this will happen this year. “
If she didn’t have a new baby, Zavgorodko would return to Ukraine with a heartbeat to be with her husband. “If it was just me, I would come back with him. But I now have to think of the baby. It’s not safe.
“The woman we know recently gave birth to a baby in Ukraine. Russian soldiers gave him a birth record saying he was a Russian child, not a Ukrainian. It’s terrible. Ukraine was a much safer place for me and my son. I would like to thank everyone who helped and supported me, the maternity hospital, the Royal Hotel in Bray, and the people of Ukraine. I really appreciate your support. “
Her husband, Yevhenii, works at the Enerhodar nuclear power plant and does not participate in the war. I don’t have enough food to buy at the store, so my daily life is difficult. He was unable to contact his wife for the last two weeks because the telephone signal was cut off by the Russian army.
Under the emergency measures brought about by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, he must stay in Ukraine to protect his country.
Zavgorodko said: It would be great if there was such a special situation that would allow me to leave Ukraine for a month, come to Ireland, meet his son, and even return home. It’s a complicated situation. I don’t think I can meet her husband this year. “
She made friends with other Ukrainians who were temporarily detained at the Royal Hotel in Bray, and with other Ukrainians farther away, including other women who gave birth recently. She feels lucky to live in the seaside town of Wicklow, trying not to focus too much on what her uncertain future holds. “It’s beautiful here. I spend a lot of time walking with Michael. The Irish people were very kind,” said Zavgorodko.
Her sister, her sister’s family, and their parents live in the United States. Her sister, her sister’s husband and their three children fled Ukraine at the same time as Ms. Zavgorodko, but chose to join her parents in the United States, where they lived for 10 years.
“It’s great to be with my family in America, but if I go with Michael, I won’t arrive with him, so I don’t think my husband will be allowed in the future. That’s too far away. I can’t do that to him. I now have to put my husband and baby first, and I hope all of us will soon be together as a family. So far, Ireland is my hometown and I am grateful for that, “said Zavgorodko.